Mark Abzug PA Law Offices of Mark Abzug, P.A. 2026-09-28T17:48:52Z https://www.coralspringslaw.com/feed/atom/ WordPress /wp-content/uploads/sites/1404535/2023/11/cropped-mark-abzug-site-icon-32x32.png On Behalf of Law Offices of Mark Abzug, P.A. <![CDATA[How are NFTs and digital collectibles divided in divorce?]]> https://www.coralspringslaw.com/?p=51323 2026-09-28T17:48:52Z 2026-09-28T17:48:52Z When can an NFT become marital property? Florida law generally treats property that spouses acquire during marriage as marital unless a spouse establishes otherwise. An NFT purchased with marital funds may be subject to equitable distribution. Courts may consider the purchase date and source of the funds when determining whether an asset is marital or nonmarital. An NFT may qualify as nonmarital property if a spouse acquired it before marriage, received it as a gift or inheritance or bought it with nonmarital funds. Spouses may need transaction records and other evidence to trace the source of those funds.

How can a spouse prove who owns an NFT?

Blockchain records can help establish when a spouse acquired an NFT and trace transactions. A wallet address does not necessarily identify the person who controls it, so other records may help connect the wallet to a spouse. Discovery may include exchange records, wallet addresses, transaction histories and NFT marketplace accounts. These records can help identify digital assets and show whether marital funds paid for them.

What happens when an NFT is difficult to value?

Individual NFTs may not have an active market or a consistent price. Value can depend on rarity, comparable sales and recent marketplace activity. These factors can make it hard for spouses to agree on a value. Florida law allows a court to set a valuation date that is just and equitable. An NFT's value may change significantly after separation, making the valuation date an important issue.

Does one spouse have to sell the NFT?

Florida courts have flexibility in dividing marital assets. One spouse may receive the NFT while the other receives an offset through cash or other property. The spouses may also agree to sell the asset and divide the proceeds.

What to do early when NFTs are part of a Florida divorce

Identifying digital assets early gives the parties more time to address classification, tracing and valuation. A Florida family law attorney can help identify NFTs, evaluate tracing and valuation issues and advise on how those assets should be handled in the equitable distribution process.]]> On Behalf of Law Offices of Mark Abzug, P.A. <![CDATA[What happens when one spouse wants to keep the house in Florida?]]> https://www.coralspringslaw.com/?p=51320 2026-09-23T17:56:28Z 2026-09-23T17:56:28Z How does Florida law treat the marital home in a divorce? Florida follows an equitable distribution framework. Courts generally begin with an equal distribution of marital assets and liabilities, subject to statutory factors that may support an unequal distribution. A home may be considered marital property depending on when and how it was acquired and whether it has both marital and nonmarital interests. Under Florida Statutes § 61.075, courts consider several factors, including:
  • Each spouse's financial circumstances
  • Each spouse's contributions to the marriage
  • The length of the marriage
  • The desirability of retaining the home as a residence for a dependent child or in appropriate circumstances, another party
No single factor decides the outcome. The weight a court gives each factor depends on the specific circumstances of the case.

What does a buyout arrangement involve?

One spouse may keep the home by paying the other for their share of the equity. This typically requires determining the home's current value and the amount of marital equity subject to division. The spouse keeping the home may then provide assets or cash to account for the other spouse's share. Refinancing may also be necessary if both spouses remain responsible for an existing mortgage. The spouse keeping the home generally must address both ownership of the property and any continuing mortgage obligation.

How do offset arrangements work?

Florida law also allows marital assets and liabilities to be considered together in determining an equitable distribution, so one spouse may receive the home while the other receives other marital assets. Courts evaluate whether the overall distribution is equitable under Florida's equitable distribution statute. Florida Statutes § 61.077 also addresses setoffs and credits involving the marital home when it is sold. The statute provides specific rules for determining entitlement to those amounts.

What to keep in mind about keeping the marital home

Deciding whether to keep the marital home involves more than wanting to stay; it requires a clear-eyed look at whether you can afford to buy out your spouse's share, qualify for a new mortgage on your own and sustain the home's carrying costs on a single income. Florida's equitable distribution rules and the specific provisions of your marital estate will shape what is financially realistic. A Florida family law attorney can help you assess whether keeping the home is the right decision for your circumstances and how to structure the distribution to make it work.]]> On Behalf of Law Offices of Mark Abzug, P.A. <![CDATA[What counts as marital waste in a Florida divorce?]]> https://www.coralspringslaw.com/?p=51303 2026-09-18T11:14:37Z 2026-09-18T11:13:37Z How courts view marital waste The outcome often turns on timing and purpose. Florida courts generally look for spending that served no marital purpose and happened when the marriage was breaking down irretrievably or when divorce was foreseeable. Judges may focus on whether the spending looks like an effort to drain marital funds rather than cover ordinary living expenses. Clear records and a timeline can help show what happened and why.

Spending patterns that may raise concern

Documentation becomes especially important when one spouse spent money secretly or for reasons that did not benefit the marriage. This overview of marital waste claims in divorce outlines the types of conduct courts may examine. Examples may include:
  • Large cash withdrawals with no clear household reason
  • Gifts or trips tied to an outside relationship
  • Gambling losses that exceed the couple’s established pattern
  • Property sales at significantly below-market value
These facts may matter because the court can credit the other spouse for the value of the wasted assets when dividing property.

Steps to document possible dissipation

Bank statements, credit card statements and credible testimony often shape the proof. Keeping clear records from the start can strengthen a dissipation claim if the dispute becomes part of property division. You may want to gather statements, save messages about major purchases and note key dates, including when the decision to separate or file for divorce was made. If you need to spend marital funds, continue using joint accounts for ordinary household expenses and keep receipts where possible.

What to do if you believe assets were wasted

Dissipation claims usually turn on records and timing. Florida courts weigh the evidence on both sides, so the earlier a spouse organizes financial documents, the clearer the timeline becomes. People reviewing broader property division issues in a Florida divorce may need to consider whether a dissipation claim fits the facts of the case.]]> On Behalf of Law Offices of Mark Abzug, P.A. <![CDATA[Does remarriage change child support in Florida]]> https://www.coralspringslaw.com/?p=51299 2026-09-17T11:32:20Z 2026-09-17T11:32:20Z A new spouse’s income is generally not part of the calculation Florida child support guidelines focus on the parents’ income. A stepparent’s earnings do not typically become part of the base support calculation. Florida’s child support modification rules apply to all requests for change, not just those involving remarriage. Remarriage by itself does not create a new support order.

Financial changes tied to remarriage may support a modification

A court may look beyond the marriage itself and focus on whether the parent’s financial circumstances have substantially changed. Important facts may include whether:
  • The parent’s living expenses went down
  • The parent changed jobs or income after remarrying
  • A new household arrangement affects financial disclosures
  • The parent has additional biological or legally recognized children to support
Under Florida law, a recalculated support amount that differs from the current order by at least 15% or $50 per month – whichever is greater – may create a presumption that a substantial change in circumstances exists.

The parent’s financial records still drive the review

A parent who has recently remarried may assume the new spouse’s income will raise or lower support on its own. In most cases, that is not how Florida law works. The court still looks at the parent’s income, expenses and financial disclosures when deciding whether support should change. Remarriage alone does not give either parent an automatic basis to change support. Parents reviewing broader child support and family law concerns may need to compare their current records to the existing order before deciding whether to seek a modification.]]> On Behalf of Law Offices of Mark Abzug, P.A. <![CDATA[3 ways to modify spousal support in Florida]]> https://www.coralspringslaw.com/?p=51297 2026-09-16T04:57:02Z 2026-09-16T04:57:02Z Substantial change in financial circumstances Courts check if your monthly income or basic expenses changed since your divorce ended. The shift in your money situation cannot be temporary or something you chose voluntarily. Common financial changes that allow a court to alter payments include:
  • Long-term involuntary job loss or income reduction
  • Severe disability, illness or medical costs
  • Large increase in income for the recipient spouse
Judges require clear proof that your financial hardship is real and will last a long time.

Existence of a supportive relationship

Florida courts can reduce or end support payments if an ex-spouse enters a supportive relationship. A judge looks at shared money and mutual financial help to decide this issue. The ex-spouse and their partner do not have to live together full time for a court to change the support order. Evidence that proves a supportive relationship includes:
  • Joint bank accounts or shared property ownership
  • Shared living expenses and household bills
  • Financial support exchanged between the partners
Showing that the new partner acts like a spouse gives the court a reason to change your payment amount.

Retirement of the paying spouse

Reaching full Social Security retirement age allows a paying spouse to ask for lower support payments. The judge checks if your retirement is reasonable and done in good faith instead of a way to stop paying support. The court reviews specific legal factors before changing a support order:
  • Age, physical health and profession of the payor
  • Motivation for retirement and likelihood of returning to work
  • Financial needs of the recipient spouse and economic impact of reduced support
Planning your retirement timeline carefully helps protect your financial standing before you formally step down from your career.

Take action to adjust your support order

Spousal support obligations do not automatically adjust when your life changes. Petitioning the circuit court quickly prevents past-due unpaid support balances from accumulating. Consulting a knowledgeable family law attorney ensures your petition meets strict Florida statutory standards.  ]]> by Law Offices of Mark Abzug, P.A. <![CDATA[Florida ended permanent alimony: What it means for you]]> https://www.coralspringslaw.com/?p=51281 2026-08-26T18:45:07Z 2026-08-26T18:45:07Z How Florida’s new alimony rules work Florida recognizes four types of alimony. Temporary alimony supports a spouse during divorce. Bridge-the-gap alimony covers short-term transition costs for up to two years. Rehabilitative alimony may fund education or training for up to five years. Durational alimony offers financial support for a set period. The length of the award generally depends on how long the marriage lasted. The length of the marriage sets the limit for durational alimony:
  • Under 10 years: The limit is up to 50% of the marriage length.
  • 10 to 20 years: The limit is up to 60% of the marriage length.
  • 20 years or more: The limit is up to 75% of the marriage length.
Courts consider financial need, ability to pay, income, financial resources, earning capacity and the marital standard of living. Monthly alimony generally may not exceed 35% of the difference between the spouses' net incomes. Retirement or a significant change in financial circumstances may be grounds for modifying an existing order. Under Florida law, the recipient's remarriage generally terminates periodic alimony. A supportive relationship may also support a reduction or termination of support. Unlike permanent alimony, these forms of support have set time limits. This gives both spouses a clearer idea of their future financial obligations.

What happens to alimony orders from before 2023?

The 2023 reform did not end permanent alimony orders issued before July 1, 2023. These orders remain in place unless a court later changes or ends them. Retirement, major financial changes, remarriage or a supportive relationship may support a modification. The law change alone does not change an older order. Courts review the original order and current circumstances before deciding whether a change is warranted.

What the 2023 reform means for your divorce case

Florida's 2023 alimony reform does not eliminate spousal support. It replaces open-ended obligations with defined timelines and income-based limits. For anyone going through a divorce or considering a modification of an existing order, how these rules apply will depend on the specific length of the marriage, each party's income, and the financial circumstances involved. A Florida family law attorney can help evaluate those details before a final agreement is reached.]]> On Behalf of Law Offices of Mark Abzug, P.A. <![CDATA[What happens when a parent refuses court-ordered visits in Florida?]]> https://www.coralspringslaw.com/?p=51278 2026-08-21T18:45:34Z 2026-08-21T18:45:34Z What Florida law says about denying time-sharing Both parents have a legal right to frequent and continuing contact with their children following a divorce or separation. A custodial parent does not have the authority to withhold visits as a form of punishment, even if the other parent is behind on child support payments. Florida law explicitly separates child support obligations from time-sharing rights. Failing to pay support does not justify denying visits, and denying visits does not justify withholding support.

Remedies available in Florida courts

When a parent fails to comply with a time-sharing schedule without a court-recognized emergency, the other parent can file a Motion for Enforcement or Contempt with the circuit court. If the court finds willful non-compliance, several remedies are available:
  • Make-up time-sharing: the court must award the non-offending parent additional time to compensate for missed visits, scheduled in a manner convenient for that parent and in the child's best interest
  • Attorney's fees and court costs: the non-compliant parent may be ordered to pay legal fees incurred by the parent who had to file the enforcement motion
  • Financial sanctions: compensation for direct losses caused by missed visits, such as non-refundable travel costs
  • Parenting classes or community service: judges may require the non-complying parent to attend parenting education or complete community service
  • Modification of the parenting plan: a pattern of repeated interference may constitute a substantial change in circumstances justifying a permanent modification of the time-sharing schedule
Each of these remedies is designed to protect the child's relationship with both parents and discourage future violations.

Steps to take if your time-sharing rights are denied

Documenting every incident carefully is the foundation of any enforcement case:
  • Keep a detailed log of every missed or denied visit, including dates, times, and any written communications from the other parent
  • Request a police incident report at the designated pickup location if access is denied; this creates official documentation that you were present
  • Avoid retaliating by withholding support or taking the child outside your designated parenting time, as this can harm your position before the judge
  • File a formal motion through the Florida court family law division with the help of legal counsel
Prompt enforcement protects both your parental rights and your child's stability. If your court-ordered time-sharing is being denied, a family law attorney in Broward County can help you pursue the appropriate legal remedies.]]> On Behalf of Law Offices of Mark Abzug, P.A. <![CDATA[What happens to your pet during a divorce?]]> https://www.coralspringslaw.com/?p=51274 2026-08-11T15:19:28Z 2026-08-11T15:19:28Z For couples without children, their pet often fills a similar role. They think of the pet as a member of the family. Some couples will also get a pet first, such as a dog or a cat, as a way to prepare for the future responsibility of having children. When these couples go through a divorce, then, deciding what happens to the pet can sometimes become a point of contention. Both people may still want to be involved with the pet, take care of it and live with it, even after the marriage ends. They may even believe that they need to set up some sort of parenting plan or a pet custody plan. But is that really what happens?

Pets are property

Legally speaking, your pet is just a piece of personal property that you own. It is not a member of the family. There are no custody rights to consider, and the court is not going to set up a parenting plan the way that it would for children. What this means is that some couples can come up with a plan to share the pet on their own. If they both agree to this plan, there is nothing stopping them from doing so. But if they are in conflict and they go to the court, the court will simply send the pet through property division with all of the other assets that the couple has purchased. If the couple paid a few thousand dollars for a specific breed of dog, for example, one person may be given the pet while the other is given home furnishings with a similar value. They may not see this as a satisfactory resolution, but because the financial values are similar, it does satisfy property division laws. If you and your spouse are going through a divorce and you are running into these types of complications, it is very important to understand all of your legal rights and the steps you can take to seek a resolution.  ]]> by Law Offices of Mark Abzug, P.A. <![CDATA[How Florida courts divide cryptocurrency in a high-asset divorce]]> https://www.coralspringslaw.com/?p=51272 2026-08-06T16:37:39Z 2026-08-06T16:37:39Z How Florida courts classify cryptocurrency in divorce cases Florida courts treat cryptocurrency as property. Cryptocurrency acquired during the marriage is generally presumed to be marital property unless an exception applies. Courts may divide those assets during the divorce. Crypto owned before the marriage may remain separate property if the owner kept it separate from marital assets. Courts review factors such as:
  • When the cryptocurrency was purchased
  • How the owner acquired it
  • Whether marital funds or efforts increased its value
  • Whether the owner mixed the crypto with marital assets
A spouse's name on a crypto wallet or exchange account does not decide ownership. Courts examine financial records, account details and transaction history. They use this information to decide each spouse's share under Florida law.

Challenges of valuing and dividing cryptocurrency in a high-asset divorce

Digital assets such as cryptocurrency add complexity to high-asset divorce cases. Its value can change in a short time. Owners may also keep crypto in private wallets or on several exchanges. These factors make the assets harder to value and divide. Common challenges include:
  • Valuing digital assets: Prices can rise or fall within hours. Courts must choose a fair valuation date.
  • Locating cryptocurrency holdings: Private wallets, exchanges and online platforms can make holdings harder to locate and verify.
  • Dividing crypto: Courts may divide the coins or offset the value with other marital assets.
  • Handling taxes: Selling crypto may create tax obligations. Transfers also require accurate wallet information and secure access.
Accurate financial records and careful legal analysis can help facilitate an equitable distribution of cryptocurrency.

Protecting crypto assets in divorce

Cryptocurrency can create challenges in a high-asset divorce. Ownership questions, price changes and tax issues can affect how these digital assets are divided. Reviewing financial records and crypto holdings can help identify marital assets and support a fair division. An experienced Florida divorce attorney can evaluate digital assets, resolve valuation issues and help protect your financial interests during the divorce process.]]> On Behalf of Law Offices of Mark Abzug, P.A. <![CDATA[How Florida courts resolve international custody disputes]]> https://www.coralspringslaw.com/?p=51270 2026-08-02T23:06:09Z 2026-08-02T23:06:09Z International child custody disputes can be emotionally and legally complex. When parents live in different countries or one parent wants to relocate a child overseas, Florida courts must balance state law, federal law and international agreements while keeping the child's best interests at the center of every decision.

What makes an international custody case different?

International custody disputes often involve questions that do not arise in domestic cases. For example:

  • One parent may have already taken the child to another country.
  • Parents may disagree about where the child should permanently live.
  • Different countries may have conflicting custody laws.
  • Enforcing a court order across international borders can become difficult.

These issues require courts to determine not only what arrangement serves the child best but also which court has legal authority over the case.

How Florida courts determine jurisdiction

Florida follows the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (UCCJEA). In many situations, the child's "home state" has authority to decide custody matters. Courts generally examine factors such as:

  • Where the child has lived during the previous six months
  • Whether another court has already issued custody orders
  • Which state or country has the strongest connection to the child

If another country treats custody proceedings in a manner substantially similar to U.S. standards, Florida courts may recognize that country's custody determination.

The role of international treaties

Many international custody disputes involve the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction.

When applicable, the treaty focuses on returning a wrongfully removed or retained child to the child's habitual residence. It does not decide which parent should receive custody. Instead, it seeks to ensure that custody decisions occur in the proper jurisdiction.

Not every country participates in the Hague Convention, however. Cases involving nonmember countries often present additional legal challenges.

Factors judges consider

Once a Florida court has jurisdiction, the judge evaluates the child's best interests. Relevant considerations may include:

  • Each parent's ability to provide a stable home
  • The child's emotional and educational needs
  • The relationship between the child and each parent
  • Any history of domestic violence or abuse
  • Whether either parent may refuse to comply with future court orders

When international travel is involved, judges may also evaluate whether there is a significant risk that a parent could refuse to return the child.

Protecting your parental rights

International custody disputes often move quickly. Delays can complicate jurisdictional issues and make recovering a child more difficult if international travel has already occurred.

Keeping detailed records, following existing court orders and seeking legal guidance early can help protect both your rights and your child's well-being.

Every international custody case deserves careful attention

International custody disputes combine family law with complex jurisdictional questions. Understanding how Florida courts approach these cases can help you make informed decisions during a stressful time. Speaking with an experienced Florida family law attorney can help you understand your options and pursue a solution that protects your relationship with your child.

]]>