Parental Alienation in Maryland Custody Cases
Few allegations in family law are more emotionally charged than claims of parental alienation. Parents often describe feeling helpless as their relationship with their child begins to deteriorate. Phone calls go unanswered. Parenting time becomes increasingly difficult. A child who once enjoyed a close relationship with a parent suddenly becomes distant, angry, or resistant to spending time together. While every family situation is different, Maryland courts take seriously any conduct that interferes with a child's relationship with either parent.
Attorney Neveen Kurtom represents parents throughout Maryland in complex custody disputes involving allegations of parental alienation, gatekeeping behavior, interference with parenting time, and other conduct that may negatively affect the parent-child relationship.
What Is Parental Alienation?
The term "parental alienation" is commonly used to describe situations in which one parent engages in behavior that damages or undermines a child's relationship with the other parent.
Examples may include:
Repeatedly speaking negatively about the other parent in front of the child
Blaming the other parent for the divorce or separation
Interfering with communication between the child and the other parent
Refusing to facilitate court-ordered parenting time
Sharing inappropriate adult information with the child
Encouraging a child to reject the other parent
Creating loyalty conflicts that force a child to feel they must choose sides
In many cases, alienating behavior develops gradually over time and may not be immediately apparent to family members, teachers, therapists, or even the court.
Does Maryland Recognize Parental Alienation?
Maryland does not have a specific statute addressing parental alienation, and courts generally focus on the evidence of conduct rather than labels or diagnoses. The question is not whether a particular phrase applies to a family situation. The question is whether a parent's actions are harming the child's relationship with the other parent and affecting the child's best interests.
Because custody decisions are based upon the best interests of the child, courts may consider evidence that one parent is actively undermining the child's relationship with the other parent. Judges generally recognize that children benefit from having meaningful relationships with both parents whenever it is safe and appropriate.
Common Warning Signs of Alienating Behavior
Every custody case is unique, but certain patterns frequently appear in high-conflict parenting disputes. Potential warning signs may include:
Unexplained Rejection of a Parent
A child who previously enjoyed a healthy relationship with a parent suddenly refuses contact without a clear explanation.
Repeated Interference With Parenting Time
One parent consistently creates obstacles that make parenting time difficult or impossible.
Examples may include:
Last-minute cancellations
Failure to transport the child
Scheduling conflicting activities
Creating excuses to prevent visits
Communication Barriers
A parent may restrict or interfere with:
Telephone calls
Text messages
Video communication
School information
Medical information
Inappropriate Adult Discussions
Children should not be placed in the middle of adult disputes.
When a parent repeatedly discusses litigation, financial issues, or relationship conflicts with a child, the child may begin to feel pressure to align with one parent against the other.
What Maryland Judges Often Look For
In custody litigation, judges are often less concerned with accusations and more concerned with evidence.
Courts frequently look for:
Patterns of denied parenting time
Documentation of communication interference
School and medical records
Testimony from neutral witnesses
Custody evaluator findings
Evidence of a parent's willingness to support the child's relationship with the other parent
One of the most important questions in many custody cases is whether each parent is encouraging a healthy relationship between the child and the other parent. Parents are often surprised to learn that courts may view a parent's inability or unwillingness to foster that relationship as a significant factor in custody determinations.
What Evidence Can Be Helpful?
Successful cases are typically built on documentation rather than assumptions.
Helpful evidence may include:
Text messages
Emails
Parenting app communications
School records
Attendance records
Calendars documenting missed parenting time
Witness testimony
Therapy records when appropriate
Custody evaluation reports
Attorney Neveen Kurtom works with clients to organize and present evidence in a manner that allows the court to understand the full history of the parent-child relationship.
When a Child Refuses to Visit a Parent
One of the most difficult situations arises when a child refuses parenting time. Parents often assume that a child's refusal automatically means parental alienation is occurring. In reality, the situation is frequently more complex.
A child's resistance may result from:
Developmental issues
Anxiety
Family conflict
Loyalty conflicts
Communication problems
Legitimate concerns requiring investigation
For that reason, courts often examine the underlying cause of the child's behavior before drawing conclusions.
Attorney Neveen Kurtom helps parents evaluate these complicated situations and determine the most effective legal strategy moving forward.
Can Parental Alienation Affect Custody?
Potentially, yes. If the court determines that a parent's conduct is damaging the child's relationship with the other parent, the court may consider that conduct when making custody decisions.
Depending on the circumstances, courts may:
Modify parenting schedules
Adjust legal custody arrangements
Require counseling or family therapy
Order reunification services
Modify decision-making authority
Award attorney's fees in appropriate cases
Every case depends on its unique facts, the available evidence, and the overall best interests of the child.
Protecting Your Relationship With Your Child
Parents who believe they are experiencing alienating behavior often make the mistake of responding emotionally. Courts generally respond more favorably to parents who remain child-focused, document concerns carefully, comply with court orders, and seek appropriate legal remedies rather than escalating conflict.
Taking a strategic and measured approach can be critical to protecting both parental rights and the child's emotional well-being.
Why Families Turn to Neveen Kurtom
Cases involving allegations of parental alienation are rarely straightforward. They often involve years of conflict, competing narratives, and highly emotional testimony.
Attorney Neveen Kurtom understands how Maryland courts evaluate these cases and works closely with clients to develop practical strategies focused on protecting the parent-child relationship while keeping the child's best interests at the center of the case.
Whether the issue involves denied parenting time, communication interference, gatekeeping behavior, or a complete breakdown in the parent-child relationship, clients receive experienced representation tailored to the unique circumstances of their family.
Schedule a Consultation
If you believe your relationship with your child is being damaged by the actions of a co-parent, or if you have been accused of alienating behavior, contact the Law Office of Neveen Kurtom to discuss your options and develop a plan moving forward.