- DivorceAfter a divorce, the woman may wish to change her name legally back to her maiden name. As an experienced divorce and family law attorney, I can help you obtain court approval by assisting you with filling out all of the necessary legal documents. If you are getting married, the process is virtually the same. Nearly 80% of brides decide to change their last name to match their new spouses. I can help you go from Ms. to Mrs. quickly and efficiently.
- Child SupportAt Allegheny Attorneys at Law, my law firm is dedicated to helping clients who are dealing with difficult child support issues. I provide legal consultation, strategy, and full representation throughout the entire legal process. I will fight for your rights and help you negotiate your divorce settlement.
- Child Custody and VisitationFor a parent, the well being of his or her child is paramount in their lives and, as a result, child custody disputes are among the most challenging legal issues one can face.
- Adoption
- GuardianshipThe Courts of Common Pleas are the trial courts of Pennsylvania. Major civil and criminal cases are heard in these courts. Judges also decide cases involving adoption, divorce, child custody, abuse, juvenile delinquency, estates, guardianships, charitable organizations and many other matters.
- Spousal SupportIn a fault-based divorce, one spouse is arguing that the other has committed some form of misconduct. Such grounds include bigamy, adultery, abandonment for a minimum of one year, cruelty or domestic violence, and one person’s imprisonment for at least two years. These fault grounds can factor into alimony decisions even though they are not considered in the awarding of property.
- Legal SeparationAccording to Pennsylvania law, "annulment" and "divorce" represent very different actions. A divorce is considered a legal separation or dissolution of a contract (the contract being the occurrence of a legitimate marriage). The divorce process will dissolve the marriage and address the legal implications of the marriage. In other words, not only will the marriage end, but you and your ex will need to make arrangements for considerations such as child custody, property division, and spousal support
- AnnulmentIn Pennsylvania, an annulment is available when a marriage is invalid right from its intended beginning. If you are considering an annulment, it is important to talk to an experienced annulment attorney in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Your attorney will give you the best advice and guidance on how to end your marriage quickly and with as little hassle as possible.
- Child AbuseIn the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, "Dependent, Neglected, or Abused" (DNA) actions comprise of cases involving child abuse or child neglect petitioned in family courts across the state. The purpose of a DNA action is to provide adequate protection and care for a child who may be at risk for abuse or neglect, including sexual victimization and physical or emotional neglect.
- Criminal DefenseIf you've been arrested and charged with theft, retaining an aggressive PENNSYLVANIA CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY immediately is crucial to strategize your defense. At Marc V. Taiani, Esquire and Allegheny Attorneys at Law, P.C., we have the resources and experience to guide and represent clients who have been wrongfully accused of larceny or theft. As your legal counsel, we will evaluate and investigate all the surrounding facts of your case, explore your possible defenses, and refute the allegations against you with substantial evidence.
- DUI/DWIOther restrictions apply as well. You cannot have ever been convicted of a violent crime or declared mentally ill by a court. You must be a citizen or lawful permanent resident. You cannot have more than two DUIs within five years, nor be a drug addict or habitual drunkard. You also cannot be a fugitive from justice or under a protective order for abuse.
- Traffic ViolationsWhen a driver is convicted for speeding 31 miles per hour or more over the posted speed limit, the driver will have to attend a Departmental hearing.
- Sex CrimesIn my experience, the vast majority of people charged with possession of child pornography aren’t sexual predators. Rather, they’re people who clicked the wrong link, downloaded the wrong image, or had no way of knowing that the pornography they viewed depicted someone underage.
- RobberyTo be found guilty of robbery, the Commonwealth must prove that a defendant, in the course of committing a theft, threatens another with, or intentionally puts her in fear of, immediate bodily injury or physically takes or removes property from the person of another by force, no matter how slight. This includes any mugging or pickpocketing, regardless of whether the victim suffers any physical injury.
- BurglaryUnder Pennsylvania law, burglary constitutes the entry of a building or other “occupied†structure, or separately secured portion thereof, with the intent to commit a crime, unless the premises are at the time open to the public or the actor is licensed or privileged to enter. A primary issue regarding the penalty for a burglary conviction is whether the building is occupied at the time of the alleged offense.
- Theft
- MisdemeanorsCriminal mischief can range from a Misdemeanor of the Third Degree to a Felony of the Third Degree based on the monetary loss resulting from the damage to another’s property. Criminal mischief encompasses a wide range of activities from tampering with personal property to defacing or damaging real, personal, private, or public property.
- Drug CrimesBringing a conspiracy charge is a simple and effective way for prosecutors to try to convict many parties alleged to be involved in a common scheme of criminal activity. In fact, a person needs even not be physically present when the underlying crime is committed to being responsible for a conspiracy. Many if not most conspiracy charges involve drug trafficking charges, and are often brought by Federal authorities. In either case, if you are convicted of conspiracy, the penalties will be the same as those for the underlying offense, which can mean significant jail time for individuals who were nowhere near the ‘scene of the crime’.
- AssaultIn the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, a person may be charged with assault crimes for inflicting or attempting to cause physical injury to another person. Such offenses include simple assault and aggravated assault. According to statistics from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program, there were 39,228 reported cases of violent crimes in Pennsylvania, including about 24,465 incidents of aggravated assault in 2019. Depending on the surrounding circumstances, as well as the severity of the injuries inflicted, the offender may face severe penalties, including substantial fines and a lengthy prison sentence.
- MurderDepending on the circumstances surrounding the criminal offense, murder may be charged in Pennsylvania as first-degree murder, second-degree murder, or third-degree murder (Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes Title 18 Section 2502).
- Probation ViolationAccording to a report by The Council of State Governments Justice Center, approximately 45 percent of admissions in state prison across the United States in 2017 were due to probation or parole violations. In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, probation violation is a serious infraction that usually attracts further ramifications, including additional prison sentences. However, every case is often unique and depends on the terms or conditions of the probation that was violated.
- Identity TheftAs a society, we do a lot of our business online — from our daily jobs to browsing, shopping, research, and social media interactions, just to name a few. Because of the overwhelming amount of internet traffic that happens every single day, users are susceptible to computer crimes. While many people are wary of identity theft, accidentally clicking on the wrong link or downloading the wrong file can lead to false accusations of internet sex crimes. This type of criminal offense carries serious consequences, whether the violation was purposeful or not.
- HomicideHomicide can be described as an act of killing another human being, be it lawfully or unlawfully. According to the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes Title 18 Section 2501, a person is guilty of criminal homicide if they intentionally, recklessly, or negligently cause the death of another human being. Some common examples of homicide include...
- ShopliftingAccording to statistics from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program, there were about 179,665 reported property crimes incidents in Pennsylvania in 2019, including 143,921 cases of larceny-theft. In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, theft offenses may include misdemeanor thefts, felony theft, shoplifting, or thefts committed during disasters. A defendant convicted of any of these theft crimes may face devastating consequences, including imprisonment, hefty fines, and other life-long social ramifications, depending on the value of the property stolen.
- Restraining OrderAdministration for Children and Families, there were 4,817 total child maltreatment victims in Pennsylvania in 2019. In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, child neglect and abuse charges are serious offenses that usually result in significant ramifications for the parent or legal guardians who harmed the child under their care. A defendant convicted of such an offense may be facing massive fines, lengthy jail time, loss of custody rights, restraining order, or possible deportation.
- ManslaughterThe potential consequences of a Pennsylvania vehicular manslaughter conviction usually depend upon the circumstances surrounding the incident. Possible penalties may include...
- Internet CrimesAn internet sex crime carries serious consequences for the accused. If you’ve been charged with the viewing, possessing, or selling child pornography or solicitation of minors or prostitutes, under no circumstances should you try to take on your case alone. For your best chance at a successful outcome that doesn't ruin your life — contact my firm, Allegheny Attorneys at Law, today.
- ExtortionIt is a federal offense to use the mail to transmit threatening communications or threatening to harm the president. In addition, using intimidation as a strategy for collecting unpaid debt is held under unlawful communication, and you may be prosecuted for extortion. These threats do not fall under an individual’s First Amendment right to free speech.
- Business DisputesContract disputes. Contract disputes may arise when contracts contain vague or ambiguous language or one of the parties fails to perform their contractual obligations.
- Severance Agreement
- Real Estate LitigationWhether you’re buying or selling a home, the process can seem overwhelming if you are not familiar with real estate law. Real estate transactions involve substantial risks due to the amount of money at stake. That is why you may need the guidance and assistance of a real estate transactions attorney in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to protect your best interests during every stage of your transaction.
- Real Estate TransactionsReal estate transactions are often stressful and more complicated than you might expect. Having an experienced attorney advise you can ensure that the process is fair and hassle-free. Reasons to retain counsel when entering into a real estate transaction include...
- Land Use and Zoning
- Landlord-Tenant DisputesA landlord's professional relationships are founded in the contract between parties referred to as the lease agreement. Most landlord-tenant relationships involve written contracts or leases, but verbal agreements may also be binding and enforceable.
- Property Damage
- Personal InjuryIf you have been convicted of Driving Under the Influence (DUI), granted ARD for DUI, aggravated assault by vehicle with DUI, driving under suspension with DUI, suspended for refusal to submit to chemical testing, or offense for death or personal injury without a license within the preceding seven (7) years, you are not eligible for a PL until seven (7) years have passed.
- Wills
- ForeclosureFollowing economic downturns, home foreclosure rates across the state and nation rise dramatically. In 2010, it is expected that over one million American homes may be foreclosed upon. Both the state of Pennsylvania and Allegheny County have experienced a significant increase in foreclosures in recent years.
- Tax LawProperty Tax Appeals in Allegheny County are a two-tiered process. First, assessment appeals go to the BPAAR (Board of Property Assessment Appeal & Review). Second, appeals from that proceeding go to the BOV (Board of Viewers). The Process through both hearings can take between 1 to 3 years and is retroactive to the original filing date.