New York City Parental Alienation Attorney

Parental Alienation Cases in New York City

Child custody disputes can create a tremendous amount of stress for everyone involved, including the parents, attorneys, and especially the children, which is why it’s so important to hire a knowledgeable and experienced New York City parental alienation attorney if you feel your child is being manipulated.

Because custody disputes are often long winded and expensive, they can lead to a lot of mental health issues. Unfortunately, sometimes the disputes continue to go on even after a ruling is decided. Children sandwiched in the middle of a custody battle are usually the ones who suffer the most. It is not uncommon for one parent to feel resentful toward the other.

Meet Attorney Vivien Stark

Founding Attorney

Vivien Stark is a skilled New York City divorce and family law attorney with over 30 years of experience helping clients navigate complex legal matters. Her practice includes all areas of matrimonial and family law, such as prenuptial and separation agreements, actions for separation, annulment, and both contested and uncontested divorce.

She also handles matters involving child support, custody, visitation, paternity, relocation, orders of protection, and other proceedings in the Family and Supreme Courts of New York City.

Ms. Stark strives to achieve amicable resolutions whenever possible but is fully prepared to advocate aggressively in court when necessary. She proudly represents clients throughout all five boroughs of New York City.

Call Vivien Stark today at (646) 960-8260 to schedule a confidential consultation.

Call a Skilled New York City Parental Alienation Lawyer Today

At the Law Offices of Vivien I. Stark, our experienced New York City divorce attorneys are ready to help you through every step of the divorce process. Whether your case is straightforward or involves complex, high-conflict issues, we have the knowledge and resources to protect your interests and guide you toward a better future. Call us today at (646) 960-8260 or send us an email to schedule a confidential consultation with our dedicated legal team.

What is Parental Alienation in NYC?

Parental alienation is when one parent purposefully manipulates the child’s relationship with the other parent. For instance, when one parent claims the other is causing the child to want to spend less time with them. One parent could say to the child, “the other parent doesn’t want to see you,” or some other type of language which insinuates that the parent doesn’t “love” him or her. As you can imagine, this can be incredibly stressful on the child and can lead to feelings of alienation and confusion. Occasionally, this can cause the child to develop Parental Alienation Syndrome. Though this syndrome is not officially recognized as a defense by the courts, it does explain the mental damage this type of behavior can cause.

In New York City alienation cases, the courts work with parents to try and remedy the situation for the child’s best interest. The courts first need to determine why the child is being alienated and the best way to resolve the situation. In mild cases, the court may rule that the child needs to see a therapist and that the visitation schedule needs to be changed. The court may rule that the child needs to spend more time with the alienated parent.

Is Parental Alienation Abuse?

In more severe cases, the judge may consider this a form of abuse and completely remove the child from the home of the alienating parent. It is usually in the court’s opinion that the alienating parent does not show remorse and will continue to use the child to cause alienation of the other parent unless drastic measures are taken. tThe court will usually opt to do a psychiatric evaluation before proceeding. The court always tries its best to mediate the situation in a fair way, but in some cases, a complete overhaul of the custody ruling is necessary.

When addressing an alienation case, it is important to remedy the situation with the help of a New York City parental alienation lawyer as soon as possible to avoid further damage to the child. Unfortunately, courts are not always hasty to attend to these cases. Alienation cases can become very complex and lengthy because they have so many different components. It is always best to seek a competent attorney experienced in alienation cases. New York City divorce attorneys can get your case heard in court quickly and will fight for the rights of you and your child.

How Does the New York Court Handle Parental Alienation Claims?

When parental alienation is raised in a New York family court, the judge’s primary concern is the best interests of the child. The court will not automatically assume alienation is taking place simply because one parent claims it. Instead, the judge will evaluate the circumstances, review evidence, and may appoint professionals to investigate the situation further. New York courts generally take a three-step approach when addressing parental alienation:

• Identifying the behavior: The court will carefully examine statements and behaviors from both parents. This may include reviewing communication records, observing parent-child interactions, and considering whether one parent has made repeated negative comments about the other without justification.
• Determining intent and impact: The court distinguishes between legitimate concerns, such as claims of abuse or neglect, and attempts to influence a child’s emotions for personal gain. If the court finds that one parent is intentionally trying to interfere with the child’s bond with the other parent, it may take this seriously, especially if the interference is ongoing.
• Developing a remedy: If alienation is confirmed, the court may order steps intended to restore the damaged relationship. These actions may include therapeutic interventions for the child and the parents, parenting classes or co-parenting counseling, modifying custody or visitation schedules, or, in severe situations, changing primary custody to protect the child from emotional harm.

Courts in New York understand how deeply harmful alienation can be and will intervene when there is credible evidence that the behavior is undermining a child’s emotional well-being.

How Do You Prove Parental Alienation?

Proving parental alienation can be challenging because it often occurs in private and can be subtle. However, there are specific signs and forms of documentation that can help demonstrate that one parent is actively damaging the child’s relationship with the other. To prove alienation, your attorney may help gather:

• Text messages, emails, or recorded statements where one parent speaks negatively about the other or attempts to prevent contact
• Therapist or counselor reports that identify sudden or unexplained hostility from the child toward a parent
• Testimony from teachers, relatives, or close family friends who observed behavioral changes in the child
• Proof of interference with visitation, such as consistently canceled parenting time, refusing phone calls, or making the child unavailable without a valid reason
• Evidence of repeated false allegations, such as accusations of abuse that have been investigated and disproven

Courts understand that a child may resist spending time with a parent for many reasons unrelated to alienation. However, when there is a pattern of manipulation, especially if the child’s negative feelings appear sudden, intense, and without basis, this can be an indication of parental alienation. Working with an experienced New York City parental alienation attorney is crucial, as they know what evidence is most compelling in custody hearings.

When Should You Consult with a New York City Parental Alienation Attorney?

You should consider consulting an attorney as soon as you notice signs that your child’s relationship with you is changing for reasons that seem manufactured or influenced. Early legal action is crucial because the longer alienation goes unaddressed, the more deeply rooted the emotional harm can become. You should speak with a parental alienation lawyer if:

• Your child suddenly expresses fear, anger, or rejection that does not match your history or relationship
• Your co-parent consistently blocks phone calls, visits, or communication
• Your co-parent makes accusations against you that you believe are exaggerated or untrue
• You feel powerless in your attempts to maintain a healthy relationship with your child

A skilled attorney can help you protect your parental rights, gather the necessary evidence, and request court intervention when appropriate. Addressing these issues early can prevent lasting emotional damage to your child and preserve your ability to remain actively involved in their life.

Testimonials

“Vivien does the work so you get results”

“Family law is a long drawn out ordeal. Vivien cuts through so much of the B.S. She’s often the only one in the room behaving like an adult. You want to get the bickering over and move on with your life. you need Vivien with you, guiding the way and handling the details”

-Jeffrey R.

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“My experience with Vivien and her staff exceeded my expectations.”

“She has 30+ years of experience and is adept at navigating the confusing court system. She responds promptly with professionalism, patience, takes detailed notes so she is always prepared.”

-Trisha K.

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“I highly and enthusiastically recommend Vivien! I am truly so grateful for her.”

“Vivien helped me navigate in an uncertain & unprecedented situation with care, compassion, and with the highest professional quality.”

-Paul A.

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Areas We Serve

Our experienced New York City divorce attorneys proudly serve the following neighborhoods:

Manhattan | Brooklyn | Queens | The Bronx | Staten Island | Upper East Side | Upper West Side | Midtown | Lower Manhattan | Financial District | Tribeca | SoHo | Chelsea | Greenwich Village | East Village | Harlem | Washington Heights | Inwood | Williamsburg | Greenpoint | Bushwick | Park Slope | Dumbo | Downtown Brooklyn | Long Island City | Astoria | Flushing | Forest Hills | Jackson Heights | Riverdale | Fordham | Pelham Bay | St. George | Tottenville | New Dorp | Bay Ridge | Bensonhurst | Coney Island

Contact a New York City Parental Alienation Attorney Today

If you suspect your child is in the middle of a parental alienation situation, contact the Law Office of Vivien I. Stark, P.C. today. Vivien has over 30 years of experience in family and divorce law, and she specializes in several areas of practice. She will get your case heard as soon as possible and will fight for the best interests of your child at all times. Vivien I. Stark serves the five boroughs of New York City and the surrounding communities. She is a fierce advocate for her clients. She has also been recognized by Avvo as a top contributor and divorce attorney with superb ratings and is an accredited member of the Better Business Bureau.

To discuss your needs, please contact us online or call us at (212) 349-1600 to schedule an in office or telephone consultation.