Spivak Law Firm

Based in Pittsburgh, PA

412-344-4900

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PFA Hearings: Child Testimony

Posted on May 7 2021 by Todd Spivak and Rebecca Canterbury

A child under 13-years-old who alleges physical or sexual abuse may not have to testify at a Protection From Abuse (PFA) hearing under Pennsylvania Law.

The Tender Years Hearsay Act allows a psychologist or caseworker from Children Youth and Families (CYF) to testify on the child’s behalf.

The purpose of the Act is to protect children from the added trauma of appearing in court to describe the details of the alleged assault.

New legislation may expand the Act to include children under 17-years-old.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania opposes the bill on grounds that it violates the defendant’s right to due process.

Courts heavily rely on other professionals to determine whether abuse on a child actually occurred.

There may be a forensic interview conducted by a child abuse specialist in the presence of a police detective and a CYF caseworker.

Spivak Law Firm handles all areas of family law and criminal defense with a special focus on PFA, domestic abuse and high-conflict child custody.

Call Spivak Law Firm at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.

Child Custody and Separation Anxiety Disorder

Posted on April 23 2021 by Todd Spivak and Rebecca Canterbury

Separation anxiety disorder is the most common anxiety disorder in children ages 12 and younger, and symptoms can emerge as early as age 2.

The causes aren’t entirely clear.

Genetics play a role – if one or both parents have an anxiety disorder of any kind, their children are more likely to have separation anxiety disorder.

The disorder can also be triggered in the wake of a stressful life event, like a high-conflict divorce or child custody dispute.

Parents who are concerned that their child may be showing signs of separation anxiety disorder should see a therapist who specializes in treating pediatric anxiety.

If left untreated, anxiety disorders increase the risk of other mental health conditions such as depression.

Treatment generally involves using cognitive behavioral therapy to help kids learn to manage symptoms plus training to help manage tantrums.

Spivak Law Firm handles all family law and child custody matters. We routinely help families connect with important resources, such as: pediatric counselors, family counselors, and co-parenting counselors.

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

Parental Alienation FAQ

Posted on August 23 2020 by wirthdesign

Parental Alienation:
Frequently Asked Questions

Can you represent me in my parental alienation case?
Yes. Spivak Law Firm represents people in child custody matters throughout Pittsburgh and Southwestern Pennsylvania. We use our strong negotiation and trial skills to establish a custody arrangement that aims to preserve clients’ finances and protect their children’s emotional health. We work closely with clients to achieve their goals. To schedule an appointment with a child custody attorney, call Spivak Law Firm at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.

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How do you prove parental alienation?
Mental-health professionals recognize the tragic impact parental alienation has on children, as the children may go on to have psychiatric disorders, failed relationships, and dysfunctional lives. In cases of severe parental alienation, we recommend the use of licensed professionals to aid in demonstrating the existence of the other parent utilizing alienation tactics. Said professionals can relay their observations and recommendations to the Court. At Spivak Law Firm, we routinely handle high-conflict custody cases involving parental alienation. Call Spivak Law Firm at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.

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How do you remedy the effects of parental alienation?
The psychological harm that results from parental alienation can be remedied or at least minimized by the intervention of professional counselors. In cases where parental alienation persists, Courts are often inclined to take custody away from the alienating parent to avoid further harm to the child. For more information, call Spivak Law Firm at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.

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What is co-parenting counseling?
Co-parenting counseling is often ordered in high-conflict custody cases. It offers parents the opportunity to meet together with a licensed counselor in a confidential therapeutic setting to address the co-parenting relationship and issues of the child following separation. Parents have the chance to discuss day-to-day parenting issues, custody schedules, school, and behavioral concerns with the help of a counselor. Co-parenting counselors can also offer practical solutions to minimize conflict, improve communication, and focus on the needs of the child. For some parents, co-parenting counseling can help them move past the hurt feelings, frustration, and anger related to the separation itself in order to focus on the child. To learn more, call Spivak Law Firm at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.

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What is family counseling?
Family counseling provides an opportunity for family members to meet with a licensed counselor who can help improve communication, resolve existing issues, learn coping skills, and heal wounds within their family. Sessions may include all family members or it may be limited to only certain family members. At Spivak Law Firm, we assist families with enrollment in family counseling. To schedule an appointment with a child custody attorney, call Spivak Law Firm at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.

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Parental Alienation

Posted on April 13 2020 by wirthdesign

Pittsburgh Parental Alienation Lawyers

At its core, parental alienation is a form of child abuse. A parent engages in parental alienation any time he or she speaks negatively about the other parent in the presence of the child.

Parental alienation can also be more severe, as one parent attempts to destroy the child’s relationship with the other parent through psychological manipulation. Parental alienation often involves: coaching the child to hate the other parent; disparaging the other parent to the child; and telling the child the other parent does not love them. 

Spivak Law Firm offers strong, compassionate representation in child custody matters involving parental alienation. To schedule an appointment with an Allegheny County child custody attorney, call us at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.

Signs of Parental Alienation

Parental alienation can have damaging psychological effects that may cause your child to withdraw from you or act defiantly with you. Some common symptoms of parental alienation include:

  • Your child refuses to have contact with you;
  • Your child is hostile toward you without logical reason (no history of abuse);
  • Your child is hostile toward your extended family and even family pets;
  • Your child refuses to visit with you; and
  • Your child expresses negative feelings toward only you, but never at the other parent.

If you believe that the other parent is engaged in parental alienation, you need an experienced family law attorney to expose the behavior and get help for you and your child. Call Spivak Law Firm at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.

Child Custody and Parental Alienation

Posted on February 28 2020 by Todd Spivak and Rebecca Canterbury

Parental Alienation Syndrome may occur in divorce and child custody disputes involving high levels of conflict between the parents.

The term conveys how a child’s relationship with one parent can be poisoned by the other parent.

Parental Alienation Syndrome describes a cluster of symptoms present in children who reject one parent as a direct result of strong, negative claims introduced by the other parent.

At Spivak Law Firm, we focus our practice on high-conflict child custody disputes involving allegations of domestic abuse, substance abuse, and parental alienation.

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.

Pittsburgh Media Features Attorney Todd Spivak

Posted on April 16 2019 by Todd Spivak and Rebecca Canterbury

Attorney Todd Spivak, owner of Spivak Law Firm, recently published an article in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette about the importance of vigorously defending people accused of committing heinous crimes.

Attorney Spivak, a two-time Pulitzer Prize nominee, practices family law and criminal defense with a special focus on child custody and domestic-violence defense. His article discusses the challenges of handling high-conflict emotional cases involving people with mental illness, substance abuse, and histories of violent behavior.

Spivak Law Firm has represented hundreds of people in Pittsburgh and surrounding counties, including: Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Greene, Lawrence, Indiana, Mercer, Washington, and Westmoreland. Call us today at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.

Child Custody: Parenting Together

Posted on March 25 2019 by Todd Spivak and Rebecca Canterbury

Under Pennsylvania law, the standard for determining child custody schedules is “the best interest of the child.”

Your judge may be hesitant to grant shared custody in high-conflict cases, so it is important to try and work together with the other parent. Demonstrate to the judge that the two of you communicate well enough to facilitate exchanges and ensure the welfare of your child.

Unless there has been a history of domestic abuse, it will also work against your custody case if the judge finds that you discourage your child from fostering a relationship with the other parent. If it is time for the custody exchange and your child does not want to leave, encourage them to go and that they will have a good time.

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

Spivak Law Firm Wins More Awards

Posted on May 26 2018 by Todd Spivak and Rebecca Canterbury

The award-winning Spivak Law Firm received multiple honors this month for providing superior legal services and client satisfaction.

The Pittsburgh-based firm handles all areas of family law and criminal defense with a special focus on Protection from Abuse (PFA) hearings and high-conflict child custody cases.

Our award-winning attorneys have helped hundreds of people accused of physical abuse, harassment, stalking, sexual abuse, child abuse, and other forms of domestic abuse.

In many cases, we get the PFA and related criminal charges dismissed then expunge our client’s records so they can fully move on with their lives.

We handle the following family law cases: divorce, child custody, child support, spousal support, Children Youth and Families (CYF), and Protection From Abuse (PFA).

We routinely defend people criminally charged with: domestic violence, driving under the influence (DUI), simple assault, aggravated assault, harassment, recklessly endangering another person, stalking, disorderly conduct, retail theft and various other misdemeanors and summary offenses.

This month, Attorney Todd Spivak was honored again by American Institute of Family Law Attorneys and designated a Super Lawyer.

Attorney Rebecca Canterbury was named a Top 10 Family Law Attorney by Attorney and Practice Magazine and received a 10.0 rating on the Avvo legal directory, where clients routinely sing her praises as a strong, compassionate advocate who gets results.

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

Reading Aloud To Young Kids

Posted on May 21 2018 by Todd Spivak and Rebecca Canterbury

It has long been known that reading and playing with young children helps them with early literacy skills and promotes bonding between parent and child.

But it also helps curb problem behaviors in children like aggression, hyperactivity, and difficulty with attention, according to a new study published in the journal Pediatrics.

Spivak Law Firm handles all areas of family law with a special focus on child custody. In most cases, we help parents negotiate custody agreements. We also have significant experience with high-conflict cases that involve extensive litigation and custody trials.

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

Helping Kids With Stress

Posted on October 9 2017 by Todd Spivak and Rebecca Canterbury

The standard response for problem children is to punish them. However, new studies show that making sure everyone in the school community understands the effects of trauma on children can help reduce their damaging effects.

Children who lack adequate protection from adults can experience potentially damaging effects. Researchers have learned that highly stressful childhood experiences have far-reaching implications for schools.

With this knowledge, schools can offer children special services that cater to their individual needs.

Spivak Law Firm handles all areas of family law with a focus on high-conflict child custody and allegations of domestic abuse. We handle: child custody, child support, divorce, spousal support, Protection From Abuse (PFA), and Children Youth and Families (CYF).

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