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Parental Alienation Solicitors

Parental alienation is a difficult situation to face, whether you believe you are being alienated from your children or have been accused of this by a former partner. Not all cases of parental alienation are done intentionally or maliciously, but whatever the situation, swift action is essential.

At Harrowells, our parental alienation solicitors can advise and support you in facing this robustly and constructively. We will tailor our approach to your situation, taking a tactful or tougher stance as required to protect your children and your relationship with them.

Tackling parental alienation via the legal system requires a particular set of skills and knowledge. We have the experience to help you each step of the way, including arranging for psychological assessments and drawing together all necessary evidence so you have the strongest possible case.

In cases concerning children, it is imperative to maintain parent and child relationships where physically possible but also to ensure their best interests are always met. The team have a strong track record for success and will tirelessly fight your corner to achieve the outcome you deserve.

Our skill and professionalism are recognised through a number of awards and accreditations, including the Legal 500, an independent annual assessment of the top law firms in the UK.

We are also proud to be recognised for our excellent client care and practice management through the Lexcel accreditation awarded by the Law Society. You can find out more about our client's experience working with us on our client testimonials page.

Contact our expert child law solicitors

We are physically based in Yorkshire, but we regularly assist clients throughout England and Wales because of our recognised expertise and effectiveness in advising on all aspects of family law.

We are very happy to hold a meeting with you by phone or video call, so please email advice@harrowells.co.uk to set up a meeting.

For more locally based clients, we can meet you at one of our network of offices across North and East Yorkshire in York, St Saviourgate, Clifton Moor, Haxby, Easingwold, Thirsk, Pocklington or Malton.

Our parental alienation services

Advice for parents suffering from parental alienation

If you are seeing signs of parental alienation, it can feel extremely upsetting. It is important that you seek legal assistance immediately to prevent matters from escalating further and ensure they can be swiftly resolved. Doing this helps to maintain the relationship you have with your child.

Working with the Harrowells team ensures that you will receive clear, practical advice and support on the suitable options available depending on your circumstances. We can help with anything from carrying out psychological assessments to gathering evidence of parental alienation.

Our solicitors have helped many parents experiencing parental alienation from all backgrounds, including those dealing with more complex and confrontational situations where court litigation is needed.

Advice for parents accused of parental alienation

If you are being accused of parental alienation by your child’s other parent, it can come as a shock and be extremely distressing. It’s not a situation to take lightly, and for this reason, it’s paramount to seek legal assistance at the earliest opportunity to clarify your legal position and the steps going forward.

Our child law solicitors are entirely aware of how upsetting and damaging this type of situation can be. When you choose to instruct us, we will take the time to fully understand the circumstances and then advise you of your legal options and how best to proceed to prevent matters from escalating further.

We always take a strategic approach to resolving parental alienation disputes, whether through negotiation or court proceedings.

Our parental alienation solicitors’ fees

From the start, we will clearly discuss how we can assist you, including the options available, the steps involved and the likely fees. We will walk you through our fees, making sure you understand the costs for each step. We have multiple funding options so you can decide which best suits you and your needs.

To find out more about our fees, see our family law fees page.

Please note: Harrowells is unable to offer legal aid.

Parental alienation explained

What is parental alienation?

Parental alienation occurs when a child becomes estranged from one parent as a consequence of manipulation by the other parent. This manipulation may be deliberate and unjustified but in some instances it can also be unintentional. The term ‘parental alienation syndrome’ is also sometimes used.

There are many different reasons why parental alienation can happen, but in all cases, the practical and emotional consequences can be very hard to bear.

What are the signs of parental alienation syndrome?

Parental alienation syndrome can be quite easy to spot, particularly when the signs are consistent. It usually occurs to the parent that the child doesn’t primarily live with (the ‘non-resident parent’). Some typical examples of parental alienation syndrome signs include:

Contact with the child being cancelled or refused
The child’s communication with one parent is entirely controlled by the other parent
The child becoming withdrawn/distant from their parent for no particular reason
The child becoming hostile toward the parent’s family and friends
The child displays negative views towards the parent
The child siding with one parent no matter what happens
The child repeating the other parent’s words, even when they are unaware of the meaning
Making untrue allegations about the parent

Is parental alienation a crime?

While many people argue that it should be a crime, recognised as a form of child abuse, parental alienation is not considered a crime in England and Wales, unlike it is in many other countries.

What can be done about parental alienation?

If you are facing parental alienation from your child’s other parent, the first step you should take in an attempt to prevent matters from escalating further is to contact a professional who can provide legal advice on your position and what should be done.

Some parental alienation situations may need immediate assistance, particularly where there could be a safeguarding issue. It is possible to make an urgent application to the court, which will make a final decision based on facts and evidence. When the court makes a decision concerning parental alienation, it will always be based on the best interest of the child – their welfare will be prioritised above all else.

Depending on the severity of the situation, the court may feel inclined to take a different approach to solve the problem. This could be by placing the child into the non-resident parent’s care primarily.

How can parental alienation be proved?

Unfortunately, parental alienation can be extremely difficult to prove, but this doesn’t mean that it is impossible. Should the parental alienation issue require court proceedings for a resolution, a psychologist may be appointed to assess the child and the parents, both separately and together. Their assessment of the matter will be presented to the court and contribute to the final decision.