South Hills Family Law
Why Child Custody Orders Are Important
Child custody orders are important even for parents who mostly get along. They are essential for parents who don’t.
Child custody orders typically include the schedules for when each parent will have the children, including during summers and holidays.
For high-conflict cases, it is often important to have detailed orders that govern everything from custody exchange locations to vacations and modes of communication.
But even parents who typically communicate well benefit from orders that lay out expectations when conflict arises.
Parents are always able to deviate from the orders so long as they both agree.
Spivak Law Firm handles all family law matters, including: child custody, child support, divorce, and Protection From Abuse (PFA).
Call us today at (412) 344-4900 or (800) 545-9390.
Last Will and Testament Requirements
When making your Last Will and Testament, the following factors must be met for it to be deemed a valid legal document under Pennsylvania law:
- You must be 18 or older to make a Last Will and Testament.
- You must be of sound mind.
- Your will must be in writing, containing your signature or mark, or signed by another at your direction in your presence, and the signing must be done in the presence of two witnesses who also sign at the same time.
- You must have a date on the will of when it was created and signed.
- You must name a person to be the executor of your will. It is recommended that you also name a backup executor, as a contingency in case your first-named person cannot serve (or prefers not to serve) for some reason.
- You must list at least one substantive provision. For example, you must leave your property to a named person in your will.
Spivak Law Firm helps people carry out their wishes by drafting their Last Will and Testament and Powers of Attorney. For a free consultation, call Spivak Law Firm at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.
Teen Mental Health Issues
Statistics regarding teen mental health are, well, depressing.
More than 30% of high schoolers report persistent sadness.
About 20% say they have seriously considered suicide.
Teenagers may be happy to learn that some social scientists recommend combating these problems by advocating for less homework and later start-times at school.
Teenagers are not getting enough sleep, according to a recent Washington Post article:
“No one questions the benefits of sleep for babies and young children. But teenagers’ brains and bodies are changing and growing just as much as they did in their earliest years. The restructuring of the adolescent brain is pivotal to healthy development – and to a large extent, it occurs during sleep.”
Spivak Law Firm handles all areas of family law and criminal defense with a special focus on child custody and domestic abuse. Call us today at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.
Estate Planning Goals
What do you want to accomplish by having an estate plan in place? Here are a list of possibilities:
- Protecting your spouse if you die?
- Helping your children pay for college?
- Safeguarding your home and investments?
- Donating to your favorite charity?
- Ensuring that you have enough funds in retirement?
- Selecting caretakers for your minor children if both parents die?
- Passing along family heirlooms?
At Spivak Law Firm, we help our clients identify their goals and employ strategies to help achieve them. To schedule a consultation, call Spivak Law Firm at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.
Domestic Abuse: Behavioral Effects On Kids
Children who witness domestic violence may have the following behavioral effects:
- Poor impulse control
- Stress disorders and psychosomatic complaints
- Increased social isolation or withdrawal
- Increased deceptiveness
- Aggressiveness
- Dependence
- Passiveness
- Bed-wetting
- Nightmares
- Lack of creativity and healthy exploration
- Feelings of powerlessness
- Low self-esteem
- Feelings of worthlessness
- Confusion and insecurity
- Sadness and depression
- Poor definition of self
- Defines self in parenting role
- Ambivalence
- Constant fear
- Self-blame
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).
We provide strong, compassionate, cost-effective representation. To schedule a consultation, call Spivak Law Firm at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.
Three Types of PFA Orders
There are three types of PFA orders in Pennsylvania.
PFA stands for Protection From Abuse.
A PFA is a restraining order that prohibits the alleged abuser from having any contact with the alleged victim.
Under Pennsylvania law, abuse is defined broadly. It includes physical violence, sexual violence, threats of violence, harassment, and stalking.
A person seeking protection from a family member or current or former sexual partner may obtain one of the following three types of PFA orders.
First, an Emergency PFA will last through a weekend or holiday when courts are generally closed. It expires automatically.
Second, a Temporary PFA triggers a hearing date that is supposed to occur within ten days. In Allegheny County and other counties surrounding Pittsburgh, courts grant more than 90 percent of requests for a Temporary PFA.
Third, a Final PFA may be obtained by consent, failing to appear, or after a hearing before a judge. A Final PFA may remain in place for up to three years.
Spivak Law Firm provides strong, compassionate, cost-effective representation at PFA hearings. For a free consultation, call Spivak Law Firm at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.
What is an Emergency PFA?
A person seeking protection from an abuser may obtain an Emergency PFA even when courts are generally closed.
In Allegheny County, local magistrates and a night court judge are available to grant Emergency PFAs at any time, including: on weekends, during holidays, and late at night.
An Emergency PFA expires when courts resume their regular business hours. Therefore, an Emergency PFA granted on Saturday night will generally expire the following Monday.
A person who obtains an Emergency PFA will often return to Court during regular business hours to request a Temporary PFA, which will trigger a hearing date so a judge may determine whether a Final PFA is warranted.
A Final PFA can last up to three years.
The person accused of abuse does not receive any notice or opportunity to defend against the Emergency PFA or Temporary PFA.
Defendants are given the opportunity to challenge the abuse accusations at the Final PFA hearing before a judge.
Spivak Law Firm provides strong, aggressive representation at PFA hearings. To speak with an experienced PFA attorney, call Spivak Law Firm at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.
Temporary PFA v. Final PFA
If you are served with a Temporary PFA, a hearing will be scheduled within 10 days.
At the hearing, a judge will hear testimony and review evidence to determine if a Final PFA is warranted.
Most requests for a Temporary PFA are granted. No judge wants to deny a person’s request for protection then find out later that the person seeking help was seriously harmed.
The chances of obtaining a Final PFA are significantly lower, especially if you have an experienced PFA defense attorney.
The Final PFA represents the first time in the process that the defendant can push back on the abuse allegations.
The defendant can testify, cross-examine the accuser, call witnesses to the stand, and provide documentary evidence for the court to review.
Spivak Law Firm provides strong representation at PFA hearings in Pittsburgh and all surrounding counties, including: Allegheny, Armstrong, Crawford, Beaver, Buter, Fayette, Greene, Indiana, Lawrence, Mercer, Somerset. Venango, Washington and Westmoreland.
For a free consultation, call Spivak Law Firm at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.
Child Custody and Healthy Anxiety
Anxiety is a critical protective mechanism that children begin to develop during their first year of life.
Healthy anxiety warns us when danger might be ahead, and for babies and toddlers, separation anxiety marks a developmental milestone as children begin recognizing that loved ones offer the most safety and protection.
Short, manageable meltdowns that happen right after day care drop-off, at bedtime, or when a parent leaves the room are normal and generally self-limiting.
Those episodes can also happen during periods of transition, such as after moving into a new home or starting a new school.
They typically last only a few minutes and go away entirely after the child has had a few weeks to adjust to the new routine.
Spivak Law Firm provides strong, compassionate, cost-effective representation in all child custody and family law matters. To schedule a consultation, call Spivak Law Firm at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.
Final PFA: A Life-Long Record of Abuse
Many people who are served with a Temporary Protection From Abuse (PFA) Order make the mistake of not taking it seriously.
They might not hire an attorney. This is mistake because the alleged victim will almost certainly have an experienced trial lawyer. Pittsburgh and all surrounding counties have local nonprofit organizations that provide free lawyers for people alleging abuse.
Some defendants do not even show up to court for the Final PFA hearing. This is a mistake because failing to appear for the hearing will usually result in a maximum three-year Final PFA against you.
All defendants should have an experienced PFA attorney evaluate their case even if they no longer want to have contact with the person alleging abuse.
A Final PFA creates a permanent record of abusive behavior.
If you’ve been served with a PFA, call Spivak Law Firm today. For a free consultation, call us at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.