Pittsburgh Child Custody Lawyers
Child Custody and Separation Anxiety Disorder
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.
Final Preparations for Divorce
When preparing for divorce, you should take stock of all your financial assets and debts.
For many families, the most significant assets include the marital residence and retirement accounts. Other assets may include bank accounts, investment accounts, vehicles, jewelry, and furnishings.
Debts commonly include credit cards, mortgage balances, home-equity lines of credit, and student loans.
At Spivak Law Firm, we routinely help people determine the value of their marital estates and negotiate divorce settlement agreements.
To schedule a consultation, call Spivak Law Firm at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.
High-Conflict Divorce
Most divorce cases are settled by negotiation without need to go to court or stand before a judge.
But some high-conflict cases make settlement impossible.
Spouses may disagree on everything from how to divide the marital estate to the child custody schedule or how much child support or spousal support should be paid.
In such cases, the spouses may engage in multiple motions, hearings or trials before the divorce can be finalized.
There may also be need to undergo discovery – the formal court process for obtaining important information needed for trial. In divorce cases, discovery may be necessary to obtain key financial documents.
Spivak Law Firm has extensive experience in high-conflict divorce and child custody. To schedule a consultation, call Spivak Law Firm at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.
Domestic Violence and the “Boyfriend Loophole”
Existing federal law forbids people convicted of domestic violence against a current or former spouse to buy or own a firearm.
But what if the abuse was perpetrated by an intimate partner who is not your spouse?
Lawmakers may close the so-called “boyfriend loophole” to expand protections for abuse victims.
Efforts to renew the Violence Against Women Act include a provision to prohibit firearm ownership by those convicted of abusing, assaulting or stalking a dating partner, or to those under a restraining order.
Spivak Law Firm provides strong, compassionate, cost-effective representation. We handle all areas of family law and criminal defense with a special focus on domestic violence, child custody, and Protection From Abuse (PFA).
To schedule a consultation, call Spivak Law Firm at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.
Children Who Witness Domestic Abuse
Children who witness domestic abuse may have the following range of symptoms:
- Loss of appetite
- Sleep disturbance
- School problems – refuses to attend, truancy, poor performance
- Anxiety, fear of abandonment
- Increased violent behavior
- Verbal abusiveness, lying
- Regression – wanting bottle, baby talk, thumb sucking
- Perfectionism
- Shyness
- Tantrums
Spivak Law Firm handles all areas of family law, including: child custody, child support, divorce, Protection From Abuse (PFA) and Children Youth and Families (CYF).
To schedule a consultation, call Spivak Law Firm at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.
Divorce Rates Increase Due to Politics, Economy
Current political divisions have taken a toll on many relationships.
Family law attorneys and mental health professionals attest to an uptick in separation and divorce based at least partially on political differences.
Economic woes have also contributed to high stress levels experienced by many families, as fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic includes high rates of unemployment in many industries.
Spivak Law Firm provides strong, compassionate, cost-effective representation in all family law matters, including: divorce, child custody, child support, spousal support, division of assets and debts, estate planning, and Protection From Abuse (PFA).
To schedule a consultation, call Spivak Law Firm at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.
Guidance for Parents Seeking a Divorce
Parents who wish to get a divorce typically have four major issues to resolve.
First, you must determine how to divide time with your children. This is known as child custody. Many parents equally share custody of their children, though there may be reasons for one parent to serve as the primary caregiver.
Second, you must determine if either parent is eligible to receive financial assistance. This may come in the form of child support or spousal support. Child support will be paid until all the minor children turn 18 or graduate from high school. Spousal support may end when the divorce is resolved or, in some cases, continue even after the divorce in the form of alimony.
Third, you must divide the marital estate by determining the values for all assets and debts accumulated during the marriage. Assigning values to some assets can prove complicated. For instance, appraisals may be necessary to determine the value of the marital residence, family business, or retirement accounts.
Fourth, you must obtain a decree in divorce. The decree is a legal document issued by the Court of Common Pleas in your county indicating that the divorce has been finalized. Some spouses wish to resume their maiden name when finalizing a divorce.
Spivak Law Firm handles all areas related to divorce and family law, including: child custody, child support, spousal support, alimony, division of assets and debts, name changes, and Protection From Abuse (PFA). To schedule a consultation with an experienced divorce and family law attorney, call Spivak Law Firm at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.
Final Preparations for Divorce
When preparing for divorce, you should take stock of all your financial assets and debts.
For many families, the most significant assets include the marital residence and retirement accounts.
Other assets may include bank accounts, investment accounts, vehicles, jewelry, and furnishings.
Debts commonly include credit cards, mortgage balances, home-equity lines of credit, and student loans.
At Spivak Law Firm, we routinely help people determine the value of their marital estates and negotiate marriage settlement agreements.
To schedule a consultation, call Spivak Law Firm at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.
Child Custody and Health Issues
Childhood obesity rates have risen to alarming levels in America.
Due to increased awareness into the long-term health consequences associated with obesity, parents and courts have grown concerned.
During custody disputes, many Moms and Dads may point out the physical health of their children as an attack against the other parent.
Pennsylvania courts decide custody disputes in the best interests of the child.
If a child’s health problems associated with obesity are exacerbated by decisions made by a parent, this has the potential to negatively impact their case.
For instance, if Dad regularly provides fast food meals for his overweight, diabetic child, a judge could determine that primary custody should go to Mom, who regularly makes healthy meals and exercises with the child.
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 During COVID-19
COVID-19 has presented new challenges for people sharing custody of their children, as disagreements occur over how much the kids should be allowed to leave home or socialize.
Co-parents may disagree about school reopening, play dates, and extra-curricular activities.
In some Pennsylvania counties, including Allegheny County, courts have generally directed parents to follow their court-ordered schedules throughout the pandemic.
Spivak Law Firm provides strong, compassionate, cost-effective representation in all child custody and family law matters.
To schedule a free consultation, call us today at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.