Parental Responsibility, Parental Alienation, and Relocation
Sigal Belenson-Shafran Law Office
Family law in Israel has undergone a fundamental change: parents do not have a “right” over their children, but rather bear a legal, moral, and emotional responsibility to act in the best interests of the child. This responsibility accompanies the parent even during periods of separation and divorce – and places the child’s best interests at the center of every decision.
What is parental responsibility?
Parental responsibility is the duty of every parent to care for the well-being of their child – their education, health, safety and emotional needs.
When one of the parents violates this duty, opposes necessary treatment, incites the child or ignores stay-at-home orders, the court may intervene and take steps to enforce the responsibility, including appointing a legal guardian or a court-appointed social worker.
Parental alienation – when the child is torn between parents
Parental alienation occurs when one parent consciously or unconsciously influences the child to distance themselves from the other parent.
The result can be severe: the child adopts a negative attitude towards the other parent, refuses to meet him or her, and sometimes even completely disconnects – for no real reason. This is a destructive phenomenon that damages the child’s emotional security and identity.
How do you deal with parental alienation?
The courts and professionals work together to restore family balance:
through parental guidance, emotional therapy, court orders, and even the support of neutral professionals.
The goal is not to punish – but to restore both parents to the child , and to ensure that he grows up in a stable, loving, and healthy environment.
Moving residence
The Family Court and the Rabbinical Court have parallel authority to hear the matter of relocating minors.
In the rabbinical court, the issue should be related to the divorce lawsuit.
In claims for relocation of residence and/or immigration, permission from the judicial court to which one of the parties has applied is required.
In order to decide on these types of claims, the court or rabbinical court uses various experts such as psychologists, psychiatrists, and social workers who submit opinions and recommendations on their behalf in the best interests of the child.
Reliable and professional support in sensitive situations
In complex family processes, every decision affects the life of the child and the entire family. Professional, discreet, and experience-based guidance ensures that the process is managed with the required sensitivity and precision, while maintaining the child’s best interests, emotional balance, and protection of the parents’ rights. Extensive experience in understanding emotional and legal dynamics ensures customized solutions that provide peace of mind alongside a fair and considered outcome.
Areas of interest and specialization
Over the years of my work, I have acquired a deep interest and practical understanding of the intersections between law, emotion, and man .
My areas of interest focus on where the dry law meets the complex human reality—and on my ability to decipher what lies behind the legal conflict.
The combination of these fields allows me to bring a broad and in-depth perspective to each case , identify what is not said, and create precise and sensitive solutions – which advance the client not only legally, but also humanly
