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Pay your Child Support Online – Make an Online Payment

If your employer is not withholding your newly court ordered child support through a wage attachment, or you have been ordered to pay your support directly to Harrisburg you are able to pay online using one of several electronic payment options which we have linked here. This option is also available if you are are not comfortable making a support payment via regular mail because of the new social distancing rules.

https://www.humanservices.state.pa.us/csws/CSWS_controller.aspx?cRQHhArIk0O9Php1qhohHcNUBjNj2emMqERrPzKJijytEHWnI_TLgD9XxKQ2JwwA@_Msq8rmjEBd96qkMotWMQiiG6VIq@BIWDT6wh0DyiMg2L5gsiqW

Request a Child Support Modification – Use This Form (OM-501) to file for Modification of Child Support On-Line

If you have a substantial change in circumstances, such as a reduction of hours worked, furlough or  loss of your job as a result of the Coronavirus (Covid-19) mandates in PA regarding what are considered essential businesses, forced business closures or directives to stay home from work, you can file on-line to modify your support to preserve retroactivity when the courts reopen and begin addressing these unprecedented issues.

https://www.humanservices.state.pa.us/CSWS/CSWS/forms/CS_OM501_E.pdf

File a New Child Support Case on-line using the forms found here at the PA Child Support Website

If you have had an informal agreement with the parent of your child, but due to the coronavirus pandemic, they have indicated that they will not continue to pay you monthly child support, you are able to file a formal child support complaint, to establish retroactivity for when the family courts reopen. There are several forms you need to fill out and they are all on the PA Child Support website linked below.

https://www.humanservices.state.pa.us/CSWS/csws_controller.aspx?ue@BjBiIZmaiEgm7mBpy0Kf@WyTVHDgFaCm4tVlkziHXViVmJSvQHU668Yy9vB4Hat5FS5LUFu008f2fI7h5KY9WGBQAnebIcef6LHfe8gkRr0Y@FWS5

As always, we provide updated links to additional Free Legal Resources which can answer many of your PA Family Law questions and we continue to provide answers to Frequently Asked Questions. We are also available by phone if you have specific questions or require legal assistance from an experienced Pittsburgh Family Law attorney. Call today 412.303.9566. Video meetings and online payment.

Family Division

Child Support, Divorce, Alimony, & Equitable Distribution of Property

-Scheduled conferences and hearings in support, custody, equitable distribution, and divorce are suspended until further Order of Court.

-With the consent of the parties, any matter may be presented to the Court by motion, without a hearing, pursuant to the judges’ procedures on the website, for entry of an Order.

Custody

-Emergency custody motions will be addressed on a case by case basis. For emergency custody motions please contact the court by email at emergencycustody@alleghenycourts.us Monday through Friday between 9:00 A.M. and 3:00 P.M.

-With the consent of the parties, any matter may be presented to the Court by motion, without a hearing, pursuant to the judges’ procedures on the website, for entry of an Order.

Protection from Abuse

-Until further Order of Court, all Temporary Protection from Abuse matters will be handled at the Pittsburgh Municipal Court Building, 660 First Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15219. Proceedings will be handled using Advanced Communication Technology.

-Temporary Protection from Abuse Petitions will be handled during the hours of 8:00 A.M. and 2:00 P.M Monday through Friday.

-Emergency Protection from Abuse petitions will be handled from 2:00 P.M. until 8:00 A.M. Monday through Friday and 24 hours Saturday and Sunday.

-Final Protection from Abuse Hearings are suspended until further Order of Court.

-Temporary Orders for Protection from Abuse shall remain in effect until fifteen (15) days after the end of the judicial emergency unless otherwise indicated in the Temporary Order.

-Until further Order of Court Indirect Criminal Contempt (ICC) Complaints will not be accepted by private petition.

-ICC Police Complaints will be accepted, and bail hearings will be held before a Magisterial District Judge using Advanced Communication Technology. If a defendant is detained, a bail hearing shall be held before the Judge assigned to hear the Temporary PFA Petitions.

-Hearings on ICC Complaints are suspended until further Order of Court.

As always, we provide updated links to additional Free Legal Resources which can answer many of your PA Family Law questions and we continue to provide answers to Frequently Asked Questions. We are also available by phone if you have specific questions or require legal assistance from an experienced Pittsburgh Family Law attorney. Call today 412.303.9566. Video meetings and online payment.

The below links are a collection of resources that may be helpful to you and your family during these uncertain and challenging times. These links contain LOTS of information and can answer many of your questions. At the same time, things are constantly evolving during this unprecedented global pandemic.

We are available to assist Parents and Divorcing Couples by explaining how your existing custody or support case may be impacted the changing directives to: shelter in place, stay home from work or work remotely and to practice social distancing.

Law Offices of Scott L. Levine, LLC – Since 2008.

Free Phone Consultation: 412.303.9566.

Allegheny County Coronavirus Resources

Allegheny Alerts – Allegheny County Community Notification System 
Allegheny County COVID-19 web page 
Allegheny County Health Department Facebook page 
Allegheny County Health Department on Twitter 
Allegheny County Health Department online message form
Allegheny County Health Department phone line:  412-687-2243 
City of Pittsburgh COVID-19 Response Updates web page 

Pennsylvania Coronavirus Resources

Commonwealth of PA COVID-19 web page  
Commonwealth of PA phone line:  1-877-PA-HEALTH (1-877-724-3258)

Federal Coronavirus Resources

National Institutes of Health 
Centers for Disease Control 
Centers for Disease Control online message form 
Centers for Disease Control question phone line:  800-232-4636

Additional Coronavirus Resources

American Association of Family and Conciliation Courts Coronavirus (Covid-19) Resources and Information
Seven Guidelines for Parents – Joint Statement from AAML & AFCC
Center for Disease Control (CDC) Coronavirus (Covid-19) Resources
National Center for State Courts Coronavirus News Updates, Court Administrative Order and More Resources
National Center for State Courts – State Court Responses
NACC COVID-19 Resource Hub ACC COVID-19 Resource Hub 

As always, we provide updated links to additional Free Legal Resources which can answer many of your PA Family Law questions and we continue to provide answers to Frequently Asked Questions. We are also available by phone if you have specific questions or require legal assistance from an experienced Pittsburgh Family Law attorney. Call today 412.303.9566. Video meetings and online payment.

Questions about how the latest coronavirus closures and social distancing rules in Pennsylvania apply to your existing Pittsburgh, PA or Allegheny County family law case?

Call the Law Offices of Scott L. Levine, LLC today (412 303 9566) for a free phone consultation for answers about child custody, child support, divorce and protection from abuse during these unprecedented times.

We strive to bring you the most up to date information about court issues as they unfold during this trying time.

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court updated statewide court information last evening, March 18, 2020, effective Thursday March 19, 2020.

It reads:

“In an effort to further restrict potential COVID-19 exposure within the courts, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court today announced that all Pennsylvania courts – including trial and intermediate appellate courts – are closed to the public for non-essential functions through at least April 3, 2020.

The statewide court closure also includes magisterial district courts, Philadelphia Municipal Court, and Pittsburgh Municipal Court, Arraignment Division.

In addition, the Court has suspended all time calculations and deadlines relevant to court cases or other judicial business through April 3, 2020. The Court has also authorized and encouraged the use of advanced communication technology to conduct emergency court proceedings.

In the Courts of Common Pleas, the Order outlines essential functions as:

• Emergency bail review and habeas corpus hearings;
• Gagnon 1 hearings;
• Bench warrant hearings pursuant to Pennsylvania Rule of Criminal Procedure 150;
• Juvenile delinquency detention;
• Juvenile emergency shelter and detention hearings;
• Temporary protection from abuse hearings;
• Emergency petitions for child custody;
• Emergency petitions for guardianship;
• Civil mental health reviews (50 P.S. §302)
• Any pleadings or motions relating to public health concerns and involving immediate and irreparable harm; and
• Any other function deemed by a president judge to be essential consistent with constitutional requirements.

In addition, court calendars, scheduling notices, subpoenas or other court orders compelling appearance by any attorney, litigant or other participant in non-essential cases are continued or postponed until further order.

Except for ongoing trials, jury and non-jury trials (both criminal and civil) are suspended and jurors do not need to report for duty on or before April 3, 2020.

The Court has offered the following guidance to magisterial district courts, Philadelphia Municipal Court, and Pittsburgh Municipal Court, Arraignment Division (minor courts) with regards to essential functions:

• Preliminary arraignments (bail setting) for bailable cases;
• Criminal case filings and subsequent processing;
• Preliminary hearings for incarcerated persons only;
• Issuance of search warrants; and
• Emergency protection from abuse petitions.

The Court’s Order also directs that, during the period of judicial emergency, no eviction, ejectment or other displacement from a residence based on failure to make payment can be made. It also suspends Rule of Criminal Procedure 600 in all judicial districts.

Unless otherwise designated by a President Judge, all other cases pending are postponed.

Minor courts are directed to accept payments by mail, electronically (online), or by telephone where possible.

QUESTIONS ABOUT HOW THE LATEST CORONAVIRUS CLOSURES AND SOCIAL DISTANCING RULES IN PENNSYLVANIA APPLY TO YOUR EXISTING PITTSBURGH, PA OR ALLEGHENY COUNTY FAMILY LAW CASE?

CALL LAW OFFICES OF SCOTT L. LEVINE, LLC TODAY FOR A FREE PHONE CONSULTATION FOR ANSWERS ABOUT CHILD CUSTODY, CHILD SUPPORT, DIVORCE AND PROTECTION FROM ABUSE DURING THESE UNPRECEDENTED TIMES.

As always, we provide updated links to additional Free Legal Resources which can answer many of your PA Family Law questions and we continue to provide answers to Frequently Asked Questions. We are also available by phone if you have specific questions or require legal assistance from an experienced Pittsburgh Family Law attorney. Call today 412.303.9566. Video meetings and online payment.

“Pursuant to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court’s Order dated March 16, 2020, President Judge Clark has declared a judicial emergency in the Fifth Judicial District from March 16, 2020 to April 14, 2020. The EMERGENCY ORDER sets forth procedures for Court Operations, including the Court of Common Pleas and the Magisterial District Courts during that period. This Order is subject to modification as the situation further develops.”

The above mentioned Emergency Order sets forth:

• All time calculations for the purposes of time computation relevant to court cases or other judicial business, as well as time deadline, are suspended subject to constitutional restrictions.
• Additional uses of advanced communication technology to conduct court proceedings, is authorized subject to constitutional restrictions.
• All provisions of this Order apply to cases scheduled from March 17, 2020 through April 14, 2020.

Pertinent Parts are as follows:

Civil Division:

• Jury Trials are suspended pending further Order of Court and non-jury trials may be suspended on a case by case basis.

Criminal Division

• All court events, except as indicated below, in each of the criminal division courtrooms will be postponed.

Family Division – Adult Section

• Scheduled conferences and hearings in support, custody, equitable distribution, and divorce will be postponed;
• Protection from Abuse matters will be heard as normal.

As always, we provide updated links to additional Free Legal Resources which can answer many of your PA Family Law questions and we continue to provide answers to Frequently Asked Questions. We are also available by phone if you have specific questions or require legal assistance from an experienced Pittsburgh Family Law attorney. Call today 412.303.9566. Video meetings and online payment.

We’ve been a paperless office with full remote working capabilities, redundant systems and phone meetings for over a decade for your PGH Family Law needs.

Law Offices of Scott L. Levine, LLC – forward thinking and compassionate legal guidance since 2008.

We’re also just a call away @ 412 303 9566.

When families travel and who have young children as well, legal tint in TN is a very important subject. This article is intended to provide readers with a clear understanding of why legal tint in TN is important when traveling with children. Also, how a family’s situation can be impacted by the decision to use legal window tint or not.

Now, this article is not intended to be exhaustive in nature. That is, there are many technicians who can tell more about legal tint in TN and how it may affect families when traveling with children. This article simply represents Scott L. Levine’s legal opinion and some inferences based on his client’s experiences. In doing legal work for many years, Scott L. Levine has been able to observe how families interact during difficult times or sometimes, good times. Scott L. Levine seeks to provide information to help his clients pick safe and responsible solutions when acquiring window tint. Scott L. Levine’s solutions will likely come with some expenses but those expenses can be calculated against the costs of not maintaining vehicle safety standards. Then, it can be decided what is truly important or necessary.

Did you know that not having legal tint on your vehicle can increase your insurance costs? Insurance companies will not give you a break for having legal tint in TN like they will in other states without tint laws or regulations. Legitimate tint can help save your family money. Insurance companies will run much higher costs when vehicles with non-compliant tint, even if they hide the fact. Why is it so important? They may request additional information about your vehicle that otherwise would not be necessary with legal tint in TN.

If you are looking to modify your windows on your vehicle and want to do it legally according to Tennessee rules and regulations, you have to follow the specifications in the vehicle code which help in the interpretation of the laws to apply to everyday circumstances. Those specifications can be found at Tennessee Window Tinting Laws Explained. If you have some questions about how window tint may be applied to your vehicle, I highly recommend giving this article a read and helping your legal counsel help you pick safer options when choosing window tint.

For more information on vehicle regulations, you can visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Fans of the compassionate family law attorney concept put forth by Scott L. Levine in his post on consumer advocacy and support will appreciate the depth of his sensitivity to these matters when one considers the subject of this post and how financial elements such as a financial instrument known as a put option agreement might come into play during a family law proceeding such as a divorce.

Many financial instruments and contractual arrangements are drafted in ways that do not make that easy for non-specialists to quickly understand their implications. A put option agreement is one such financial instrument (possibly used as a financial gamble, but one that has other uses as well) that can have implications for dividing things up or arranging for future financial security in a family law context.

The key to applying the concept of a put option agreement to a family law context is the definition of this technical term in a way that non-specialists can relate to. In simple terms, a put option agreement is a financial instrument that gives the holder the option to sell an asset, such as a company stock, back to the issuer of the asset at a set price, rather than wait for it to be valued in the marketplace or perhaps go down in value.

Family law clients who may encounter such financial contracts may want to consider the following:

1. The most important factor in interpreting a put option agreement is what it is aiming to achieve in terms of selling some asset back to selling parties or companies.
2. Once the nature of the put option agreement is understood, it may become possible to apply the concept to a dividing up assets in a divorce or negotiating a prenuptial agreement.
3. When family law clients first come in to discuss their issues with an attorney, it is important to ensure they ask their lawyer detailed questions about any put option agreements and the implications they may have.
4. It may help to think through the use of put option agreements and financial issues for one or both parties to a divorce or other family law action, and see how better those contracts could be structured to make certain matters more palatable.
5. Options are not limited to the way that put option agreements are currently perceived and constructed. It may also be possible to work with a knowledgeable attorney and find solutions that better represent the interests of clients.
6. In certain cases, the put option agreement may mean that some of the parties’ value may be “vapor” – something that cannot be subdivided, transferred or sold, and that is essentially great in theoretical value but without any practical value.
7. But if one party recognizes certain key financial elements such as a put option agreement and ensures that the settlement mechanisms they negotiate take these financial elements into account, they may end up being well ahead of the other party, who may not recognize the implications of these instruments.
8. Knowledge is power. Staying ahead of an opponent with respect to key contact information and financial mechanisms is tantamount to winning a competition, and these family law matters can be viewed as competitions.
9. Put options and other contractual arrangements may be formalized in a number of ways. Just because a person sees a reference to put options in some agreement does not mean that the put option has been correctly executed or that the agreement itself is binding.
10. Diligent investigation of financial matters during a family law proceeding such as a divorce can pay off handsomely for those who engage a skilled family law attorney.

The question of how to prove adultery in court can be an essential part of proving your case for divorce, establishing custody rights, and even for requesting alimony from a cheating spouse. In order to do so, you will need the help of a skilled attorney with extensive experience in proving adultery in court.

If you suspect your spouse of being unfaithful or have recently discovered that they have been cheating on you, there are numerous legal implications of this conclusive evidence that only a competent family law attorney will be able to help you navigate. That’s where we come in.

“Proving Adultery in Court: Essential Evidence and Strategies,” a promoted legal article by Jane Doe, elaborates on all the points above and provides much needed clarity for divorce and family law matters involving cheating spouses. The article discusses the legal definition of adultery, its consequences during divorce proceedings, the impact of adultery on child custody arrangements, and the potential effect on alimony agreements. It goes into further details about the methods of proving adultery in court, how your attorney might gather evidence, and whether or not that evidence is admissible in court.

“Proving Adultery in Court: Essential Evidence and Strategies” also covers the role of private investigators and the privacy issues that arise when trying to prove adultery in court. If you are accused of adultery or if you suspect your spouse of infidelity, speaking to a family lawyer is your best bet. There are many factors to consider when proving adultery and potential ways to turn the tables on your spouse. The entire process gets complicated extremely quickly, so having the assistance of a lawyer is essential.

Whether you have adequate evidence of your spouse’s infidelity in the form of emails, text messages, or other personal communications, or you need assistance gathering that evidence in a way that is admissible in court, Scott L. Levine, The Compassionate Lawyer™, can assist you with both. It is clear that speaking with a competent family law attorney is an essential part of proving adultery in court.

For more information on legal definitions and implications, you can visit this Wikipedia page on adultery.