Family Law

Child Custody: Kids With Two Homes

Posted on August 22 2016 by Todd Spivak and Rebecca Canterbury

Separation and divorce often means two different homes for children, which also often means two competing sets of rules for children to follow.

As a parent, you have the right to set the rules for your children, even if those are different than your ex-spouse. But having opposite rules for children in each household can be confusing for them at a time when they’re learning to cope in a new family environment.

Consider the following three tips to avoid confusing the children:

Follow a similar schedule for the children (dinner time, bed time, etc.).
Create consistent rules to follow in each household.
Implement similar forms of discipline, and work together to enforce the rules.

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

PFA and Law Enforcement

Posted on August 16 2016 by Todd Spivak and Rebecca Canterbury

If you’re a law-enforcement official, a Final Protection From Abuse (PFA) Order against you could mean the end of your career.

Under Pennsylvania law, a PFA prohibits the defendant from possessing a firearm. For law enforcement officials, the inability to possess a firearm may lead to their termination.

At Spivak Law Firm, we understand the serious consequences of a Final PFA. We have represented law enforcement officials at every level of government: federal Department of Homeland Security, state troopers, county sheriffs, and local police officers.

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

If you’ve been served with a PFA, call Spivak Law Firm at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.

Child Custody and Back-to-School

Posted on August 15 2016 by Todd Spivak and Rebecca Canterbury

The transition from summer vacation to back-to-school is a difficult one to make for both parents and children. To avoid conflict between you and your ex-spouse, consider planning ahead with these four tips:

Coordinate back-to-school shopping for the children.
Determine which parent will complete schoolwork (or certain assignments) with the children.
Discuss after-school activities for the children.
Coordinate schedules for parent-teacher conferences.

To further prevent conflict, avoid discussing these issues in front of your children.

Spivak Law Firm handles all family law matters, including: child custody, child support, divorce, equitable distribution, and Protection From Abuse (PFA).

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

How to Calculate Spousal Support

Posted on August 8 2016 by Todd Spivak and Rebecca Canterbury

Q: How do courts calculate spousal support in Pennsylvania?

A: The formula for determining spousal support is as follows:

First, add together the lower-earning spouse’s net monthly income and monthly child support. Then subtract that number from the higher-earning spouse’s net monthly income. Finally, multiply the net difference by 30 percent (or 40 percent if there are no children) to calculate the basic support obligation.

For instance, let’s say you earn $1,200 net monthly income and collect $1,000 per month in child support; and let’s say your spouse earns $5,000 net monthly income. According to the formula, you would receive $800 per month in spousal support.

Spivak Law Firm handles all family law matters, including: divorce, custody, support, and PFA. Call us at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.

4 Tips for PFA Defendants

Posted on July 25 2016 by Todd Spivak and Rebecca Canterbury

It is important to maintain your composure at your Final PFA hearing.

It will be difficult to remain calm while the opposing party makes allegations of abuse against you, but walking into a hearing with a bad attitude may affect the judge’s opinion of you and add to the plaintiff’s credibility – even if the allegations are false.

To avoid discrediting your version of events, follow these four tips at your PFA hearing:

Do not raise your voice in anger to the judge, your lawyer, or the other party;
Do not shake your head, roll your eyes, or laugh while the other party is speaking;
Do not interrupt the other party or the judge;
Do not make mean-spirited comments about the other party.

If you have been served with a PFA order, call Spivak Law Firm at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.

Limit Stress In Divorce

Posted on July 19 2016 by Todd Spivak and Rebecca Canterbury

Divorce can be one of the most stressful times in a person’s life. You may take comfort in the fact that family and friends have taken your side in the matter, but this may create conflict. What appears to be emotional support may actually be encouragement to fight and argue.

It is best to enter negotiations, or even litigation, with a level head in order to avoid making rash decisions that are not necessarily in your best interest. If you (or someone close to you) are in the process of divorce, lend support. But avoid causing conflict.

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

Child Custody and Summer Vacation

Posted on July 12 2016 by Todd Spivak and Rebecca Canterbury

Children eagerly await the end of the school year and the start of summer vacation. But summer vacation can be a stressful time for you and your ex, as this means accommodating one another’s vacation schedules. These five tips can help alleviate some of the tensions that arise when planning vacations:

Tell your ex your plans ahead of time;
Do not violate the terms of an existing custody order;
Give your ex the details of your trip (location, lodging, transportation, phone numbers, etc.);
Arrange for communication between the children and your ex;
Confirm the agreement in writing.

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

Tips For Child Custody Hearings

Posted on July 11 2016 by Todd Spivak and Rebecca Canterbury

In a child custody hearing, you may think that the judge’s main focus in the courtroom is on the lawyers. But the judge is mindful of all parties involved and pays close attention to the parents’ body language and demeanor.

When you are in court, pay attention and remain calm. If the other parent says something disagreeable, avoid shaking your head, rolling your eyes, sighing, or squirming in your chair. One of the sixteen custody factors considered by the judge is the level of conflict between the parties. Negative body language may lead the judge to believe that you and your ex-spouse are unable to effectively co-parent in the best interests of your children.

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

Parenting Plans for Teens

Posted on June 27 2016 by Todd Spivak and Rebecca Canterbury

Teenage children are often more adaptable to custody schedules because they can better balance differences in household routines. As long as the parenting plan allows the children to see both parents on a frequent and continued basis, the schedule can be flexible. When making a parenting plan for your teenagers, consider the following:

Permit the children to call the other parent in privacy;
Respect the well-reasoned preferences of the children;
Accommodate the children’s school activities and extracurricular activities;
Consider the social needs of the children.

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

How A PFA Affects Your Divorce

Posted on June 21 2016 by Todd Spivak and Rebecca Canterbury

When you initiate a divorce, it is important to keep your emotions in check. Divorce can be emotionally draining, but the playing field may quickly uneven when one party obtains a Temporary Protection from Abuse (PFA) Order.

Avoid any form of contact that could be construed as abusive, which includes shouting matches with your ex. Your ex could file a PFA against you after a verbal argument claiming that she fears you.

The PFA can evict you from your home, restrict your child custody rights, require you to pay support, and order you to continue contributing to marital home expenses.

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.