Author Archives: Todd Spivak and Rebecca Canterbury

PFA Hearings in Pittsburgh and Nearby Counties

Posted on June 13 2018 by Todd Spivak and Rebecca Canterbury

At Spivak Law Firm, we provide strong, aggressive defense at Protection From Abuse (PFA) hearings.

Based in Pittsburgh, we routinely accept cases in the following counties: Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Indiana, Mercer, Washington, and Westmoreland.

Each county has different local rules and customs for PFA hearings.

For instance, cases in Allegheny County frequently settle without need for a formal hearing. Many of our defendants never go before a judge or even see the inside of a court room.

In more rural counties, virtually all cases go before a judge. There are often fewer alternatives for reaching settlement, thereby resulting in a greater likelihood of trial.

At Spivak Law Firm, we are experienced trial lawyers who aim to protect your liberty, your job, and your child-custody rights. We have successfully represented hundreds of people accused of domestic violence, harassment, stalking, sexual violence, and other forms of abuse.To schedule a free consultation with an experienced PFA lawyer, call Spivak Law Firm at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.

Child Custody and Video Games

Posted on June 13 2018 by Todd Spivak and Rebecca Canterbury

Is your kid addicted to video games such as Fortnight or Minecraft?

Understanding the value of video games to children may ease conflict between children and parents seeking more balance in their daily lives. Child psychologists offer the following tips to parents:

First, it’s important to note that action video games cultivate spatial skills needed in advanced mathematics and engineering. Parents should not demonize mes altogether because they offer proven benefits to brain development.

Second, games like Fortnight provide a social experience as friends team up and communicate by headsets to banter and coordinate strategy. Again, parents should lighten up somewhat on games because their kids are often engaged in a group activity requiring communication and fostering relationships.

Third, instead of opposing the games, parents should simply set limits and promote their involvement in other important activities such as completing homework, playing outside, and participating in family life.

Spivak Law Firm handles all areas of family law with a special focus on child custody. To schedule a consultation, call us at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.

Helping Women In Criminal Cases

Posted on June 13 2018 by Todd Spivak and Rebecca Canterbury

Women are more likely to remain incarcerated because they cannot afford bail, according to a recent report.

High pretrial detention rates are a major component of mass incarceration, accounting for 99 percent of jail growth over the last 15 years. Women comprise the fastest rate of growth among incarcerated populations.

Women held in pretrial detention often face long separations from their families resulting in devastating collateral consequences such as loss of child custody and eviction from their homes.

Spivak Law Firm provides strong, compassionate representation in all family-law and criminal-defense matters with a special focus on domestic violence and child custody. Call us at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.

Spivak Law Firm Wins More Awards

Posted on May 26 2018 by Todd Spivak and Rebecca Canterbury

The award-winning Spivak Law Firm received multiple honors this month for providing superior legal services and client satisfaction.

The Pittsburgh-based firm handles all areas of family law and criminal defense with a special focus on Protection from Abuse (PFA) hearings and high-conflict child custody cases.

Our award-winning attorneys have helped hundreds of people accused of physical abuse, harassment, stalking, sexual abuse, child abuse, and other forms of domestic abuse.

In many cases, we get the PFA and related criminal charges dismissed then expunge our client’s records so they can fully move on with their lives.

We handle the following family law cases: divorce, child custody, child support, spousal support, Children Youth and Families (CYF), and Protection From Abuse (PFA).

We routinely defend people criminally charged with: domestic violence, driving under the influence (DUI), simple assault, aggravated assault, harassment, recklessly endangering another person, stalking, disorderly conduct, retail theft and various other misdemeanors and summary offenses.

This month, Attorney Todd Spivak was honored again by American Institute of Family Law Attorneys and designated a Super Lawyer.

Attorney Rebecca Canterbury was named a Top 10 Family Law Attorney by Attorney and Practice Magazine and received a 10.0 rating on the Avvo legal directory, where clients routinely sing her praises as a strong, compassionate advocate who gets results.

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

PFA Orders Destroy Reputations

Posted on May 26 2018 by Todd Spivak and Rebecca Canterbury

Under Pennsylvania law, anybody can file a Protection From Abuse (PFA) order against a lover or family member accusing them of harassment, physical violence, or other forms of domestic abuse.

In Pittsburgh and surrounding areas, judges grant more than 90 percent of Temporary PFA petitions, leading to a formal hearing within about 10 days.

Many people served with Temporary PFA Orders make the mistake of attending the hearing without an attorney. They often get pressured into signing orders that will hurt them later in life.

Even worse, they may lose at trial against an experienced attorney, resulting in a Final PFA Order that lasts up to three years and forever tarnishes their reputation as an abusive person.

Don’t let this happen to you.

At Spivak Law Firm, we provide strong, aggressive representation at PFA hearings in Pittsburgh and all surrounding counties, including: Allegheny, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Indiana, Lawrence, Washington, and Westmoreland.

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

Served With A Bogus PFA?

Posted on May 21 2018 by Todd Spivak and Rebecca Canterbury

Have you been served with a bogus PFA?

Do the allegations include exaggerations, misrepresentations, or outright lies?

You’re not alone. It is commonly known among family-law judges and attorneys that some people claim they were harassed or physically abused in order to gain leverage in divorce or child custody disputes.

Some people will lie on PFA petitions just to evict you from your home or damage your reputation.

If you’ve been served with a bogus PFA, we strongly recommend calling Spivak Law Firm. We provide strong, aggressive reputation at PFA hearings to preserve your rights and reputation.

Call us for a free consultation at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.

Reading Aloud To Young Kids

Posted on May 21 2018 by Todd Spivak and Rebecca Canterbury

It has long been known that reading and playing with young children helps them with early literacy skills and promotes bonding between parent and child.

But it also helps curb problem behaviors in children like aggression, hyperactivity, and difficulty with attention, according to a new study published in the journal Pediatrics.

Spivak Law Firm handles all areas of family law with a special focus on child custody. In most cases, we help parents negotiate custody agreements. We also have significant experience with high-conflict cases that involve extensive litigation and custody trials.

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

What is an expungement?

Posted on May 7 2018 by Todd Spivak and Rebecca Canterbury

Expungement refers to the legal process for erasing a person’s criminal record. Under Pennsylvania law, the term “expunge” means as follows:

-To remove information so that there is no trace or indication that such information existed;

-To eliminate all identifiers that may be used to trace the identity of an individual, allowing remaining data to be used for statistical purposes; or

-Maintenance of certain information required or authorized when an individual has successfully completed the conditions of any pre-trial or post-trial diversion or probation program.

Spivak Law Firm helps people expunge their criminal records so they can move on with their lives. To speak with an experienced criminal expungement attorney, call Spivak Law Firm at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.

Child Custody and Addiction

Posted on May 7 2018 by Todd Spivak and Rebecca Canterbury

If you’re a parent addicted to opiates or other illegal drugs, you are at risk of losing custody of your children.

At Spivak Law Firm, we have significant experience helping parents with drug and alcohol addictions retain custodial rights over their children.

We have helped many parents reunite with their children by obtaining court orders providing them shared or even primary physical custody.

Some of our clients tell their hopeful stories here.

We help parents connect with important resources. We work with our clients to develop long-term strategies to achieve their goals.

Spivak Law Firm provides strong, compassionate, cost-effective representation in all child-custody matters. To speak with an experienced child-custody attorney, call us at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.

PFA and Divorce in Pennsylvania

Posted on April 30 2018 by Todd Spivak and Rebecca Canterbury

The Pennsylvania legislature is considering a controversial bill to restrict sexual abusers from seeking alimony or even equitable distribution under the divorce code.

Alimony refers to the receipt of payments from a former spouse after the divorce has been finalized. Equitable distribution refers to the formal process for dividing marital property.

Spivak Law Firm strongly objects to the bill, which does not make clear whether a criminal conviction is required for the exceptions to apply.

The bill’s definition of “abuse” references the Protection From Abuse (PFA) statute. As a result, individuals with a PFA Order entered against them would be barred from receiving alimony or equitable distribution, leading to further abuse of the PFA system.

Spivak Law Firm provides strong, compassionate, cost-effective representation in all family law matters, including: divorce, child custody, child support, spousal support, and PFA. Call Spivak Law Firm at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.