Parental Alienation Doctrine

The Parental Alienation Doctrine refers to a legal principle where a court recognizes that one parent may intentionally, or unintentionally, influence a child to reject or distance themselves from the other parent. This is often seen in custody disputes, where manipulative behaviors or false information are used to undermine the relationship between the child and the non-custodial parent. Courts aim to protect the child's best interests by addressing such alienation, which can harm the child's emotional well-being and their relationship with both parents. The doctrine underscores the importance of maintaining healthy parent-child relationships free from undue influence.