Blog - Spivak Law Firm

Charged with Assault?

Posted on March 10 2017 by Todd Spivak and Rebecca Canterbury

An emotionally charged argument could lead to assault charges, even if you didn’t physically harm the other person. A mere threat of bodily injury could result in criminal charges such as simple assault or terroristic threats—both of which are misdemeanors that could result in jail time and remain on your record for life.

Spivak Law Firm handles all areas of family law and criminal defense with a special focus on domestic violence and child custody.

Charged with assault? Terroristic threats? Harassment? Stalking? PFA violation? 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 8 2017 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.

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

Clean Your Criminal Record

Posted on February 14 2017 by Todd Spivak and Rebecca Canterbury

Under existing Pennsylvania law, only summary convictions may be removed from your criminal record. Under a new law, you may also petition the court to limit access to second and third degree misdemeanor convictions.

Misdemeanors in the second and third degree include offenses such as:

Criminal trespassing;
Vandalism;
Recklessly Endangering Another Person; and
Indecent Assault.

Under the new record-sealing law you may be eligible to conceal your record from public view if you maintained a clean criminal record for ten years following your conviction.

At Spivak Law Firm, we erase and seal criminal records for a low, one-time fee. For more information, call us at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.

Shared Custody of Infants

Posted on February 13 2017 by Todd Spivak and Rebecca Canterbury

Studies show that infants are best able to create healthy relationships with both parents when they spend regular time with each. This means that both parents should go no longer than a few days without seeing the child.

There should be daily communication regarding the child’s eating and sleeping patterns, medical developments, as well as any noteworthy milestones. If there is a high level of conflict between you and the other parent, consider keeping track of these updates in a notebook, which you may pass back and forth during exchanges.

Spivak Law Firm handles all areas of family law: child custody, child support, divorce, and Protection From Abuse (PFA). If your ex is denying you regular and frequent contact with your infant child, call Spivak Law Firm today at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.

PFA and Criminal Charges

Posted on February 6 2017 by Todd Spivak and Rebecca Canterbury

If you’ve been accused of perpetrating domestic violence or child abuse, you may be facing a Protection From Abuse (PFA) Order and criminal charges such as assault, harassment, stalking, or terroristic threats.

At Spivak Law Firm, we generally advise our clients to continue the PFA hearing until after the criminal case is resolved. The district attorney could use the PFA hearing transcript against you in criminal court.

Based in Pittsburgh, Spivak Law Firm provides strong, aggressive representation for clients in Allegheny County, Beaver County, Butler County, Fayette County, Indiana County, Greene County, Washington County, and Westmoreland County.

If you face a PFA or criminal domestic-violence charges, call Spivak Law Firm to schedule a free consultation at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.

Attorney Spivak Honored By Super Lawyers

Posted on February 5 2017 by Todd Spivak and Rebecca Canterbury

Todd Spivak, attorney and owner of Spivak Law Firm, has been selected to the 2017 Pennsylvania Super Lawyers list.

Super Lawyers reserves this honor “for those lawyers who exhibit excellence in practice.”

Only 5 percent of attorneys in Pennsylvania receive this distinction.

Attorney Spivak will be featured in Super Lawyers Magazine, Pittsburgh Magazine, and Philadelphia Magazine, reaching more than one million readers.

A former investigative reporter, Attorney Spivak has won numerous national awards and was twice-nominated for The Pulitzer Prize.

Born and raised in Pittsburgh, Attorney Spivak focuses his practice on all areas of family law and criminal defense with a special focus on Protection From Abuse (PFA) and child custody.

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

Shield Children From Custody Disputes

Posted on January 30 2017 by Todd Spivak and Rebecca Canterbury

Tensions often run high in child custody litigation. But you should not involve your children in the dispute.

Although it may be trying at times, you should not speak ill of the other parent in front of the children, as a judge may sanction you for turning your child against the other parent.

Be aware of what you say around your children, whether they are in another room or even sleeping.

Attempts to turn the children against the other parent are strictly discouraged, with the exception of cases involving domestic violence for the protection of the children.

Spivak Law Firm handles all areas of family law, including: child custody, child support, divorce, Protection From Abuse, and Children Youth and Families (CYF). 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 & Domestic Abuse

Posted on January 23 2017 by Todd Spivak and Rebecca Canterbury

In some extreme cases, mothers seeking to protect their children from abusive fathers are disbelieved by the courts and even sanctioned for parental alienation.

Such outlier cases form the basis of a recently released documentary by filmmaker Rachel Lewis, who spotlights the issue of mothers who have lost custody of their children to abusive fathers. The film warns that violent men can use the court system to further control and intimidate their exes by asserting their child custody rights.

Spivak Law Firm handles all areas of family law with a special focus on high-conflict child custody and domestic violence. Call us at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.

Pennsylvania Mayor Faces PFA

Posted on January 9 2017 by Todd Spivak and Rebecca Canterbury

Even elected officials aren’t immune from Protection from Abuse (PFA) Orders.

Williamsport Mayor Gabriel J. Campana recently agreed to modify and extend the Temporary PFA placed against him by his wife. The small-town mayor was evicted from his home and prohibited from directly contacting his wife, except through email or text to arrange for child custody.

In Pennsylvania, a PFA is a powerful took that can:

Evict you from your home;
Restrict you from your children;
Prohibit you from purchasing firearms; and
Get you fired from your job.

Spivak Law Firm provides strong, aggressive representation at PFA hearings. For a free consultation, call Spivak Law Firm at: (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.

PFA: Help for Victims

Posted on January 4 2017 by Todd Spivak and Rebecca Canterbury

Under current federal law, domestic-violence victims risk eviction from public housing for making excessive calls to 9-1-1.

Spivak Law Firm supports amending the Fair Housing Act to safeguard such victims from being punished for simply seeking police protections.

The Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, and familial status.

Spivak Law Firm routinely represents plaintiffs and defendants in Protection from Abuse (PFA) matters in Pittsburgh and all surrounding counties, including: Allegheny County, Beaver County, Butler County, Fayette County, Washington County, and Westmoreland County. Call us today at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.