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 Pennsylvania, 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. When evidence of parental alienation is presented, the court may view it as detrimental to the child's emotional and psychological well-being. This can influence the court's determination of both legal and physical custody. If a judge finds that one parent is engaging in behavior that constitutes parental alienation, it could lead to a modification of existing custody orders to protect the child's relationship with both parents. The court may also order counseling or parenting classes to address the issue. It's important to note that allegations of parental alienation must be substantiated with credible evidence, and the court will carefully scrutinize such claims to ensure that the child's welfare is being prioritized.