Coral Springs Divorce Attorney

Last updated on May 26, 2026

You need an attorney who understands the difficulties that men and women are presented with when they decide to dissolve their marriage. Someone who will represent your interests from the first consultation until the last court order has been signed. You need Coral Springs divorce attorney Mark Abzug.

At the Law Offices of Mark Abzug, P.A., in Coral Springs, Florida, we have a thorough understanding of the divorce laws in the state of Florida. We offer our clients the advice they need to make tough decisions about the future, such as child custody and child support matters. For more than 30 years, attorney Mark Abzug has helped people just like you get what they need from divorce and family law proceedings.

For a FREE initial consultation, contact us online or call 954-840-8883 today.

Parkland Dissolution Of Marriage Lawyer Fighting For You

Divorce cases in Florida can be contested or uncontested, and it can involve many ancillary issues, including:

• Alimony: Alimony, spousal maintenance and spousal support are all the same thing: the amount of money one spouse receives from another in order to provide for and educate himself or herself.
• Alimony modifications: Oftentimes, circumstances surrounding an alimony order change over time for one reason or another. We can help you adjust the court’s order to fit your changing needs.
• Child custody and support: Issues involving children can be the most emotionally charged. We will provide you with rational, cool-headed and compassionate counsel on your options and fight for the best interests of your children.
• Complex property division: The more property you have, the more complex this part of your divorce will be. We offer clients a complete range of options to ensure they get what they deserve out of the divorce.
• Dividing real estate: We will assist you in creating a fair division of your real estate assets. If no agreement can be reached, attorney Abzug is a formidable litigator and will fight for you in court.
• Dividing business assets: Joint business ownership during a marriage has its advantages, but when divorce is involved, you need an experienced attorney to represent your interests.
• Dividing retirement benefits: The rules governing the division of various types of retirement benefits, including IRAs, 401(k)s and pensions, can be intricate and daunting without an attorney to explain them for you.

Divorce And Family Law Overview For Florida Proceedings

Jurisdiction And Venue

Florida is a no-fault state. In order to get divorced in Florida you don’t need to prove that your spouse has committed adultery or has abandoned you. In short, all that’s required is that you testify under oath that your marriage is irretrievably broken. F.S. 61.052. To obtain a dissolution of marriage, one of the parties to the marriage must reside in the state of Florida for six months before the filing of the petition. F.S. 61.021. If both parties reside in Florida but in different counties, then the county in which the parties last resided in as Husband and Wife is the proper county in which to file for divorce, unless other agreed to by the parties or counsel.

Commencement Of Divorce Proceedings

The divorce process commences with the filing of a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage and issuance of a Summons. A Sheriff or Process Server must serve your spouse with the Summons and Petition, unless you cannot locate your spouse after making a diligent, good faith effort to do so. If you cannot locate your spouse, constructive service through publication may be authorized. The party initiating the divorce proceeding is referred to as the Petitioner and the other part is simply referred to as the Respondent. Upon being served, the Respondent then has twenty (20) days in which to file an answer admitting or denying the allegations in the petition. [The twenty (20)-day requirement is not strictly enforced as the court prefers to adjudicate cases based upon their own merits rather than upon technicalities]. Rule 1.140(a). Usually, if the Respondent has an attorney, you could expect the Respondent to file a Counter Petition for Dissolution of Marriage that you or your attorney must answer. If either party fails to file and answer within the time periods prescribed under the Rules of Civil Procedure the Clerk of Court may enter a Default Judgment. There is no advantage or disadvantage to being the party to institute the proceedings. Whichever party files the Petition to get the ball rolling is required to pay a filing fee. Currently, the filing fee in Broward County, FL, is $412.00 ($409.00 + $3.00 clerk’s convenience fee) plus $10.00 for the issuance of a summons. If you have any further questions, call Mark Abzug, your Margate divorce attorney.

Discovery – Determining Marital Assets And Property

After the filing, the discovery process is started where information is gathered by your attorneys to prepare for trial. Anything that was acquired during the marriage is considered a marital asset with inheritances being the main exception. Even a separate bank account where marital money was deposited is considered marital property. Please know that no matter how long the discovery process takes, we will vigorously represent you throughout that aspect of the process.

There are several discovery tools that lawyers use to obtain information, including interrogatories (written questions), request for production of documents and depositions (questioning under oath). Under Fla. Fam. L.R.P. 12.285, parties are required to provide one another with certain financial documents, including their last three months of pay stubs, last three years of federal income tax returns and account statements. Each party is also required to file a family law financial affidavit. The amount of time it takes to complete discovery usually depends upon a variety of factors such as the extent of assets involved and the nature of each party’s employment. To be sure, it’s far easier for attorneys to deal with W-2 wage earners in comparison to self-employed people.

Believe it or not, the entire idea of the legal system is for there to be no surprises. Both parties are supposed to know pretty much everything there is to know about their spouse’s assets and liabilities. They are also supposed to know every witness who’s expected to testify at trial, what those witnesses will be testifying about, and all documents that will be introduced into evidence.

After discovery is completed, either party can notice the case for trial. However, if one of the parties has not completed discovery, he or she can file a motion requesting a continuance. The court is usually willing to grant a continuance unless it appears that the party asking for it is to simply procrastinate or act in bad faith. Prior to trial, most judges require the parties to attend mediation.

Trial

At trial, each attorney makes opening remarks. Thereafter, the Petitioner puts on his or her case. After each witness finishes testifying, the Respondent’s counsel is entitled to a cross-examination, which is followed by a redirect by the Petitioner’s counsel. After all witnesses have testified for the Petitioner, including the Petitioner, the Respondent gets to put on his or her case in chief. Each party is then given an opportunity for rebuttal. A trial can be as short as two (2) hours and as long as two (2) weeks. It all depends upon how much evidence is being presented by each party.

Navigating The 17th Judicial Circuit

Divorce cases in Broward County move through the 17th Judicial Circuit, where busy court calendars and strict procedures often affect timing. Carefully prepared cases tend to move more efficiently and avoid unnecessary delays.

Key factors that influence how a divorce proceeds include:

• Accurate court filings: Documents must be complete and properly prepared to avoid rejection or repeated court appearances. Early attention to detail helps prevent delays that can extend the case.
• Financial documentation: Required disclosures must be organized and submitted on time under Florida family law rules. Careful preparation helps prevent disputes and unnecessary requests for additional information.
• Mediation preparation: Most judges require mediation before trial, making preparation an important step in resolving disputes. We help clients understand their options so negotiations remain focused and productive.
• Trial readiness: Some cases still require a hearing or trial to resolve contested issues. Preparing early places clients in a stronger position if the case must be decided in court.

We approach each case with a clear plan and steady follow-through.

Why You Need A Divorce Attorney In Broward County

A Broward divorce involves strict rules and deadlines that must be followed throughout the case. Working with a divorce attorney Broward County residents trust helps ensure that the process moves forward without unnecessary setbacks.

Have you ever wondered: “Can having an aggressive family law attorney near me make the divorce process smoother”? Typically, the answer is yes – working with someone who understands local court practices and expectations can make a positive difference.

Among divorce lawyers in Broward County, local experience helps cases move more smoothly through the Fort Lauderdale courthouse. We use our knowledge of Broward procedures to keep cases moving toward resolution.

The important parts of a Broward County divorce that we handle include:

• Case strategy from the start: We focus on practical solutions that protect financial and parental interests.
• Managing communication: We handle discussions when needed to keep issues under control and productive.
• Protecting financial interests: Careful review helps ensure that assets and obligations are addressed properly.
• Keeping the case moving: Delays can increase stress and legal costs for both parties. Consistent attention helps prevent unnecessary slowdowns.

With more than 30 years of experience in Broward County family law courts, we know how cases move through the system. That knowledge helps clients avoid missteps that can slow progress or increase costs.

A Decision To Divorce

Deciding to end your marriage is one of the most difficult and emotional decisions you will ever make, particularly if you have children. Divorce involves financial matters that must be resolved and legal issues that must be addressed before the process is concluded. A Florida family law attorney at Mark Abzug, P.A., in Coral Springs, can help you to understand the issues involved in divorce and how to proceed for the best result.

Grounds For Divorce

Traditionally, someone seeking a divorce had to make an allegation of fault. Today, the majority of states allow at least one form of no-fault divorce that does not require proof of misconduct or misdeeds on the part of one or both spouses. If no-fault divorce is available one spouse may obtain a divorce even if the other does not consent.

Some states do still require a legal reason before a divorce will be granted. These are called “fault-based divorces.” Those states requiring a showing of fault have statutes that specifically outline the different types of conduct that must be shown before a divorce can be granted. Some of the more common types of fault that may be grounds for divorce are: adultery, mental illness, being convicted of a felony, abandonment, alcohol/drug abuse, cruelty, impotency, passing a sexually transmitted disease to your partner, and bigamy. Some states have both fault-based and no-fault divorces available. Even if fault is not required to obtain a divorce, it may play a role in determining whether an award of spousal support is appropriate.

Alimony, Spousal Support And Maintenance

Alimony, also known as “spousal support” or “spousal maintenance,” is financial support paid by one spouse to the other after a divorce. Because each state determines alimony differently, it is important to consult with an attorney in your state to determine what factors the court considers when deciding if alimony will be awarded, to whom it will be paid, and how much the payments will be.

There are three main types of alimony: bridge-the-gap alimony, durational alimony and rehabilitative alimony. The different forms of alimony depend on factors unique to the marriage and the parties in the marriage. There are several factors to consider. The process of determining if alimony is appropriate and how much alimony to award can be complex. While alimony is fairly rare, it is important to get it right in the cases where it arises.

Division Of Property

Property division is a necessary yet often difficult part of any divorce proceeding. Each state has adopted one of two basic systems for distributing property: equitable distribution (sometimes called a “separate property system” or “common law system”) or community property. Regardless of the system used, each state has its own rules for dividing marital property. States differ as to how marital or non-marital, community, or separate property is defined. States also use different rules to decide how the property should be distributed. This is a complicated area of family law, and the advice and assistance of a family law attorney who is familiar with the property division rules of your particular state can be invaluable.

Is There A Legal Advantage To Filing For Divorce First In Broward County?

Florida is a no-fault state when it comes to divorce. Because of this, filing first does not grant a legal edge against the respondent. This will not make the courts favor your claims regarding child custody, alimony or asset distribution.

However, while there’s no legal advantage, being the petitioner can offer tactical control over the divorce proceeding due to the following elements:

• Setting the pace: Taking the first move can help you prepare for the divorce quietly. As your dissolution of marriage lawyer, attorney Abzug can assist in arranging your financial disclosures and strategy.
• Choosing the date of filing: Filing first allows you to set a date of filing, which serves as the cutoff for determining marital debts and assets. This can help avoid becoming responsible for your spouse’s future liabilities.
• Selecting the venue: Being the petitioner lets you choose which county court will handle the divorce. For instance, if you reside in Broward County and your spouse moves to Palm Beach County, filing first ensures the case occurs in your local courthouse, saving you significant travel time and local counsel expenses.
• Dictating the presentation order: Facing a highly contentious divorce can result in a trial. As the petitioner, you and your contested divorce attorney get to present your evidence first, setting the initial narrative of the case.
• Preserving finances: Initiating the divorce is critical, especially if you suspect your spouse is hiding or spending down marital funds. When you file a petition, this triggers an administrative order that prevents your spouse from emptying bank accounts before a divorce agreement lawyer can intervene.

If you are anticipating a marital split, it would be beneficial to seek counsel from a divorce lawyer in Coral Springs. At Law Offices of Mark Abzug, P.A., we can offer insights into your situation and help you decide the best time to file for a divorce in your home county.

Our attorney can review your case, prepare your filing and project the possible trajectories of the proceeding. We can ensure you move forward with strategy, safety and structural control.

Understanding Uncontested Divorce: A Streamlined Path To Dissolution In Coral Springs

An uncontested divorce in Florida is one of the most efficient ways to dissolve a marriage legally. It applies when both spouses are able to reach full agreement on all required issues before filing, avoiding drawn-out disputes and unnecessary court involvement.

Many families choose this option because it offers clear benefits, including:

• Faster resolution, with many cases concluding in weeks rather than months
• Lower overall costs due to reduced court time and legal fees
• Less emotional strain, especially for families with children

For an uncontested divorce to proceed in Broward County, both spouses must agree on all material terms. This includes complete resolution of the following matters:

• Asset division, including real estate, bank accounts, retirement assets and marital debts
• Custody arrangements that are structured under Florida law and guided by the children’s best interests
• Child support terms and a workable parenting plan, with domestic violence considerations addressed when safety concerns exist
• Spousal support decisions, whether alimony is waived or established at a defined amount

Resolving these issues in advance allows couples to move forward without unnecessary delays or litigation. This approach is often appealing to individuals seeking an uncontested divorce in Boca Raton, particularly when privacy and efficiency are priorities.

While the process is more streamlined, uncontested does not mean informal or risk-free. Court filings must be accurate. Agreements must also comply with Florida statutes.

As a trusted Coral Springs divorce lawyer, Mark Abzug brings more than 30 years of experience to the uncontested divorce process. His role is to help ensure that each agreement clearly reflects the parties’ intentions while protecting long-term financial and parental interests.

Attorney Abzug provides critical support by:

• Drafting clear and enforceable settlement agreements
• Preparing a comprehensive parenting plan that supports stable co-parenting and addresses domestic violence safeguards when necessary
• Reviewing financial disclosures to help ensure fair and equitable distribution
• Managing court filings to keep the case moving efficiently through the system

An uncontested divorce still involves life-altering decisions. Decisions made now affect finances, parenting schedules and future stability. Mark Abzug’s thoughtful legal guidance helps prevent vague terms and rushed agreements that can unravel later. Choosing a battle-tested attorney like him means you have a dedicated advocate who knows how to spot potential problems before they arise.

Serving Clients In Broward County And Throughout The Area For More Than 30 Years

The Law Offices of Mark Abzug, P.A., offers our family law clients compassionate customer service and aggressive, effective representation. For more information about how we can help you with your legal matter, call us at 954-840-8883 or contact us online. We offer FREE initial consultations and flexible hours.