Houston Parental Alienation Lawyer

By attorney Travis Thompson

The typical Court Order in a child custody case (for both divorce and non-divorce cases) will include provisions allocating each parent’s possession periods with the child. A parent has the legal right and expectation that the child will be with that parent during that parent’s periods of court-ordered possession.  

• But what about the situation where the child refuses to go with the other parent, or be with the other parent, during that parent’s court-ordered possession period?
• What can be done when one parent appears to be undermining the court-ordered parenting time schedule and rupturing the child’s relationship with the other parent?  

Over time, many psychologists and others who work in the field of family law have come to recognize a process of behavior in which a parent undertakes a strategy of turning the child against the other parent.  This process has come to be known and defined as Parental Alienation.

What Is Parental Alienation?

Basically, parental alienation is a process where a parent manipulates a child into refusing to have a relationship with the other parent. Parental alienation occurs when a child becomes aligned with one parent and rejects the other parent without legitimate justification, often due to manipulation and psychological pressure.  The damage from parental alienation can devastate families and harm children for years to come. 

Warning Signs Of Parental Alienation

Several behavioral patterns may indicate that parental alienation is occurring within your family situation:

• The child suddenly refuses to spend time with the targeted parent without a reasonable explanation;
• The child uses adult language or concepts when describing conflicts between parents;
• The child makes false accusations against the targeted parent that mirror the alienating parent’s complaints;
• The child refuses to accept gifts, calls or communications from the targeted parent;
• The child expresses hatred for the targeted parent’s extended family members and friends.

These behaviors often develop gradually and may intensify over time without proper intervention and legal action.

Legal Remedies And Court Intervention

Family Courts take parental alienation seriously when properly documented and presented through experienced legal representation. Legal remedies may include modified custody arrangements, court-ordered therapy, parenting classes and, in severe cases, changes in primary custody to protect the child’s relationship with both parents. Documentation becomes critical for successful court intervention, including maintaining records of missed visits and changes in your child’s behavior.

Contact Travis Thompson at Law Thompson, P.C. For Parental Alienation Help

Attorney Travis Thompson understands the devastating impact that parental alienation can have on both parents and children. As an experienced  and respected family law specialist in the metropolitan Houston area, attorney Travis Thompson has accumulated over 3 decades of experience working diligently to protect parent-child relationships and help families heal from the trauma of alienating behaviors while pursuing legal remedies through the court system.

If you are located in Houston or its surrounding areas, and suspect parental alienation is damaging your relationship, contact Law Thompson, P.C. today for experienced legal representation.

Attorney Travis Thompson and his professional staff can evaluate your situation and develop strategies to protect your parental rights while working to restore your relationship with your child. Call us at  281-369-8665or reach out through our online contact form to schedule your confidential consultation.