South Hills Family Law
Couples Break Up In PFA Court
Under Pennsylvania law, Protection From Abuse (PFA) orders require a family or intimate relationship between the alleged victim and abuser.
While some rare cases pit parent against child or brother against brother, the vast majority of cases occur between spouses or ex-lovers.
PFA court can be highly emotional, as people are torn from their children, evicted from their homes, and fear losing their jobs.
An abuser often wants to reconcile with the person who obtained the PFA against them. In these situations, it is hard for them to accept that their relationship has been ended without an ability to speak or get closure.
Spivak Law Firm provides strong, compassionate, cost-effective 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.
If You Witness Domestic Abuse
While domestic violence typically happens behind closed doors, in some cases it occurs in a public space or around friends or family members, meaning that other people may witness or be aware of the abuse.
Here are 3 tips for what you might do to intervene:
- Take into account your own safety as well as the survivor’s. Gather a group of people to stand nearby and either verbally or physically intervene.
- Contact the authorities if necessary.
- Approach the victim afterwards in a private space and provide them with the contact information of support services.
Spivak Law Firm provides aggressive representation for plaintiffs and defendants in domestic violence cases, including Protection From Abuse (PFA), Children Youth and Families (CYF), and criminal domestic violence.
To schedule a free consultation, call Spivak Law Firm at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.
Divorce: Refinancing the Marital Residence
The marital residence often represents the greatest asset in a divorce. Some people sell the home and divide any proceeds remaining from the sale. In other cases, a decision will be made for one of the spouses to remain at the property after the divorce is finalized.
If both spouses are listed on the mortgage, it will be necessary to refinance the loan. Under a refinance, the spouse who stays at the marital residence will become solely liable for the mortgage and all fees related to the property. The lending institution will approve the refinance in most cases involving a good credit history.
Spivak Law Firm provides strong, compassionate, cost-effective representation in all divorce and family law matters. To schedule a consultation, call us today 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.
PFA Affects Coaches And Volunteers
If you coach youth sports, a Protection From Abuse (PFA) order could threaten your ability to volunteer your time with children and damage your reputation in the community.
Judges routinely grant requests for Temporary PFA Orders by people alleging abuse. In many Pennsylvania counties, judges grant more than 90 percent of PFA requests.
A PFA can restrict you from your home and your kids, as well as threaten your employment and even your liberty if you are accused of violating the Order.
Additionally, a PFA can appear on a mandatory background check that may bar you from coaching children – even if the accusations contained in the PFA have nothing to do with children.
Spivak Law Firm aims to help people in Pittsburgh and nearby counties to get the PFA dismissed. We have effectively represented many people who require a clean background check, including: coaches, teachers, police officers, nurses and childcare workers.
If you’ve been served with a PFA, call Spivak Law Firm at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.
PFA And Guns: Law Requires Police Involvement
Pennsylvania has adopted tougher rules for guns in domestic-abuse cases.
A new law requires that people subjected to a Final Protection From Abuse (PFA) order must turn over their guns to police.
PFA defendants will not longer be able to merely let a family member or friend take possession of the firearms.
For years, Pennsylvania’s “third-party safekeeping” provision allowed PFA defendants to choose a person to hold onto their guns. Police would run a criminal-background check to ensure the person was permitted to possess firearms.
During legislative hearings, the Pennsylvania Sheriffs’ Association expressed concerns about the cost of storing guns.
Spivak Law Firm provides strong, aggressive representation at PFA hearings and all criminal domestic-violence hearings. We routinely handle PFAs and PFA violations, as well as criminal cases alleging simple assault, harassment, stalking, reckless endangerment, and terroristic threats.
To schedule a free consultation, call Spivak Law Firm at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.
Child Custody: Kids Thrive In Routines
Between school life and home life, children of divorce need the consistency of a routine. The day-to-day life of a child is important to their overall development, and studies show that having structure at home is linked to academic success.
Having a routine can also help a child maintain a sense of normalcy despite the chaos of divorce.
Maintaining a set homework time and bedtime are two routines that can provide normalcy to a child.
In addition to routine, hiring an experienced divorce attorney can help you create a child custody plan that works for your family.
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.
PFA Prohibits Even Friendly Contact
A Protection From Abuse (PFA) Order is granted based on allegations of abusive contact. This includes physical abuse, sexual abuse, threats of abuse, harassment, and stalking.
Once a PFA Order becomes effective, it prohibits all contact with the alleged victim.
Even non-abusive contact is strictly forbidden.
People are commonly arrested for violating PFAs by simply texting them a message that is well-intended and non-threatening.
But even a non-threatening, technical violation of a PFA may result in your arrest.
Spivak Law Firm provides strong, compassionate, cost-effective representation at PFA hearings in Pittsburgh and all surrounding counties, including: Allegheny, Beaver, Butler, Cambria, Crawford, Fayette, Indiana, Lawrence, Mercer, Washington and Westmoreland.
If you have been served with a PFA or face criminal charges for violating a PFA, call Spivak Law Firm at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.
Protecting Kids In Divorce
Divorce can be one of the most difficult challenges in a person’s life. You are learning to cope with a divided family, and you may harbor ill feelings toward your ex-spouse.
As tempting as it may be, it is important to never vent about your ex-spouse to your children. Consider reserving those feelings for friends or counselors.
Remind yourself that the issues between you and your ex-spouse are between the two of you.
Avoid putting your children in the middle of conflict and making them feel as though they have to choose sides.
Spivak Law Firm provides strong, compassionate, cost-effective representation in all family law matters. Call us at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.
PFA Destroys Reputations
A Protection From Abuse (PFA) Order can ruin a person’s reputation.
A PFA is a restraining order that alleges abusive behavior, such as: physical violence, sexual violence, harassment, threats of violence, or stalking.
In Pennsylvania, most defendants first learn about the PFA when a police officer serves them with the Order.
This can be humiliating when done at work where colleagues and employers are immediately made aware of the issue.
It’s no less embarrassing when served at home in front of neighbors and family.
The PFA petition, which details the alleged abuse, is an easily accessible public document.
The petition may contain lies or exaggerations, though it appears official because it is part of a formal Order of Court signed by a judge.
At Spivak Law Firm, we provide strong defense at PFA hearings. We also help people erase PFA petitions and orders from the public record when possible.
If you’ve been served with a PFA, call Spivak Law Firm at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.