If you’ve been served with a Temporary Protection From Abuse (PFA) order, there may be a formal hearing. A Court of Common Pleas judge will hear all the evidence and determine whether to grant a Final PFA order, which can remain in effect for up to three years.

Many cases are “he-said, she said.” In other words, there is no clear, definitive evidence to show whether the alleged abuse occurred. The judge must closely observe the accuser and the alleged perpetrator of abuse to determine who appears more credible.

At Spivak Law Firm, we carefully prepare our clients so they have the best opportunity for success at their PFA hearing. We have helped hundreds of plaintiffs and defendants in PFA matters.

For a free consultation, call Spivak Law Firm at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.

Attorney Todd Spivak, owner of Spivak Law Firm, was featured in a recent news article regarding changes to the Protection From Abuse (PFA) law in Pennsylvania.

The Pennsylvania General Assembly recently passed a bill requiring people with Final PFA orders to surrender their firearms within 24 hours to law enforcement.

In the article, Attorney Spivak is described as a proponent for reforming the PFA law to curb false claims of abuse.

A PFA has serious consequences. It can take away:

• Your home: You may be permanently evicted from your residence.
• Your kids: You may lose custody of your children for an extended period of time.
• Your job: You may be terminated from your job, especially if you’re a police officer, teacher, daycare worker, or anyone subject to background checks.
• Your rights: You may lose your Constitutional right to possess firearms.
• Your freedom: You may be jailed and face criminal charges for allegedly violating any provision of an active PFA.

“If someone is willing to lie or exaggerate or fabricate on a PFA petition, what’s to stop them from lying about a violation of the order,” Attorney Spivak says in the article. “Defendants can have their lives turned upside down.”

Spivak Law Firm provides strong, aggressive defense in all PFA and criminal domestic-violence matters. Based in Pittsburgh, we routinely represent clients in Allegheny County, Beaver County, Butler County, Fayette County, Indiana County, Mercer County, Washington County, and Westmoreland County.

For a free consultation, call Spivak Law Firm at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.

Many people mistakenly believe that a Final Protection From Abuse (PFA) order won’t be granted unless there is definitive evidence of abuse.

This is simply not true.

Most cases of alleged domestic violence cannot be proved definitively. There may not be any eyewitnesses, medical records, photographs of injuries, or written correspondence to prove that abuse occurred.

But a judge may still order the Final PFA based on the credible testimony of the alleged victim. In other words, judges rely mainly on what the accuser says under oath when determining whether to grant a Final PFA.

If you have been served with a Temporary PFA, you are at great risk of a Final PFA unless you obtain effective legal representation.

For a free consultation with an experienced PFA attorney, call Spivak Law Firm today at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.

Under Pennsylvania law, anybody can file a Protection From Abuse (PFA) order against a lover or family member accusing them of harassment, physical violence, or other forms of domestic abuse.

In Pittsburgh and surrounding areas, judges grant more than 90 percent of Temporary PFA petitions, leading to a formal hearing within about 10 days.

Many people served with Temporary PFA Orders make the mistake of attending the hearing without an attorney. They often get pressured into signing orders that will hurt them later in life.

Even worse, they may lose at trial against an experienced attorney, resulting in a Final PFA Order that lasts up to three years and forever tarnishes their reputation as an abusive person.

Don’t let this happen to you.

At Spivak Law Firm, we provide strong, aggressive representation at PFA hearings in Pittsburgh and all surrounding counties, including: Allegheny, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Indiana, Lawrence, Washington, and Westmoreland.

To schedule a free consultation, call Spivak Law Firm at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.

The Pennsylvania legislature is considering a controversial bill to restrict sexual abusers from seeking alimony or even equitable distribution under the divorce code.

Alimony refers to the receipt of payments from a former spouse after the divorce has been finalized. Equitable distribution refers to the formal process for dividing marital property.

Spivak Law Firm strongly objects to the bill, which does not make clear whether a criminal conviction is required for the exceptions to apply.

The bill’s definition of “abuse” references the Protection From Abuse (PFA) statute. As a result, individuals with a PFA Order entered against them would be barred from receiving alimony or equitable distribution, leading to further abuse of the PFA system.

Spivak Law Firm provides strong, compassionate, cost-effective representation in all family law matters, including: divorce, child custody, child support, spousal support, and PFA. Call Spivak Law Firm at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.