The Parental Alienation Syndrome and the Emerging Role of the Courts

Parental Alienation Syndrome (PAS) occurs when one parent unintentionally or intentionally influences a child to reject the other parent, often during or after a divorce. This can harm the child's relationship with the targeted parent. Courts are increasingly recognizing PAS and may evaluate cases to ensure decisions serve the child's best interests. They may involve mental health experts to assess dynamics and, if necessary, order actions like counseling or custody adjustments to protect the child's well-being and restore healthy parent-child relationships.