Spivak Law Firm

Based in Pittsburgh, PA

412-344-4900

Spivak Law Firm is BBB Accredited

Bethel Park Custody Lawyer

Common Divorce Myths

When it comes to divorce, many common beliefs are accepted as truths. However, the process of divorce is incredibly complex and every case is unique.

Here are some of the most common divorce myths and why they aren’t always true:

  1. Mom always gets custody: In Pennsylvania, the law does not favor either parent for custody. The judge is required to look at what is in the child’s best interest.
  2. Only women get alimony: Historically, women have been awarded spousal support or alimony more often than men. As more women enter the workplace and change gender roles, it is becoming more common for men to receive some form of alimony. Alimony is generally awarded to the lower earning spouse when there is a significant disparity in incomes.
  3. I don’t need a divorce lawyer: Even if you are on good enough terms with your spouse going into the divorce, you need to make sure you have someone in your corner who is going to ensure your rights are protected.

Spivak Law Firm handles all areas of family law, including: divorce, child custody, child support, and PFA hearings. To speak with an experienced family law attorney, call Spivak Law Firm at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.

Child Custody: Nesting

Divorce is a difficult process and the children of divorced parents often find themselves caught up in a situation over which they have little control.

They also have to contend with the idea that their everyday lives will change, whether that is not seeing one of their parents on a daily basis or moving to a different house or location.

Nesting is a new idea in the arena of child-custody arrangements. The children stay in the home while the parents are the ones who leave and return. This allows the children to stay in the home and provides the children with a feeling of permanence. This sense of routine can be helpful to the children at a time of change and turbulence.

Spivak Law Firm handles all areas of family law, including: child custody, child support, divorce, spousal support, and Protection From Abuse (PFA). To speak with an experienced child-custody attorney, call Spivak Law Firm at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.

Penalties for Failing to Appear in Court

If you’ve been sued for child custody, you must attend all scheduled court appearances. The following are potential consequences for failing to appear:

  • The court may hold you in contempt for violation of a court order;
  • The court may dismiss your case;
  • The court may rule in favor of the other party.

Custody litigation is often time-consuming and stressful. Spivak Law Firm understands that many parents have busy work schedules that do not allow them to appear in court. There are some court appearances that your attorney may be able to attend on your behalf.

Spivak Law Firm handles all family law matters, including: divorce, child custody child support, spousal support, and PFAs. To schedule a consultation, call Spivak Law Firm at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.

Is Your Ex Always Late At Custody Exchanges

Is your ex routinely late for custody exchanges? Does it affect your own plans with the children? Does it make your blood boil and spark arguments?

Well, there may be an easy fix to solve the problem.

For instance, instead of meeting halfway, you might seek a custody order that requires the person coming into custody to provide all the transportation. Or, if the problem persists, you could seek a court order stating that a parent with more than ten minutes late to an exchange forfeits custody time.

Spivak Law Firm handles all child custody matters, including: trials, conciliations, motions, relocation hearings, and drafting orders specially tailored to your family. Call us today at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.

4 Co-Parenting Tips

If you have children and are getting a divorce, you will most likely need to work with the other parent on custody decisions. While this can be difficult, there are some steps you can take to make the process easier.

Here are 4 tips for co-parenting:

  • Put your children first. Make decisions that are in your children’s best interests.
  • Keep communication lines open. Good communication can avoid misunderstandings and keep your children from getting caught in the middle.
  • Make documents accessible. Creating a shared document or file that both parents can access can help you quickly share all of the essential information about your children.
  • Hire an experienced family-law attorney. Legal professionals familiar with child-custody issues are essential to ensuring a smooth co-parenting plan.

Spivak Law Firm handles all areas of family law, including: child custody, child support, divorce, spousal support, and Protection From Abuse (PFA). To speak with an experienced child custody attorney, call Spivak Law Firm as (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.

3 Ways To Prepare For Divorce

The divorce process is a stressful and emotionally difficult time, but there are things you can do to prepare.

Here are three ways to prepare for divorce:

  • Know your finances and make sure to obtain access to financial records, account statements, and other financial documents.
  • Avoid social media, as pictures, posts and Internet activity is commonly used as evidence in custody and parenting time disputes.
  • Set money aside for legal and other professional fees.

Spivak Law Firm handles all areas of family law, including: divorce, child custody, child support, and PFA hearings. To speak with an experienced family law attorney, call Spivak Law Firm at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390

Helping Kids In Divorce

Divorce is a complicated process for everyone involved, especially for the children of co-parents. For children, picking up the signals and nuances of emotional relationships is no easy task. For example, children of divorced parents may mistake civility for a possibility of a reunion.

Here are three tips for protecting your children as you navigate the divorce process:

  • Remind your children how important they are in your separate lives.
  • Don’t project your own feelings about your ex onto your children.
  • Explain to your children why a reunion with their other parent may not be possible.

Spivak Law Firm provides experienced counsel to help you navigate the divorce process in a way that protects your children. To schedule a consultation, call Spivak Law Firm at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.

Child Custody and Child Support

When an ex falls behind on child support, some parents use it as an opportunity to refuse visitation. But, parents who refuse visitation when their ex owes child support may be held in contempt of court for violating the terms of the custody agreement.

It is important to understand that child support is not a fee that one parent pays to get access to the child. Rather, it is intended to prevent the child from being deprived of one parent’s income if that parent isn’t living with the child.

If you want to change the child-custody schedule, we recommend consulting an experienced family-law attorney.

At Spivak Law Firm, we aim to minimize the emotional and financial costs of child-custody litigation. To discuss the custody arrangement that best fits your family’s needs, call Spivak Law Firm at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.

Shared Custody In Pennsylvania

In the past, divorce decrees offered children visits with their father every other weekend. But these visits were hardly enough to foster a father-child relationship.

Children who spend at least 35 percent of their time with each parent, rather than live with one and visit the other, have better relationships with their parents and do better academically, socially, and psychologically, according to more than 50 studies of joint physical custody.

Under Pennsylvania law, mothers and fathers may pursue shared custody schedules that allow for equal time with their children.

Spivak Law Firm helps parents assert their child-custody rights in Pittsburgh and all surrounding counties, including: Allegheny County, Beaver County, Butler County, Washington County, and Westmoreland County.

To speak with an experienced child custody and family law attorney, call Spivak Law Firm at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.

How to Calculate Alimony in Pennsylvania

Unlike child support and even spousal support during the marriage, Pennsylvania law does not provide any formula for determining an alimony award.

After a divorce decree has been entered, the lower-earning spouse may be entitled to continued financial support in the form of alimony.

Courts generally award alimony only if the division of the marital estate is not sufficient to help the dependent spouse.

Alimony is based on the financial need of the dependent spouse and the length of the parties’ marriage.

To schedule a consultation with a family law attorney, call Spivak Law Firm at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.