Pittsburgh Family Law Firm
Child Custody: Parenting During COVID-19
Parents of young children may take solace or even find helpful tips or simple wisdom in hearing from others working through the challenges of parenting during the pandemic.
In a recently published letter, Lydia Kiesling relates meltdowns shared with her 6-year-old daughter during the lockdown:
“For months, she and I have found ourselves locked in an awful duet of upset and recrimination. I yell; she yells; we both cry. As March turned into April turned into June – as “you’ll see your friends soon” became “at least there will be kindergarten in the fall” became hopefully it will be safe by first grade” – it grew clear that even the most cosseted children won’t get out of this situation unscathed.”
She praises a seminal book on parenting: How to Talk So Kids Will Listen and Listen So Kids Will Talk, Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish.
The book reminded her that life is flying by:
“I spent so much of the early pandemic days in a holding pattern that I failed to realize that the pandemic had become reality – that our crisis mode urgently needed to be retooled for a longer journey, emotionally as much as logistically. Regardless of how we feel about this period, it is happening, and the days continue to pass.”
Spivak Law Firm handles all areas of family law, including: child custody, divorce, child support, spousal divorce, and Protection From Abuse (PFA). To schedule a consultation, call Spivak Law Firm at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.
Child Custody and Separation Anxiety
Separation anxiety is normal and happens as children begin to differentiate between things that are safe and familiar and things that are new and different.
Classic symptoms include clinginess when a parent or caregiver is present, and crying or short tantrums right after the person leaves the room or home.
For most kids, separation anxiety sets in between 8 and 12 months of age and fizzles out around age 3.
But for kids who have a condition called separation anxiety disorder, which affects between 3 and 5 percent of children, those meltdowns can persist into elementary school and even after. They may escalate over time and include physical symptoms such as headaches and stomach aches.
The current pandemic has added an extra layer of stress and disruption. Symptoms might increase, especially in households where one or more parents are essential workers who are now home less often.
Spivak Law Firm handles all areas of family law with a special focus on child custody, mental health, drug addiction, and domestic abuse.
To speak with an experienced child custody attorney, call Spivak Law Firm at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.
Talking to Kids About Divorce
Parents going through a divorce should take steps to protect their children’s emotional health.
Professionals recommend that parents determine in advance what they will say to their kids.
Parents should make clear that the divorce has nothing to do with the children, and work together to ensure consistency in their daily routines.
Individual counseling or family counseling may be helpful to address any lingering concerns.
Spivak Law Firm handles all family law matters, including: child custody, child support, divorce, and Protection From Abuse (PFA).
To schedule a consultation with an experienced family law attorney, call Spivak Law Firm at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.
Child Custody: Back to School Amid COVID-19
In Pennsylvania, many school districts are offering parents three options for school amid COVID-19:
- Option #1: Go to a physical classroom inside their school building
- Option #2: Attend school online only
- Option #3: Choose a hybrid of the first two options by going to a classroom for part of the week and attending school online for the remainder
Parents who share custody of their children may not agree on which option to choose. One parent may feel that send their child into a classroom is too risky given the coronavirus. One parent may feel strongly that the risk of infection by sending the child into a physical classroom is low and necessary to ensure proper learning.
If the parents cannot agree, then a hearing officer may make the decision for them at a school-choice hearing. Both parents will get the opportunity to explain their positions, and the hearing officer will make a decision based on the children’s best interests.
Spivak Law Firm provides strong, compassionate, cost-effective representation in all child custody and family law matters. Call us 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.
Modifying A Child Support Order
Parents can petition the court for a review and modification of their child support order at any time if they feel there is a change in circumstance that may affect the amount of the child support order.
Additionally, every three years the Domestic Relations Section will send each parent a notice asking if they want their support case reviewed.
The review is to make any appropriate increase, decrease, modification or termination of the support order.
Spivak Law Firm provides strong, compassionate, cost-effective representation in all family law matters, including: divorce, child custody, child support, and Protection From Abuse (PFA).
To schedule a free consultation, call Spivak Law Firm at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.
Enforcing Child Support Orders
The Pennsylvania Child Support Enforcement System (PACSES) is the statewide computer system used by the domestic relations section in each county.
PACSES maintains information related to child support payments, work history for each parents, and the history of the case.
Family court administrators use PACSES to monitor support payments and enforce support orders.
Spivak Law Firm handles all family law matters, including: divorce, child custody, child support, and Protection From Abuse (PFA).
To schedule a free consultation, call Spivak Law Firm at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.
Kids Who Witness Violence
Children who witness abuse suffer emotionally behaviorally, and cognitively.
There are no typical reactions to violence experienced by children.
Factors that may affect their behaviors include:
-Age
-Gender
-Amount of violence witnessed
-Type of abuse witnessed
-Whether the child is a victim as well as an observer of the abuse
Parents should try to be aware of behaviors that are unusual for a particular child and continue for a week or more.
If necessary, they should seek the help of a mental-health professional.
Spivak Law Firm handles all areas of family law with a special focus on child custody and domestic abuse. Call us today at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.
Do You Have a Last Will and Testament?
Do you and your loved ones have an updated Last Will and Testament? Public-health experts are projecting that millions of Americans may be killed by the Coronavirus in the coming months.
Spivak Law Firm is committed to helping families achieve their estate planning goals even during this crisis. We are handling all requests by telephone and email only in order to exercise social distancing and ensure our clients’ safety. In most cases, we are able to provide the Last Will and Testament to our clients by email on the same day that they retain us to draft the document.
A Last Will and Testament describes your wishes. It lists your beneficiaries, including specific family members and any charities. It names the executor of your will who can be trusted to carry out your wishes.
It also includes your directions for who will care for your children and your property, as well as directions for whether your body will be buried, cremated, or donated for purposes of medical research.
Having a will gives you peace of mind. It puts you in control over how your assets will be distributed. Without a will, such decisions are left to the courts.
We also recommend working with an attorney to draft a Power of Attorney to carry out your wishes regarding your health and finances if you become too sick and incapacitated due to the coronavirus.
At Spivak Law Firm, we understand that discussing death or a major medical emergency can be emotional and difficult. But we also understand the importance of preparing for the future.
Friendly and welcoming, we treat our clients with compassion, dignity, and respect. For a free phone consultation to discuss your Last Will and Testament, call Spivak Law Firm at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.
Child Custody and Parental Alienation
Parental Alienation Syndrome may occur in divorce and child custody disputes involving high levels of conflict between the parents.
The term conveys how a child’s relationship with one parent can be poisoned by the other parent.
Parental Alienation Syndrome describes a cluster of symptoms present in children who reject one parent as a direct result of strong, negative claims introduced by the other parent.
At Spivak Law Firm, we focus our practice on high-conflict child custody disputes involving allegations of domestic abuse, substance abuse, and parental alienation.
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.