ILLINOIS DIVORCE LAW BLOG

Articles Posted in Parental Alienation

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Parental alienation is often described in terms of three levels or degrees, which reflect the severity of the alienating behaviors and their impact on the child’s relationship with the targeted parent. These levels were notably outlined by  experts like Dr. Amy J. L. Baker. Here’s a breakdown:
  1. Mild Parental Alienation
    • Description: The child exhibits mild resistance or reluctance to spend time with the targeted parent but still maintains a relationship. The alienating parent may subtly undermine the other parent through occasional negative comments, scheduling conflicts, or mild interference.
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Michael Roe has for many years focused a significant part of his practice on Child Custody issues, including Parental Alienation cases. Few lawyers nationally have the background, experience, and dedication to this critical issue in Family Law.  As a long term member of PASG, our firm already looks forward to the PASG meeting this year, with details below.
One Definition of Parental Alienation:
Parental alienation refers to a situation in which one parent intentionally or unintentionally manipulates a child to reject, fear, or distance themselves from the other parent without legitimate justification. This behavior often involves actions such as badmouthing the other parent, limiting contact, making false allegations, or coaching the child to adopt negative views about the targeted parent. In Illinois, parental alienation is considered a form of emotional abuse because it harms the child’s psychological well-being and undermines the child’s relationship with both parents. Illinois courts prioritize the best interests of the child in custody and parenting time decisions, and evidence of parental alienation can significantly influence these outcomes.
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It’s always interesting to read the famous Illinois Supreme Court case of In re Marriage of Bates, 212 Ill. 2d 489. As a younger lawyer I was an attorney on this case, and later was subpoenaed by the trial counsel to testify in the case as an expert knowledgeable in the field of Parental Alienation studies. This case is a landmark case in the area of Parental Alienation, as Illinois recognized Parental Alienation as a factor in a child custody decision.

—-Comments from the Court—-

“E, as proponent of the PAS testimony, proffered three expert witnesses and 136 articles from peer-reviewed publications as exhibits.

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Signs of parental alienation include: badmouthing the other parent, limiting contact with the alienated parent, interfering with communication, forcing the child to choose sides, creating a perception of danger from the alienated parent, asking the child to keep secrets, referring to the alienated parent by their first name, withholding important information, changing the child’s name to distance them from the alienated parent, cultivating dependency in the child, and the child exhibiting a lack of ambivalence or guilt towards the alienated parent, often claiming their negative feelings are their own choice (“independent thinker phenomenon”) while supporting the alienating parent excessively. 

Key points to remember:
  • Negative campaign:
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PSYFORIS-Logo-PASG-300x168

Parental Alienation Study Group, Inc (PASG), is a nonprofit international organization of mental health professionals, legal professionals, targeted parents and grandparents, and child and family advocates who are interested in the study of parental alienation. 

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Quick Question: What is Parental Alienation?

Parental alienation refers to a situation where one parent deliberately influences their child to reject, fear, or show hostility toward the other parent. This can happen through manipulation, badmouthing the other parent, or restricting contact between the child and the other parent. The goal of the alienating parent is often to damage the child’s relationship with the other parent, often during or after a divorce or separation.

PDAN
Parental alienation can have serious emotional and psychological impacts on children. It can distort their understanding of family dynamics and cause long-term issues like anxiety, depression, and relationship difficulties. It is also harmful to the parent who is being alienated, as it disrupts their relationship with their child.

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Reunification therapy is a specialized form of therapy that focuses on repairing relationships between estranged family members. It is often used in cases of parental alienation, high conflict divorce, or other situations where family bonds between parents and children have been damaged.

The goal of reunification therapy is to:

  • Rebuild trust: Help family members rebuild trust and communication.
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How do you know it is parental alienation—and not justified rejection and estrangement?

In a case where a child rejects contact with a parent, a psychological evaluator or skilled GAL can determine if the rejection is unwarranted, which is called parental alienation, by making a thorough investigation of the empirical facts over time. If the child has a legitimate reason to reject a parent, it is called estrangement. There are in my experience cases where both factors can exist: a targeted parent is being alienated and then acts in negative ways with the child that solidify the estrangement.

An evaluator can use the Five-Factor Model to identify and diagnose parental alienation. If the answer, after thorough and qualified investigation, to all five questions below is yes, it is most probably a case of moderate or severe parental alienation.

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