Pittsburgh Divorce Law Firm
Divorce: Negotiating Settlements
In most divorce cases, attorneys informally provide one another documents regarding their clients’ marital assets and debts on their way to negotiating a financial settlement.
The parties have a legal obligation to share all relevant information prior to resolving their economic claims, including:
-Bank accounts
-Retirement accounts
-Investment portfolios
-Mortgage statements
-Credit card statements
If a financial settlement is reached, the attorneys will draft a marital settlement agreement or consent order of court resolving economic claims.
If necessary, we will also draft deeds transferring ownership of the residence and documents necessary to divide retirement accounts.
Spivak Law Firm handles all areas of family law, including divorce, spousal support, alimony, dividing assets and debts, child custody, and child support.
To schedule a consultation, call Spivak Law Firm at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.
Collaborative Divorce In Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania recently passed a law providing guidelines for collaborative divorce, in which couples may agree on any type of financial plans that work for them, even if it might be outside the authority of the courts.
In a collaborative divorce, each spouse is represented by an attorney and enters a participation agreement with the goal of preparing a legally binding agreement resolving all issues.
The parties agree at the outset that, should they fail to negotiate a resolution, they will each be required to retain new counsel and new law firms for any subsequent litigation.
The process allows divorcing couples to take more control of the outcome and to have privacy in resolving their differences without involving the court.
It typically involves numerous meetings with both parties, a collaborative coach and the attorneys.
The meetings address all elements of the divorce, including custody, support, and division of the marital assets.
The spouses may also be assisted by specialized experts such as tax accountants, financial planners, parenting coaches and counselors who are jointly retained by the parties.
Trained in collaborative divorce, Attorney Todd Spivak is an active member of the Collaborative Law Association of Southwestern Pennsylvania (CLASP). To learn more, call Spivak Law Firm at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.
In Family Court, Be Respectful
You may think that the conversation you are carrying on in the halls of Family Court will not get back to your judge. But there are eyes and ears everywhere in the courthouse, and news travels fast.
A flippant comment made out of frustration may be relayed back to the judge, which could hurt your case. Even worse, if your behavior rises to the level that security is called to calm you down or escort you from the courthouse, it could taint the way the judge views you and your case.
You never know who is listening in on your conversation, so be respectful at all times.
Spivak Law Firm handles all family law and criminal defense matters. For a free consultation call Spivak Law Firm at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.
Domestic Violence and Brain Injuries
When it comes to long-term brain trauma, sports-induced injuries monopolize the conversation, while injuries suffered by victims of domestic abuse fall to the wayside. But Dr. Robert Cantu, an expert on football-related injuries, has revealed that many survivors of domestic violence could suffer from the same traumatic brain injuries as professional sports players.
“Experts believe many cases go undetected and untreated in abused women, making them vulnerable to problems with thinking, mood and behavior,” according to The Associated Press.
The article notes that “repeated blows [to the head] have been linked with a degenerative brain disease called chronic traumatic encephalopathy … linked with memory loss, confusion, mood changes, and eventually dementia.” Dr. Robert Cantu added: “There are many women who have been abused enough that some of them probably have CTE.”
Spivak Law Firm handles all family law and criminal defense matters with a focus on domestic violence. For a free consultation call Spivak Law Firm at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.
Divorce: Risks For Kids
Research shows that divorce poses serious physical and emotional risks for children that can cause problems well into adulthood. Divorce can be a rough transition for children and it may be wise to enlist the help of a professional.
However, it is not abnormal for children to show signs of stress as they adjust. There are some general clues to look for when trying to decide whether your child needs therapy.
If you notice unusual behavior that persists for more than a couple of weeks, it is a sign your child might need help. Other specific symptoms include social withdrawal, increased sleepiness, and persistent mood swings.
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.
Marriage and Divorce Rates
As the national divorce rate falls to its lowest point in decades, 73% of U.S. adults say divorce is “morally acceptable,” a recent Gallup poll finds. Divorce rates have fallen below the heightened levels of the 1980s and 1990s.
Researchers found that marriage rates have also fallen with more young adults delaying marriage. It may be that both marriage and divorce are no longer viewed in moral terms but rather seen as legal processes.
Based in Pittsburgh, Spivak Law Firm routinely handles all areas of family law, including: divorce, spousal support, child custody, child support, and Protection From Abuse (PFA). To speak with an experienced family law attorney, call Spivak Law Firm at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.
Dividing Marital Property
Under Pennsylvania divorce law, marital property is divided through a process known as equitable distribution. Marital property includes property acquired during the marriage, such as: houses, cars, retirement accounts, jewelry, artwork, etc.
To save significant time, stress, and money, you may bypass the formal equitable distribution process by reaching agreement on the distribution of marital assets through a written Marriage Settlement Agreement.
Spivak Law Firm handles divorce, equitable distribution trials, and the drafting of Marriage Settlement Agreements. Call us at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.
Reduce Waiting Period for Divorce
If one spouse does not consent to a divorce, then the spouse seeking the divorce must wait two years before requesting a final decree. Currently Pennsylvania is considering legislation to reduce the waiting period for a contested divorce to one year.
Pennsylvania House Bill 380 calls for reducing the waiting period for a no-fault divorce based on separation from two years to one.
Proponents of the legislation say that expediting divorce will enable courts to focus greater attention on child custody disputes.
“Where the divorce is inevitable,” attorney Maryann Modesti testified at a recent meeting of the Pennsylvania House Judiciary Committee, “allowing the family to focus on the challenge of co-parenting as divorced parents is better than the emotional toll of a delay in the divorce litigation.”
Currently many other states impose a short waiting period than two years. For instance: Maryland has a one-year waiting period; New York has a six-month waiting period; and West Virginia imposes no waiting period at all.
To speak with an experienced Pittsburgh family law attorney, call Spivak Law Firm at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.