Family Law

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.

Kids and Online Abuse

Posted on February 13 2018 by Todd Spivak and Rebecca Canterbury

Across the country, school districts are trying to train parents and community members to fight back against child abuse. Many districts host workshops including topics like safeguarding kids online, recognizing the signs of child abuse, and dealing with troublesome behavior in kids.

Here are 3 tips for protecting your child from abuse:

Monitor your children’s friend lists and online communications, making sure they are talking only with people you know and trust.

Inform your children that once something is online, it may stay there forever.
Talk with your children about their online activities.

provides aggressive representation in child abuse cases. If you have been accused of abuse, call Spivak Law Firm at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.

Final PFA Hearings

Posted on February 5 2018 by Todd Spivak and Rebecca Canterbury

Q: Should I go to the final PFA hearing?

A: Yes. If you do not appear at the final hearing, the court may enter a PFA against you lasting the maximum duration of three years.

As part of the PFA order, the court may evict you from your home, prohibit you from possessing firearms, and deny you custody and visitation rights of your minor children.

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

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

PFA and Child Custody

Posted on January 30 2018 by Todd Spivak and Rebecca Canterbury

In Pennsylvania, courts often give a PFA plaintiff sole custody over the parties’ children until the PFA hearing. This can be devastating to a PFA defendant, who may go weeks having limited or no contact with his or her kids.

The parties’ attorneys may negotiate a child custody arrangement as part of a court order. Thus, it is important that your PFA lawyer have experience handling child custody matters to get you the most possible time with your kids.

At Spivak Law Firm, we work hard to ensure that our PFA clients get substantial time with their children as soon as possible. We handle all family law matters, including: child custody, child support, spousal support, divorce, and PFA. For a free consultation, call us at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.

Child Custody In Pennsylvania

Posted on January 22 2018 by Todd Spivak and Rebecca Canterbury

Under Pennsylvania law, courts make decisions on child-custody matters based on the child’s best interests. The court looks at key factors that affect the child’s physical, intellectual, moral, and spiritual well-being.

In determining whether to award temporary custody, the court considers 16 factors, including elements such as the child’s sibling relationships, the availability of extended family, and the present and past abuse of the child.

Another important factor for determining custody is promoting consistency for the children. Courts are generally reluctant to disturb an existing arrangement or split siblings between parents.

Spivak Law Firm provides strong, compassionate representation in child custody cases. Call us at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.

Falsely Accused of Abuse?

Posted on January 15 2018 by Todd Spivak and Rebecca Canterbury

Q: I have been falsely accused of abuse – can you help me?

A: Yes. The PFA system itself is sometimes abused. People may seek a PFA just to gain leverage in a divorce or child custody matter. As a result, innocent people suffer.

If you have been served with a PFA, your hearing may be less than 10 days away.

Spivak Law Firm provides aggressive representation at PFA hearings. We strongly defends people against accusations of domestic violence or child abuse. If you have been accused of abuse, call Spivak Law Firm at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.

Child Custody: Generations Program

Posted on January 9 2018 by Todd Spivak and Rebecca Canterbury

Q: What is the Generations program in Allegheny County?

A: Generations is a program that aims to resolve child-custody disputes without the emotional and financial costs of a trial.

First, the program requires parents to attend an educational session on the court process and the importance of co-parenting. Then, the parents are required to attend mediation in an attempt to resolve any custody disputes and settle on a custody schedule.

If the mediation is unsuccessful, the spouses meet with their attorneys present in a custody conciliation for yet another attempt to resolve custody matters. If parents still cannot reach an agreement, they attend a conciliation with the judge in a final attempt to resolve the case prior to trial.

Studies show that parents are far more likely to follow a custody order they devise themselves. The purpose of Generations is to give parents multiple opportunities to reach agreement.

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

Arrested For Domestic Abuse?

Posted on January 9 2018 by Todd Spivak and Rebecca Canterbury

Q: Police did not witness any physical abuse – so why was I arrested?

A: An allegation of domestic violence by itself can trigger an arrest. Police do not have to witness the incident of abuse. A police officer often makes an arrest decision based solely on the accuser’s credibility without any further investigation. If the alleged victim has any visible marks or injuries, police are likely to make an arrest.

Spivak Law Firm handles all areas of family law with a special focus on domestic violence and Protection From Abuse (PFA). We handle PFA hearings and expungements, as well as criminal domestic violence charges and child custody matters. If you have been accused of violating a no-contact order, call us at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.

Pennsylvania Child Custody Lawyers

Posted on January 2 2018 by Todd Spivak and Rebecca Canterbury

Question: My ex has filed a child custody action against me. What should I do?

Answer: You should speak to an experienced child custody attorney. At Spivak Law Firm, we provide strong, compassionate representation in all child custody matters. We carefully explain the process, describe your options, and propose legal strategies based on your goals and the unique facts of your case. We are skilled negotiators and experienced trial lawyers who fight for you to achieve the best possible outcome.

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