Mt. Lebanon Custody Lawyer

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.

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.

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.

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.

Parental Alienation Signs

Posted on January 1 2018 by Todd Spivak and Rebecca Canterbury

Parental alienation occurs when one parent psychologically manipulates the child, causing the child to withdraw from the other parent.

Some common symptoms of parental alienation include, but are not limited to:

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
Your child expresses only negative feelings toward you, but never toward the other parent.

Benefits Of Collaborative Divorce

Posted on December 26 2017 by Todd Spivak and Rebecca Canterbury

Q: Why should I consider a collaborative divorce?

A: Collaborative divorce, also known as no-court divorce, is a non-adversarial process for handling divorce.

It tends to be cheaper, faster, less stressful, and more private than conventional divorce.

Spouses can avoid court fees and share the costs of experts, such as financial advisers or mental health professionals. Studies show that people who choose collaborative law, on average, save $5,000-$10,000 over people who choose litigation.

At Spivak Law Firm, we provide you with strong, cost-effective representation. We aim to preserve your finances by avoiding prolonged conflict to arrive at solutions that are in the best interests of you and your family.

To learn more about collaborative divorce, call Spivak Law Firm 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.

Follow Your Custody Order

Posted on December 19 2017 by Todd Spivak and Rebecca Canterbury

If you have a custody order, follow it. Pennsylvania courts determine custody by looking to the best interests of the children, which is based upon 16 factors. One of the factors asks which parent is more likely to permit and continue frequent contact between the children and the other parent.

If you do not abide by the terms of the existing order, you may be adversely affecting your case. You may also subject yourself to contempt proceedings, which can involve fines and even jail time. Unless you have safety concerns for your children, you should abide by the terms of your custody order.

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.

5 Child Custody Don’ts

Posted on December 12 2017 by Todd Spivak and Rebecca Canterbury

If your child exhibits temper tantrums, you may believe that they are not capable of feeling complex emotions. But children are more perceptive than you may realize. They are able to pick up on your emotions and the things that you say, so it is imperative to filter what is said to them and in front of them.

To avoid upsetting your children, here are five things you should not do during a divorce or custody dispute:

Do not directly or indirectly encourage your children to choose between you and your ex-spouse;
Do not speak ill of your ex-spouse in front of the children;
Do not prevent your children from spending time with your ex-spouse;
Do not ask your children to pass messages to your ex-spouse;
Do not disclose details of your legal matters to the children.

Common Divorce Myths

Posted on November 13 2017 by Todd Spivak and Rebecca Canterbury

When it comes to divorce, many common beliefs are accepted as truths. However, the process of divorce is incredibly complex and every case is unique.

Here are some of the most common divorce myths and why they aren’t always true:

Mom always gets custody: In Pennsylvania, the law does not favor either parent for custody. The judge is required to look at what is in the child’s best interest.
Only women get alimony: Historically, women have been awarded spousal support or alimony more often than men. As more women enter the workplace and change gender roles, it is becoming more common for men to receive some form of alimony. Alimony is generally awarded to the lower earning spouse when there is a significant disparity in incomes.
I don’t need a divorce lawyer: Even if you are on good enough terms with your spouse going into the divorce, you need to make sure you have someone in your corner who is going to ensure your rights are protected.