PFA Orders

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Child Custody and Emotional Abuse

Posted on December 26 2017 by Todd Spivak and Rebecca Canterbury

Ending a physically or emotionally abusive relationship doesn’t always end the abuse, especially when children are involved. You still have to see your ex-spouse to arrange for custody exchanges, holidays, etc.

If your ex-spouse continues to engage in controlling or manipulative behavior, consider limiting your communications to text or email. This can both reduce the level of conflict between the two of you, and allow you to document evidence of your ex’s inability to work together.

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

No Guns for Domestic Abusers

Posted on December 19 2017 by Todd Spivak and Rebecca Canterbury

If you have been charged with a domestic violence related crime, your gun ownership rights may be at stake.

Under federal law, if you have been convicted of a misdemeanor involving domestic abuse, you are banned from purchasing or owning firearms or ammunition. The law aims to protect victims of domestic abuse by keeping guns out of the hands of convicted abusers.

Recently, the U.S. Supreme Court expanded the applicability of this law in Voisine v. United States. The Court ruled that the law applies not only to individuals who intentionally committed domestic abuse, but also to individuals who did so recklessly.

If you have been charged with assault, harassment, terroristic threats, or any other domestic violence related crime, call Spivak Law Firm at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.

Don’t Let A PFA Ruin Your Life

Posted on December 4 2017 by Todd Spivak and Rebecca Canterbury

A PFA is a court order that aims to protect victims of domestic violence. A PFA can:

Restrict you from contacting the accuser;
Evict you from your home;
Award the accuser temporary custody of your children;
Require you to pay child support; and
Send you to jail if you are even accused of violating it.

Don’t make the mistake of blindly accepting a PFA. The consequences of a PFA are harsh and long-lasting, as a PFA can remain in effect for up to three years.

Spivak Law Firm provides aggressive representation for plaintiffs and defendants in domestic violence cases, including Protection From Abuse (PFA), Children Youth and Families (CYF), and criminal domestic violence. To schedule a free consultation, call Spivak Law Firm at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.