In this blog we at PsychLaw.net will use a vignette throughout to illustrate the planning, preparation and presentation of a case based upon parental alienation syndrome behaviors. The vignette will encompass a criminal, custody and licensure case. Where significant marital assets and/or clients with professional backgrounds are involved, counsel must anticipate a “three ringed circus.”
David Connelly and his ex-wife Susan arrive for their appointment with counsel. David is a 60-year-old CEO in manufacturing. Susan moved to Massachusetts after they amicably split, and she now works as a pharmaceutical representative. David and Susan have come to the appointment together because their son Richard has been arrested for physical abuse and criminal neglect of a minor. Richard has recently graduated with a master’s degree in social work from an expensive university and opened a private clinic. His soon-to-be ex-wife Jane is a high school teacher who has gone to divorce court and based on the arrest, secured a restraining order to keep Richard out of his home and away from Adrian, their 3-year-old daughter. The child has a vivid welt on the right side of her face and a black eye. Jane has pictures and she’s posted them on her Facebook page. The Connellys inform the council that, because of the arrest, the Board of Social Work and Richard’s malpractice insurance carrier have advised him that he may not see clients until the criminal charges are resolved. This is particularly galling for David and Susan, because when Richard graduated, they helped him buy a building so that Richard could establish the clinic with two partners. One false allegation and Richard has lost his home, his daughter, his marriage, his clinic, and as Jane’s attorney claims that the building in which the clinic is located is a marital asset – Jane wants that too. Not only is there a criminal case to fight, but Richard must also fight in divorce court, with Children’s Protective Services (CPS), with the Social Work Licensure Board, and with his malpractice carrier. With tears in his eyes, David exclaims that Richard would never hurt Adrian, takes out his checkbook, and begs counsel to save his son and only grandchild.