Occasionally a family law firm lawyer in Newberg, OR, may have a client dealing with a problem that psychologists call malicious parent syndrome. Spouses are getting divorced, and one spouse has become vengeful toward the other. This results in repeated attempts to disrupt the relationship between the other spouse and the couple’s children.
Court-Ordered Visitation
Visitation is typically court-ordered, so a parent who repeatedly blocks visitation can be held in contempt. A family law firm lawyer in Newberg, OR, may bring the problem before a judge after accumulating evidence that this has been occurring. A judge might levy a fine or order psychological counseling.
Other Malicious Actions
Other malicious actions may be more difficult to stop. For example, the custodial parent may tell lies to the children regarding their other parent. The youngsters may start viewing Mom or Dad in a negative light if they hear that this person no longer cares about them or plans to move far away. Sometimes the custodial parent lies to the other about when a child’s school activities are scheduled so that the noncustodial parent is never there.
Petitioning for a Change in Custody
The parent who is being kept out of the children’s lives may begin considering petitioning the court for a change in custody so the relationship is not destroyed. An experienced lawyer can help. There is no reason that the custodial parent should be allowed to damage the relationship in these ways.