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Malicious treatment may call for custody order modification

On Behalf of | Jun 12, 2015 | Fathers' Rights |

A divorce involving children can be fraught with conflicts. It is typically in a child’s best interest if his or her parents are civil to one another and adhere to the terms of the child custody order.

Unfortunately, things do not always work out this way. In fact, a custodial parent may try to retaliate against the other parent by withholding visitation or in other ways. When mothers are issued custodial rights, it can be the fathers who are on the receiving end of the retaliatory behavior.

The term “Malicious Parent Syndrome” refers to a pattern of behavior in which a parent may in some way involve a child to punish the other parent. For example, a parent exhibiting signs of Malicious Parent Syndrome may obstruct the other parent from having contact with the child, in spite of the terms of the custody order.

A malicious parent may attempt to alienate the child from the other parent. This may be done by using the courts or other people in ways that create separation between the parent and child. A malicious parent may lie to a child about the other parent in an attempt to drive an emotional wedge between the two.

Other actions that indicate Malicious Parent Syndrome may even be destructive or violent in nature. If you believe your ex-spouse has been acting in a malicious manner that is damaging your relationship with your child, you may wish to seek the services of a Texas child custody attorney.

The attorney could evaluate your situation and recommend a possible course of action. Given the circumstances, you might be able to get your child custody order modified, obtain supervised visitation or even request that the court order your spouse to undergo counseling.

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