Best Child Custody Lawyer Pittsburgh PA
Child Custody Trial Tips
Courts make custody decisions in the best interests of the children, which typically means judges are looking at which parent is best fit to meet the children’s day-to-day needs.
It’s not enough to tell the court that your ex never does anything for the children and is a bad parent.
Rather than spending time listing out all of the things your ex never does for the children, devote the majority of your time to presenting yourself as the parent best equipped to meet the day-to-day needs of the children.
If you take the children to school every morning, help them with their homework every night, and get them ready for bed most nights, let the court know.
Sometimes it pays to be positive at child 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.
Child Custody: 3 Tips for Parents
Children thrive on routine. A shift in the family dynamic can be difficult for children.
You and your ex may follow a consistent child custody schedule, but shuttling back and forth between two homes can be confusing for the children.
To help your children adjust between exchanges, consider the following three tips:
- Give the children a chart of the custody schedule;
- Remind the children ahead of time when an exchange will take place; and
- Remind the children when they will see you next.
Spivak Law Firm provides strong, compassionate, cost-effective representation in all family law matters with a special focus on child custody and child support. 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 Co-Parenting
You may still harbor hard feelings against your ex even after divorce. As difficult as it may be, it is important to put the interests of your children ahead of any ill feelings between you and your ex-spouse.
The following tips may be helpful in co-parenting with your ex-spouse:
- Communicate with your ex-spouse civilly;
- Talk to one another regarding rules and discipline of the children;
- Abide by similar dinner, bedtime, and homework schedules;
- Avoid high-conflict topics prior to exchanges;
- Encourage the children to have frequent and continuing contact with extended family;
- Discuss proposed custody schedule changes with your ex-spouse ahead of time.
Spivak Law Firm handles all family law matters, including: divorce, child custody, child support, spousal support, and PFAs. To schedule a consultation, call Spivak Law Firm at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.
What To Expect At Child Custody Seminar
In Allegheny County, any parent who files for child custody must participate in the Generations program, a two-part alternative dispute resolution program administered by the Child Custody Department. Step one is an education seminar. Step two is a mediation session.
Below is information on the Generations education seminar:
- The education seminar is mandatory for all adults in the custody action and all children between the ages of 6 and 15.
- The education seminar is approximately three hours in length. It is a parenting education program for adults and an interactive group for children.
- Security is provided by the Allegheny County Sheriff’s Department.
- The education seminar occurs on the second floor of the Family Law Center located in downtown Pittsburgh at 440 Ross Street.
- If you fail to attend the education seminar, the custody action may be dismissed or you may be held in contempt of court for not following the scheduling order. Failure to appear at a contempt hearing may result in the issuance of a custody order and/or a bench warrant for your arrest.
- To reschedule your education seminar date, you may contact the Child Custody Department at (412) 350-4311. You must complete the education seminar prior to the mediation session.
- There is no childcare available at the education seminar.
To speak with an experienced child custody attorney, call Spivak Law Firm at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.