Monthly Archives: June 2020

PFA and Child Custody Tips

Posted on June 25 2020 by Todd Spivak and Rebecca Canterbury

If you’ve been served with a Protection From Abuse (PFA) order, you may be restricted from seeing your children. In some cases, the PFA will allow no contact. In other cases, the PFA will allow limited contact.

If your PFA allows for limited contact with your children, please be very careful to avoid any conflict or mention of the PFA at custody exchanges. If you engage in argument or attempt to discuss the PFA at the custody exchange, you are placing yourself at serious risk of arrest for violating the PFA. Even if you are permitted custody of the children while the PFA remains active, it may be safer to decline in order to avoid false accusations that you violated the order.

Spivak Law Firm handles all areas of family law, including: divorce, child custody, child support, and PFA hearings. For more information, call us at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.

Divorce: Refinancing the Marital Residence

Posted on June 25 2020 by Todd Spivak and Rebecca Canterbury

The marital residence often represents the greatest asset in a divorce. Some people sell the home and divide any proceeds remaining from the sale. In other cases, a decision will be made for one of the spouses to remain at the property after the divorce is finalized.

If both spouses are listed on the mortgage, it will be necessary to refinance the loan. Under a refinance, the spouse who stays at the marital residence will become solely liable for the mortgage and all fees related to the property. The lending institution will approve the refinance in most cases involving a good credit history.

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

Co-Parenting On Father’s Day

Posted on June 15 2020 by Todd Spivak and Rebecca Canterbury

This Father’s Day weekend, families are taking extra care to show Dad how much he is loved and appreciated.

But when parents reside in separate homes, coordinating plans for Father’s Day can lead to conflict.

Here are some tips for a smooth holiday weekend:

Work together to set a plan for the day.
Encourage the kids to enjoy time with their father.
Make the holiday about your children and plan an activity that is fun for the whole family.

Spivak Law Firm offers strong, compassionate representation in child custody matters. To schedule an appointment with an experienced family law attorney, call us at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.

Divorce and Legal Separation

Posted on June 15 2020 by Todd Spivak and Rebecca Canterbury

Unlike many other states, Pennsylvania does not recognize legal separation.

But your date of separation may be highly relevant to your divorce.

Spouses who remain married for an extended period of time after separating may have legitimate disagreements about the contents of their marital estate.

If only one spouse wants a divorce and the parties have been separated for at least one year, a divorce may be granted so long as there is no dispute about the date of separation.

The one-year period begins at the date of separation, which may pre-date the filing of the divorce action.

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

Enforcing Child Support Orders

Posted on June 15 2020 by Todd Spivak and Rebecca Canterbury

The Pennsylvania Child Support Enforcement System (PACSES) is the statewide computer system used by the domestic relations section in each county.

PACSES maintains information related to child support payments, work history for each parents, and the history of the case.

Family court administrators use PACSES to monitor support payments and enforce support orders.

Spivak Law Firm handles 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.