Law Offices of Mark Abzug, PA
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Premier Family Law Representation In Southern Florida

Mark Abzug

Coral Springs Child Custody and Child Support Lawyer

Last updated on May 1, 2026

We care. Even in the face of divorce or another end to a relationship between the parents, the care and support of the children should always come to the forefront. We know you want to provide your children with the best possible life, and our experienced Coral Springs child custody and support attorney can give you the tools and execution you need to do just that.

At the Law Offices of Mark Abzug, P.A., we represent clients who need legal assistance in developing and carrying out plans that involve child custody and child support issues. Our goal is to provide you with the knowledge necessary to make informed decisions that will promote the best interests of your kids, and help you keep your family healthy and happy.

To find out more about our legal practice areas, including divorce and general family law matters, call 954-840-8883 or contact us online. We offer free initial consultations and flexible hours.

Offering Help With Parkland Child Support Guidelines and More

Our practice is based on providing compassionate client service and aggressive, effective representation that gets results. Our child custody and support focus will provide guidance on the following issues:

We also offer informational resources geared toward helping children and parents cope with the stresses of divorce and the associated processes. Find out more about custody planning processes that we have found to be successful as well as strategies for helping kids cope with divorce.

A Lawyer Representing Families in Ft. Lauderdale and Throughout South Florida

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.

Child Support And The 2026 Minimum Wage Impact

An upcoming increase in minimum wage could change child support orders for thousands of Florida families. Those bound to the state’s Income Shares Model for child support calculations face a big update.

The income of each parent influences their share of financial responsibility. An increase in income could influence the amount of child support. The courts combine the income of both parents and use a statutory schedule to determine what percentage of the child’s expenses each parent should cover based on net parental income.

With the minimum wage in Florida set to increase to $15 per hour by September 2026, working parents may see a shift in their child support obligations. Both the paying and the recipient parent could experience a change in their overall income due to the increase in minimum wage.

In addition to income, Broward County time‑sharing affects each parent’s financial responsibility because the number of overnights directly influences child support obligations. Once a parent has 20% or more of the total overnight time with their children, their support obligations may decrease due to the costs of providing for the children during parenting time.

The courts also consider the number of children in the family, costs related to the children’s medical needs, health insurance premiums and child care expenses for working parents when calculating total child support obligations. If either parent is subject to a child support order for other children, that also influences the net income calculations for the family.

If the paying parent currently earns minimum wage, their obligations may increase after the minimum wage adjustment. If the recipient parent earns minimum wage, the increase in their income could reduce what the paying parent owes. A child support modification may be necessary to update the existing order after the new minimum wage takes effect.

Courts have the authority to deviate from the calculated amount of child support after reviewing parents’ financial affidavits. The financial capabilities of the parents and the needs of the children can inspire courts to adjust the calculated amount of support to better reflect family circumstances.

At the Law Offices of Mark Abzug, P.A., we have experience with Palm Beach County family law matters, including child support modifications and enforcement proceedings.

Frequently Asked Questions About Florida Child Custody and Support

Here are a few of the most common questions we see in our Coral Springs office around child custody and support:

What is the difference between legal and physical custody in Florida?

Physical custody refers to where the child lives and who has responsibilities associated with daily care for the child. Legal custody is the responsibility associated with making decisions regarding the education, healthcare and religious upbringing of a child.

When parents fight over custody, how does the court decide?

The typical standard is the “best interests of the child.” Each state has specific guidelines, but the court usually takes into consideration what each parent wants, what the child wants (if the child is old enough and/or mature enough), which parent has been the primary caretaker, the parenting abilities of each parent and whether there is a history of abuse.

What if the custody arrangements aren’t working out?

It is not always easy to modify a custody arrangement that has been ordered by the court or agreed upon by you and your child’s other parent. The agreement itself may set out methods by which it can be changed. Your state will also have laws that apply to custody modification. It is typically more difficult to change the custody arrangements than it was to set them in the first place; there must have been a substantial change in the circumstances this time around. An experienced family law attorney can advise you on your rights in your state.

Is joint custody better?

While no one solution is right for everybody, most children of divorce benefit from the ongoing involvement of both parents. Joint custody will not work if the parents are not living in the same area or if the parents cannot work together. Family circumstances like domestic violence, physical or sexual abuse, chemical dependency and neglect also affect the court’s determination.

What are some examples of 50-50 custody schedules?

When parents share physical custody, a 50-50 time split can support stability and bonding with both parents. Still, choosing the right custody arrangements takes more than just splitting the week in half.

It is important to focus on what meets the child’s best interests, not just what is convenient for adults. In Broward County, courts encourage time-sharing plans that are both realistic and child-centered, with room for flexibility as families grow and needs change.

Here are a few commonly used 50-50 custody schedules that aim to balance consistency with family logistics:

  • Alternating weeks: This plan requires the child to spend one week with one parent and then the next week with the other. It is simple and works best for older children who can handle longer stretches away from each parent. Parents must coordinate school, activities and communication tools to help children stay connected during the off-week.
  • 2-2-3 schedule: One parent has the child for two days, the other parent for the next two, then the first parent gets the child for three days, then the roles reverse the following week. This pattern helps ensure frequent contact and is ideal for younger children needing more consistency. This schedule works best when the parents live close to each other and have flexible jobs, as frequent exchanges are involved.
  • 3-4-4-3 schedule: One parent gets the child for three days, the other for four, then it switches the next week. It offers a nice balance of time and structure, minimizing handoffs while keeping the child anchored, especially for school-aged kids who benefit from routine.
  • Alternating every two days: In this pattern, the child switches homes every two days. While it provides equal contact, it requires high cooperation and may not be ideal if the parents live far apart. Parents must have consistent rules and routines in both homes to avoid emotional strain for the child.

Choosing a custody schedule should involve thoughtful planning. A workable plan accounts for school, work, distance and the child’s emotional well-being. A custody modification may be necessary when a schedule becomes unrealistic over time, making flexibility important.

If you are navigating the legal process in Broward County, our attorneys understand how to shape adequate custody arrangements.

If my child’s other parent is behind on child support payments, can I prevent his or her visitation?

Parenting time and child support are not dependent on each other. It is not considered to be in the best interests of the child to prevent contact with the other parent because of child support problems. You have other remedies, like going to court or the child support enforcement office, to collect past-due child support payments.

I want to move to another state with my child. Can I do that in Florida?

This is another custody matter that varies from state to state, but most states (including Florida) share some overriding principles. The court will probably weigh the reason for the move; its probable effect on the child; whether you have sole or joint custody; if the child’s other parent has objected to the move; and how often the other parent will be able to see the child.

If the judge in my divorce case orders a custody evaluation, what should I do?

Cooperate with the custody evaluator; the evaluation is designed to find out what is in the best interests of your children. Custody evaluations are a regular part of contested custody cases. Share any concerns that arise during the evaluation with your attorney.

What is parental alienation syndrome?

Parental alienation syndrome occurs when one parent convinces the child that the other parent has nothing to offer the child (or that the other parent is a bad parent or spouse), and the child comes to see the other parent in a uniformly negative light. The child insists on staying with one parent and refusing to see the other, usually in order to show loyalty to one parent. Courts disapprove of this type of behavior on the part of a parent and typically demonstrate such disapproval when making custody and visitation decisions.

Talk To An Experienced Florida Child Custody Lawyer Today

If you are in the middle of a custody dispute or have questions about whether your agreement is the optimal arrangement for your child, talk to us today. Our experience and commitment to the wellbeing of your children mean we will advise you toward what we believe is the best course of action for your children, not the one that will make us the most money. Talk to us today by calling 954-840-8883 or fill out this form to schedule your consultation.

DISCLAIMER: This site and any information contained herein are intended for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. Seek competent legal counsel for advice on any legal matter.