South Hills Family Law
4 Co-Parenting Tips
If you have children and are getting a divorce, you will most likely need to work with the other parent on custody decisions. While this can be difficult, there are some steps you can take to make the process easier.
Here are 4 tips for co-parenting:
- Put your children first. Make decisions that are in your children’s best interests.
- Keep communication lines open. Good communication can avoid misunderstandings and keep your children from getting caught in the middle.
- Make documents accessible. Creating a shared document or file that both parents can access can help you quickly share all of the essential information about your children.
- Hire an experienced family-law attorney. Legal professionals familiar with child-custody issues are essential to ensuring a smooth co-parenting plan.
Spivak Law Firm handles all areas of family law, including: child custody, child support, divorce, spousal support, and Protection From Abuse (PFA). To speak with an experienced child custody attorney, call Spivak Law Firm as (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.
PFA and Same-Sex Couples
In May, Louisiana lawmakers voted to remove the requirement that a victim be of the opposite sex of the alleged offender to be considered a victim of domestic violence.
Representative Patrick Connick, the author of the bill, has argued that because the U.S. Supreme Court has legalized gay marriage, same-sex couples should be receiving equal protection under the law.
In Louisiana, a person charged with committing domestic violence is held for 72 hours, in part to allow the victim to find a safe place to stay to escape further abuse. LGBT victims haven’t had that protection, which already puts them at risk.
Spivak Law Firm helps victims of domestic violence get the legal protections they need at Protection From Abuse (PFA) hearings and by working with prosecutors on criminal domestic-violence cases. To schedule a consultation, call Spivak Law Firm at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.
PFA Orders in Pennsylvania
Q: What can a Protection From Abuse (PFA) order do?
A: In Pennsylvania, a Protection From Abuse Order can provide many protections, including:
- Making the abuser leave the home.
- Ordering the abuser to pay child support.
- Prohibiting the abuser from contacting the victim.
- Forcing the abuser to relinquish any firearms.
A PFA, also known as a restraining order, is a powerful tool to curb domestic violence.
Spivak Law Firm handles all areas of family law with a special focus on domestic violence and Protection From Abuse (PFA). Call us at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.
Child Custody and Child Support
When an ex falls behind on child support, some parents use it as an opportunity to refuse visitation. But, parents who refuse visitation when their ex owes child support may be held in contempt of court for violating the terms of the custody agreement.
It is important to understand that child support is not a fee that one parent pays to get access to the child. Rather, it is intended to prevent the child from being deprived of one parent’s income if that parent isn’t living with the child.
If you want to change the child-custody schedule, we recommend consulting an experienced family-law attorney.
At Spivak Law Firm, we aim to minimize the emotional and financial costs of child-custody litigation. To discuss the custody arrangement that best fits your family’s needs, call Spivak Law Firm at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.
PFA May Carry Financial Penalties
A Protection from Abuse (PFA) Order is a powerful tool for restricting the rights of the accused. In addition to prohibiting contact with the victim, the Court may order the abuser to pay for reasonable losses suffered by the victim, including: medical, dental, relocation, and counseling expenses. The court may also order the defendant to pay for ongoing financial needs such as health insurance and mortgage payments.
If you have filed, or have been served with a PFA, call Spivak Law Firm at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.
Shared Custody In Pennsylvania
In the past, divorce decrees offered children visits with their father every other weekend. But these visits were hardly enough to foster a father-child relationship.
Children who spend at least 35 percent of their time with each parent, rather than live with one and visit the other, have better relationships with their parents and do better academically, socially, and psychologically, according to more than 50 studies of joint physical custody.
Under Pennsylvania law, mothers and fathers may pursue shared custody schedules that allow for equal time with their children.
Spivak Law Firm helps parents assert their child-custody rights in Pittsburgh and all surrounding counties, including: Allegheny County, Beaver County, Butler County, Washington County, and Westmoreland County.
To speak with an experienced child custody and family law attorney, call Spivak Law Firm at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.
5 Tips For PFA Defendants
If you have been served a Protection From Abuse (PFA) Order, you must adhere to each of the stipulations. Violating a PFA can result in serious criminal penalties.
Here are 5 tips for PFA defendants to avoid violations:
- Do not contact the plaintiff in any way.
- Avoid all places where you know the plaintiff goes.
- Do not drive past the plaintiff’s residence.
- Do not attempt to contact the plaintiff through their friends or family.
- Retain an experienced PFA defense attorney.
Spivak Law Firm provides aggressive representation at PFA hearings in Pittsburgh and all surrounding counties, including: Allegheny County, Beaver County, Butler County, Fayette County, Indiana County, Washington County, and Westmoreland County.
To speak with an experienced PFA defense attorney, call Spivak Law Firm at (412) 344-4900 or (800) 545-9390.
Helping Kids With Stress
The standard response for problem children is to punish them. However, new studies show that making sure everyone in the school community understands the effects of trauma on children can help reduce their damaging effects.
Children who lack adequate protection from adults can experience potentially damaging effects. Researchers have learned that highly stressful childhood experiences have far-reaching implications for schools.
With this knowledge, schools can offer children special services that cater to their individual needs.
Spivak Law Firm handles all areas of family law with a focus on high-conflict child custody and allegations of domestic abuse. We handle: child custody, child support, divorce, spousal support, Protection From Abuse (PFA), and Children Youth and Families (CYF).
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: Sharing Time
In the past, sole custody was usually given to the mother because of society’s ideas about gender roles. However, in today’s world, with the image of the mother as primary caregiver changing as more fathers take on active roles in child-raising, other kinds of custody arrangements have emerged.
To date, more than 25 states have introduced bills advocating for shared parenting over sole custody.
Proponents of shared parenting argue that it allows children to spend as close to equal time as possible with both parents without placing an overwhelming burden on the mother or alienating the father.
Spivak Law Firm handles all areas of family law, including: child custody, child support, divorce, spousal support, and Protection From Abuse (PFA). To speak with an experienced child-custody attorney, call Spivak Law Firm at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.
Parental Alienation
A common issue in custody battles is when a parent intentionally attempts to alienate the children from the other parent. Trying to prove the alienation can be difficult and many judges are reluctant to allow children to testify in court.
Experts recognize the tragic impact serious alienation has on children, as the children may go on to have psychiatric disorders, failed relationships, and dysfunctional lives.
Spivak Law Firm helps parents assert their child-custody rights in Pittsburgh and all surrounding counties, including: Allegheny County, Beaver County, Butler County, Washington County, and Westmoreland County.