Parental Alienation In Custody Cases
Protect Your Custody Rights In Your Child Custody Case
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Protect Your Parental Rights With A Child Custody Lawyer
Few things are more heartbreaking than watching your child pull away from you—especially when it’s not their choice. If you’re in the middle of a divorce or parenting dispute and you feel like your child is suddenly rejecting you without reason, you might be dealing with something more serious than just conflict: parental alienation.
At Chicago Family Attorneys, LLC, we help parents throughout Chicago and Cook County stand up to alienation and protect what matters most—their relationship with their children. Whether you're just starting to notice red flags or things have already spiraled, we’re here to help you take action.
What Is Parental Alienation?
Parental alienation happens when one parent—often during or after a breakup—starts manipulating a child into turning against the other parent. It can happen gradually or all at once. You might notice some of the following behavior from your child: a child refusing to visit, repeating angry words you’ve never said to them, or acting cold without any real explanation.
Common signs include:
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Speaking badly about you to the child
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Telling the child you don’t love them
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Blocking phone calls or cancelling visits
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Making the child feel guilty for spending time with you
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Exaggerating past conflicts or making false claims
It’s not just harmful—it’s emotional manipulation. And over time, it can permanently damage your bond with your child.
How Illinois Courts Handle Parental Alienation
In Illinois, courts take the emotional health of children seriously. Judges are required to make decisions based on the best interests of the child, and when one parent is interfering with a child’s relationship with the other, that can weigh heavily in custody decisions by Illinois statute.
If parental alienation is happening, the court might:
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Modify parenting time or custody arrangements
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Order therapy or reunification counseling
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Appoint a Guardian ad Litem to investigate
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Hold the alienating parent in contempt
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Reduce or supervise the alienating parent’s time
Courts in Cook County are especially alert to signs of manipulation. But you need strong evidence—and strong legal representation—to prove it. The attorneys at Chicago Family Attorneys, LLC can assist you in preserving your relationship with your child and fighting for your rights in your child custody case.
Should I Hire A Child Custody Lawyer?
We’ve handled custody disputes in courts throughout Chicago and suburban Cook County, from the Daley Center to Skokie, Maywood, and Markham. We’ve seen how damaging alienation can be, and we’ve helped parents fight back and win fair, lasting parenting arrangements to preserve their parenting time and relationships with their children.
Whether you’re a mother or a father, whether your child is five or fifteen, the key is acting early and acting strategically. By hiring the child custody attorneys at Chicago Family Attorneys, LLC, you are ensuring that your rights are protected and you are given the best legal representation in Chicago for your custody case.
How A Child Custody Lawyer Can Help You
You’re not alone. Many parents face this exact situation, and we’ve helped them take back control and rebuild trust with their children. Our clients know that they can count on Chicago Family Attorneys, LLC to assist them in their child custody case and to fight for their children.
We Gather The Right Evidence For Your Case
We work with you to collect text messages, emails, call logs, parenting time violations, and anything else that shows a pattern of interference. We help you build a case rooted in facts, not just emotion.
We File the Right Motions to Protect Your Parental Rights
Depending on your situation, we may ask the court to enforce your parenting plan, appoint an evaluator, or modify custody altogether. Every case is different, and we tailor your legal strategy to your exact needs.
We Move Work Quickly On Your Child Custody Case
If alienation is escalating quickly, we can seek emergency relief to stop the damage and preserve your relationship with your child.
Book A Free Consultation With A Child Custody Lawyer Today
Frequently Asked Questions About Parental Alienation In Custody Cases
What is parental alienation?
Parental alienation happens when one parent tries to damage or destroy the child’s relationship with the other parent—often through manipulation, false accusations, or constant negativity. Over time, the child may begin to reject the alienated parent without a valid reason, which can cause serious emotional harm and disrupt family bonds.
Is parental alienation illegal in Illinois?
Parental alienation is not a criminal offense, but Illinois courts treat it seriously in custody cases. If the court finds that one parent is emotionally manipulating a child or interfering with parenting time, it may take action such as modifying custody, ordering therapy, or even reducing the alienating parent’s time with the child.
How do I prove parental alienation in court?
To prove alienation, you’ll need documentation. This might include missed parenting time, texts or emails showing manipulation, statements from the child, or evidence that the child’s behavior has changed drastically without a valid reason. A judge may also appoint a Guardian ad Litem or custody evaluator to investigate the situation.
Can a parenting plan be changed because of alienation?
Yes. If a parent is actively alienating a child from the other parent, the court can modify the parenting plan. In serious cases, custody may be transferred, parenting time reduced, or other remedies ordered to protect the child’s emotional well-being and restore the parent-child relationship.
What should I do if I think my ex is alienating my child from me?
Don’t wait. Start documenting everything—missed visits, inappropriate comments, changes in your child’s behavior. Then speak with an experienced family law attorney who can help you take the right legal steps. The longer you wait, the harder it may be to repair the damage.
Can therapy help with parental alienation?
Yes, courts often order reunification therapy or family counseling in parental alienation cases. This can help the child understand what’s happening, restore trust, and improve communication between parents and children. A lawyer can request this type of therapy during custody litigation.
Can I get emergency custody if parental alienation is happening?
In some severe cases—especially if there’s emotional abuse or serious interference with the child’s health or safety—you may be able to file an emergency motion for custody. An attorney can review the facts and determine if emergency relief is appropriate.
Does parental alienation affect child support?
Not directly. Child support is based on income and parenting time percentages. However, if parenting time is significantly reduced or altered because of alienation, it could affect the amount of support ordered. More importantly, alienation can impact legal custody and visitation rights.
Do Illinois judges take parental alienation seriously?
Yes. Judges in Cook County and throughout Illinois understand the long-term harm caused by parental alienation. But they need evidence to act. With strong documentation and the right legal strategy, courts will intervene to stop the behavior and protect the child’s well-being.