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 South Carolina, 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 cases. If one parent is found to be engaging in behavior that manipulates a child's feelings to turn them against the other parent, this can be seen as detrimental to the child's emotional well-being. Evidence of parental alienation may lead a court to modify existing custody arrangements or influence the determination of custody and visitation rights. South Carolina does not have a specific statute that defines parental alienation, but case law and the discretion of the courts allow for consideration of any behavior that could harm the child's relationship with either parent. An attorney can provide guidance on how allegations of parental alienation might be addressed in a particular case.