Monthly Archives: March 2020

Do You Have a Last Will and Testament?

Posted on March 20 2020 by Todd Spivak and Rebecca Canterbury

Do you and your loved ones have an updated Last Will and Testament? Public-health experts are projecting that millions of Americans may be killed by the Coronavirus in the coming months.

Spivak Law Firm is committed to helping families achieve their estate planning goals even during this crisis. We are handling all requests by telephone and email only in order to exercise social distancing and ensure our clients’ safety. In most cases, we are able to provide the Last Will and Testament to our clients by email on the same day that they retain us to draft the document.

A Last Will and Testament describes your wishes. It lists your beneficiaries, including specific family members and any charities. It names the executor of your will who can be trusted to carry out your wishes.

It also includes your directions for who will care for your children and your property, as well as directions for whether your body will be buried, cremated, or donated for purposes of medical research.

Having a will gives you peace of mind. It puts you in control over how your assets will be distributed. Without a will, such decisions are left to the courts.

We also recommend working with an attorney to draft a Power of Attorney to carry out your wishes regarding your health and finances if you become too sick and incapacitated due to the coronavirus.

At Spivak Law Firm, we understand that discussing death or a major medical emergency can be emotional and difficult. But we also understand the importance of preparing for the future.

Friendly and welcoming, we treat our clients with compassion, dignity, and respect. For a free phone consultation to discuss your Last Will and Testament, call Spivak Law Firm at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.

Do You Have a Power of Attorney?

Posted on March 20 2020 by Todd Spivak and Rebecca Canterbury

Do you and your loved ones have an updated Power of Attorney? Public-health experts are projecting that millions of Americans will become sick and incapacitated by the Coronavirus in the coming months.

Spivak Law Firm is committed to helping families achieve their estate planning goals even during this crisis. We are handling all requests by telephone and email only in order to exercise social distancing and ensure our clients’ safety. In most cases, we are able to provide the Power of Attorney to our clients by email on the same day that they retain us to draft the document.

There are two types of Power of Attorney you may need.

A Healthcare Power of Attorney, also known as a Living Will, details your wishes regarding medical and surgical procedures if you become too sick or incapacitated. It also allows you to choose a person you trust to make decisions on your behalf regarding your medical care.

A Financial Power of Attorney allows you to choose a person you trust to make decisions regarding your finances, including paying your bills and taxes, if you become too sick or incapacitated to handle them yourself. You can always later revoke a Financial Power of Attorney if you recover from your illness and want to handle your own finances or appoint a different person for any reason.

We also recommend working with an attorney to draft a Last Will and Testament to carry out your wishes regarding how to dispose of your remains and your assets if you or your family members contract the coronavirus.

At Spivak Law Firm, we understand that discussing death or a major medical emergency can be emotional and difficult. But we also understand the importance of preparing for the future.

Friendly and welcoming, we treat our clients with compassion, dignity, and respect. For a free phone consultation to discuss a Power of Attorney, call Spivak Law Firm at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.

Dividing Retirement Accounts In Divorce

Posted on March 13 2020 by Todd Spivak and Rebecca Canterbury

In many divorce cases, the spouses’ retirement accounts represent the largest assets in the marital estate. Retirement accounts such as a spouse’s 401(k), IRA, or pension may be valued at tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars. Retirement accounts opened during the marriage are considered marital property subject to division at divorce.

If a retirement account was opened prior to the marriage, then any increase in value from the date of separation until the divorce is finalized may be subject to equitable distribution. It may be necessary to calculate the marital portion of your retirement accounts, which can be divided by court order in a divorce settlement without tax consequences.

Spivak Law Firm provides smart, compassionate, cost-effective representation in all divorce matters. To schedule a consultation, call Spivak Law Firm at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.

Applying For Child Support In Pennsylvania

Posted on March 13 2020 by Todd Spivak and Rebecca Canterbury

When applying for child support, a complaint for child support must be filed with the court.

In most Pennsylvania counties, there is no fee for filing a complaint for child support.

The Domestic Relations Section will schedule a support conference and send notices with the date and time to the parents.

Child support owed to the family usually begins on the date the complaint is filed.

Spivak Law Firm provides strong, compassionate, cost-effective representation in all family law matters, including: divorce, child custody, child support, and Protection From Abuse (PFA).

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