South Dakota Parental Alienation Lawyer

Experienced Family Law Attorneys Brookings, SD

Parental alienation is a situation in which one parent tries to alienate a child from his or her other parent by brainwashing the child into holding negative feelings or opinions towards that parent. This can occur when a parent tries to manipulate his or her children's emotions, convincing them that their other parent does not love them or want to spend time with them. Blaming a divorce or separation on the other parent is also a form of parental alienation, as it may influence the opinion a child may have.

Parents often use parental alienation to gain control during a divorce or child custody hearing. When a child expresses his or her disinterest in spending time or maintaining a relationship with the other parent, the judge my severely limit the visitation time the other parent receives.

Signs of Parental Alienation

There are many signs which may indicate that your child is being brainwashed by his or her other parent:

  • Your child is becoming more and more distant
  • Your child wishes to spend less time with you
  • Your child has started to blame you for the divorce or separation
  • Your child seems angry at you all the time
  • Your relationship with your child is becoming strained
  • Some of the things your child is saying sound too "adult" for his or her vocabulary. This may be a sign that your child is simply reiterating something the other parent has said

If you think your child is a victim of parental alienation, an experienced South Dakota family law attorney at Helsper, McCarty and Rasmussen Law Firm can be of assistance. It is important to stop parental alienation as quickly as possible, as it can undoubtedly have a lasting negative impact on your child's future.

Contact a South Dakota lawyer at Helsper, McCarty and Rasmussen Law Firm.