Parental alienation is a parent’s use of psychological manipulation to turn a child or children against the other parent. This toxic behavior is damaging and may cause long term problems for the child as well as the parents. Courts take evidence of parental alienation seriously and may consider it in making or modifying child custody arrangements.
In Oklahoma, parental alienation is recognized as a serious issue that can impact child custody decisions. The state's family courts consider the best interests of the child as the paramount concern in custody matters. If one parent is found to be engaging in behavior that manipulates a child's feelings toward the other parent, thereby causing alienation, the court may view this negatively. Evidence of parental alienation can lead to a modification of custody and visitation arrangements to protect the child's emotional well-being. Oklahoma statutes and case law provide guidance to courts on how to handle allegations of parental alienation, and an attorney can help navigate the specifics of presenting such evidence in court.