Spivak Law Firm

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Author Archives: Todd Spivak and Rebecca Canterbury

What Is Disorderly Conduct?

Posted on March 17 2018 by Todd Spivak and Rebecca Canterbury

Under Pennsylvania law, disorderly conduct is a criminal charge defined broadly as causing a public inconvenience. Disorderly conduct may involve:

  • People fighting or threatening one another (like in a bar fight);
  • Being too noisy (like neighbors having a loud party); or
  • Using obscene language or making an obscene gesture;

As you can see, disorderly conduct covers a wide range of activities. The law includes an additional provision stating that disorderly conduct may involve creating a hazardous condition “by any act which serves no legitimate purpose.”

Disorderly conduct is generally charged as a summary offense, though it may be graded as a more serious third-degree misdemeanor under certain conditions.

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

Emotional Abuse and Family Law

Posted on March 12 2018 by Todd Spivak and Rebecca Canterbury

Being a victim of domestic abuse doesn’t always mean that you have been physically harmed. Emotional abuse can be severely damaging to your self-esteem and emotional health. You may be the victim of emotional abuse if your partner:

  • Controls your finances.
  • Controls where you go and the people that you see.
  • Controls your appearance.
  • Tries to embarrass you in front of others.

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

Trouble at School

Posted on March 12 2018 by Todd Spivak and Rebecca Canterbury

Receiving a phone call from a teacher regarding your child’s performance in school can be stressful. It is important to discuss the issue with your ex-spouse in the best interest of your child.

Talk to one another regarding the issue, and work together as a team. Consider coordinating your schedules in order to meet with the teacher at the same time. This way you can develop a common plan to address your child’s needs.

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

Charged with REAP?

Posted on March 5 2018 by Todd Spivak and Rebecca Canterbury

Pennsylvania defines the crime of recklessly endangering another person (REAP) as a person recklessly engaging in conduct, which places or may place another person in danger of death or serious bodily injury.

That’s right, you may be charged with REAP even if the alleged victim was not hurt. Common instances include:

REAP is a second-degree misdemeanor, which carries up to two years in prison and a maximum $5,000 fine.

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

Child Custody Mediation

Posted on March 5 2018 by Todd Spivak and Rebecca Canterbury

Child custody mediation provides an opportunity for you and the other parent to discuss what is best for your child without attorneys present. It is a time reserved for working out an ideal schedule for both the parents and the child.

Here are four don’ts for mediating a custody dispute:

  • Don’t neglect the needs of your child;
  • Don’t assume one parenting plan works for all children;
  • Don’t go to mediation without a plan; and
  • Don’t denigrate the other parent.

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

Child Custody: Grandparents’ Rights

Posted on February 26 2018 by Todd Spivak and Rebecca Canterbury

Grandparents increasingly raise children whose parents struggle with substance-abuse problems. But such grandparents often face major hurdles in obtaining legal custody of the children.

In Pennsylvania, grandparents must first establish legal standing in court to assert a custody action.

In such cases, courts must balance children’s safety and welfare against parents’ rights to raise their kids without interference

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.

Divorce in Pennsylvania

Posted on February 26 2018 by Todd Spivak and Rebecca Canterbury

In Pennsylvania, marital property is not simply divided equally at the time of divorce. Instead, a court aims to divide the marital property based on what it thinks is fair.

The formal court process for dividing marital assets and marital debts based on principles of fairness is known as equitable distribution. Marital assets include houses, cars, and other investments. Marital debts include financial obligations accrued during the marriage.

Spivak Law Firm handles all areas of family law, including: divorce, child custody, child support, spousal support, and Protection From Abuse (PFA). We help people file for divorce, negotiate Marriage Settlement Agreements, and litigation equitable-distribution trials. To schedule a consultation, call (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.

Stalking and Social Media

Posted on February 26 2018 by Todd Spivak and Rebecca Canterbury

Connecticut recently passed a bill that strengthens the state’s domestic-violence laws to protect victims from emotional abuse and online stalking.

The bill includes language to protect victims who suffer “emotional distress” as well as physical abuse.

Under previous law, victims had to prove they fear for their physical safety in order to be protected under anti-stalking statutes.

Importantly, this legislation is the first to include protection for victims against stalking through electronic or social media.

Connecticut joins 29 other states that have eliminated fear of physical safety as the sole requirement to meet the definition of stalking.

Spivak Law Firm handles all areas of family law with a focus on domestic violence and Protection From Abuse (PFA). Call us at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.

Tips For Creating Parenting Plans

Posted on February 19 2018 by Todd Spivak and Rebecca Canterbury

Creating child custody agreements can be difficult, but it is important to cover all of your bases to avoid conflict later. Below are some important considerations:

  • Will the children reside primarily with one parent or move between both homes?
  • Which parent will be responsible for transportation of the children?
  • How will educational, medical, and religious decisions be made?
  • How will the children communicate with the other parent (i.e., phone, Skype)?
  • When will holiday and vacation periods start and end?
  • How will you and your ex divide the costs of the children’s extracurricular activities?

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

Reporting Abuse

Posted on February 19 2018 by Todd Spivak and Rebecca Canterbury

In Pennsylvania, medical practitioners are not required to report all disclosures of abuse or assault. But they must report child abuse and elder abuse.

The same can’t be said for some universities and colleges such as the University of Pittsburgh, which require faculty to report all incidences of assault.

This is due in part because students are protected under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. Federally funded educational facilities must take action to prevent further incidents of sex discrimination against students (including sexual assault and harassment).

For a free consultation, call Spivak Law Firm to speak with our experienced PFA attorney at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.