Debt Which Husband Obtained by Forging Wife’s Name was Declared His Non-Marital Debt

The husband in a Florida divorce action versus Brevard County forged his wife’s name on a home equity line of credit (HELOC) to cover his obligation to invest $100,000.00 in a start up bank, where he sat on the board of directors. The wife later learned of the HELOC when the lender called threatening to foreclose on the home due to non-payment. The husband had to pay the HELOC by cashing out some of his retirement funds. The startup bank never got its charter resulting in a complete loss of the $100,000.00. The husband argued that he had made many successful investments during the marriage which had benefited Wife and that it was unfair for her to disavow this one investment which ending up losing money.  The trial court agreed with the husband.