If you’re a parent in New Jersey and you feel that your child is starting to turn against you—not because of anything you did, but because of what the other parent is saying or doing behind the scenes—
you may not be "just imagining things" as your ex may say.
You may not be “overreacting.”
And you’re not powerless.
I’m Steve Kaplan, 
a divorce and custody lawyer based in Colts Neck.
I’ve been handling high-conflict custody cases for over 37 years—many of them involving parental alienation.
I’ve seen parental alienation destroy parent-child relationships.
I’ve also seen parents fight back—and win.
What Is Parental Alienation?
It often starts small.
A comment here.
An eye-roll there.
Maybe your child says:
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“Mommy said you don’t care about me.”
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“Daddy told me you’re trying to take me away.”
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“I don’t want to go to your house anymore.”
It might be subtle… or it might be loud and obvious.
But over time, this kind of manipulation can cause serious damage:
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The child pulls away.
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Blames you for everything.
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Starts treating you like the enemy.
It’s a form of emotional abuse, and it is not okay.
Will a Judge Take It Seriously?
Yes—but not without proof.
Judges in New Jersey do understand parental alienation.
But what they need in order to be able to help you is evidence, not just emotion.
They want to see:
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Patterns of behavior
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Impact on the child
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Your efforts to stay connected
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That you’re the healthy parent trying to do the right thing
And that’s where many people struggle.
They know what’s happening…
But they don’t know how to respond—legally, strategically, or even emotionally.
That’s where I come in.
My Story With Alienation Cases
Over the years, I’ve worked with dozens of clients who were being shut out of their children’s lives—slowly, painfully, and unfairly.
Sometimes the alienator was slick and quiet.
Sometimes they were loud, aggressive, and obvious.
Either way, I’ve seen how devastating this is for good parents.
I’ve also seen how the right plan—with the right strategy—can sometimes turn things around.
It’s not easy.
But it is possible.
A Word About “Parental Alienation Syndrome”
Some people mention “PAS” — the theory developed by Dr. Richard Gardner, who was actually based right here in New Jersey.
But honestly?
You don’t need to toss around labels or controversy in court.
You just need to calmly and clearly show:
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What the other parent is doing
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How it’s hurting your child
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And how you’ve tried to stay connected, healthy, and present
Get My Best Help—For Free, Right Now
That’s partly why I created Steve Kaplan’s Divorce Course.
When you sign up, you’ll immediately receive: 📘 “Steve Kaplan’s Guide to Divorce in New Jersey” — a plain-English starting point that walks you through your options, rights, and next steps.
Then you’ll get:
Daily guidance on how to protect your kids, push back against alienation, and document your efforts effectively
Advice on how to stay sane and grounded when your ex is trying to wear you down
Tools to help you stay connected to your child—legally, emotionally, and practically
What You’ll Learn:
How to recognize alienating behavior before it escalates
What NOT to do when your child rejects you
What kinds of communication and documentation judges actually find helpful
How to build a custody case around stability, not accusations
What Other Parents Say:
“I thought I was losing my child for good. Steve helped me fight back—and I got to rebuild the relationship.”
—A.M.
“My ex was poisoning my daughter’s mind. Steve gave me tools that actually worked in court.”
—J.K.
“I didn’t even know it was called ‘alienation’—but once I started reading Steve’s materials, I finally understood what was happening.”
—R.C.
This May Be the Most Important Step You Take
You don’t necessarily have to go to war.
But you do need to be smart.
Just insert an email address into the form on this page to start the free course.
No name needed—just an email.
You’ll get the first article in minutes.
And if it’s not helpful, you can unsubscribe with one click.
But most people don’t.
Because when you’re facing parental alienation, real help matters.
Until next time,
—Steve
Steven J. Kaplan, Esq.
Specializing in Divorce & Custody in New Jersey
5 Professional Circle, Colts Neck, NJ 07722
(732) 845-9010