Syracuse Parental Alienation Lawyer

Tensions often run high when a couple decides to separate or divorce. Name-calling and accusations are not uncommon. One phrase that is often heard is "parental alienation." However, in New York, parental alienation is a legal term of art that, if proven, can have severe consequences on issues such as child custody and child support arrangements.

If you believe you need to assert this type of allegation or need to defend an accusation based on parental alienation, you should retain aggressive, experienced family counsel right away. At the Darwish Law Offices, P.C., we offer aggressive counsel for people throughout the Syracuse area. We understand how to confront the issue of parental alienation effectively and with an eye toward diffusing the situation and reaching a fair resolution.

The concept of parental alienation has been recognized as a legitimate concept in New York custody cases since the 1980s. New York family courts have held that a custodial parent's interference with the relationship between a child and a noncustodial parent is "an act so inconsistent with the best interests of the child as to per se raise a strong probability that the offending party is unfit to act as a custodial parent." More importantly, the custodial parent is not the only party who can commit parental alienation. The child or non-custodial parent can also demonstrate this behavior.

How Parental Alienation Claims Affect Child Custody

Are you a custodial parent who feels the non-custodial parent is not making an effort to maintain contact with your children? Are you are non-custodial parent who feels the custodial parent is blocking your attempts to maintain a relationship with the children? Are your children intentionally evading having contact with you?

In custody court, if you can prove parental alienation through an affirmative act of intentional deprivation of contact, this can flip or dramatically alter a custody agreement. Diane E. Darwish is a tenacious Syracuse parental alienation attorney who can help prove this in court in order to seek a modification of a custody arrangement.

We can help you pursue court intervention to have these acts of parental alienation recognized and action taken accordingly. We can help non-custodial parents block a petition if you feel you have been wrongfully accused and want to present evidence that you have reached out and attempted to spend time or have other contact with your child. We can prove parental alienation to have the court compel enforcement of a child custody order or modify the order to reflect this changed circumstance.

How Parental Alienation Claims Affect Child Support

In child support situations, if you can prove that parental alienation exists, it can result in the suspension or reduction of child support payments. If a child refuses to adhere to a visitation schedule or a non-custodial parent fails to maintain contact, support can be modifiable. It is important to note that the party who feels alienated makes the petition and the accused party may respond. We can help you compel support or have it modified to reflect the actual situation.

Although parental alienation syndrome is only recently gaining recognition in the Onondaga County family courts, the Darwish Law Offices, P.C., has litigated several cases. We will help you try and resolve the situation without court intervention, but if that option is not possible, we stand ready to zealously represent your interests before a family court judge.

Talk to an Onondaga County Child Custody Attorney About Your Situation

Contact our Syracuse family law office by calling 315-254-2226 or toll free 888-313-7045 to schedule a free consultation today with a New York divorce law attorney if you believe parental alienation exists. We are here to find the best way to help you confront this situation and exercise your legal rights and options.