{"id":76147,"date":"2022-03-29T09:44:59","date_gmt":"2022-03-29T09:44:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/?p=76147"},"modified":"2026-01-03T14:10:39","modified_gmt":"2026-01-03T14:10:39","slug":"abandonment-in-marriage","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/divorce\/abandonment-in-marriage\/","title":{"rendered":"How Does Abandonment in Marriage Affect Divorce Issues?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

\"Couple<\/p>\n

Among the plethora of reasons why married couples decide to opt for a divorce, one of the underrated and lesser-known reasons for divorce is abandonment.<\/span><\/p>\n

Although you may have watched some movies or series on television where the spouse comes back to an empty house and an apology note from their significant other (stating that the marriage is over), there’s a lot to be learned about how does abandonment affects a divorce.<\/span><\/p>\n

Yes, it’s true.<\/span><\/p>\n

Abandonment in marriage <\/span><\/a>can drastically impact one’s divorce process.<\/span><\/p>\n

If you’re curious to learn about how does abandonment affects a divorce, desertion in marriage, filing an abandonment divorce, and more, just read on!<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span>What is abandonment in divorce?<\/span><\/h2>\n

\"Unhappy<\/p>\n

The very step in understanding how does abandonment affects a divorce is first to acquaint yourself with the meaning of abandonment in marriage.<\/span><\/p>\n

So, what is abandonment?<\/span><\/p>\n

Abandonment, particularly marital abandonment, refers to the situation wherein a spouse deliberately severs ties with their family members without any intention of returning.<\/span><\/p>\n

When one’s spouse intentionally and deliberately deserts their family and washes their hands off of all responsibilities towards their family, including financial obligations, it is called marital abandonment.<\/span><\/p>\n

Before delving deeper into how abandonment affects a <\/span>divorce<\/span><\/a>, something fundamental to cover is for you to understand what doesn’t constitute desertion in marriage.<\/span><\/p>\n

So, what isn’t categorized as abandonment in marriage?<\/span><\/p>\n

Suppose one’s spouse moves out of the marital home permanently or temporarily for a separation (irrespective of whether permanent or temporary) while still carrying out their responsibilities (financial obligations and support). In that case, it isn’t categorized as spouse abandonment.<\/span><\/p>\n

A few fault-based divorce states have categorized this situation as “willful desertion.” <\/span><\/p>\n

Another essential thing to note about how abandonment affects a divorce is that every state has its definition or conceptualization of abandonment in marriage and what isn’t.<\/span><\/p>\n

According to <\/span>Grady Shumway<\/span><\/a>, LMHC:<\/span><\/p>\n

Understanding these distinctions helps you navigate your options with clarity and reduces unnecessary fear or confusion. If you find yourself in this situation, consulting a legal professional can ensure you take the right steps based on your state’s laws.<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

<\/span>How are desertion and abandonment related to divorce?<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n

The next concept to look into under how does abandonment affects a divorce is the basic relationship of desertion or abandonment to divorce. How does it basically relate to divorce?<\/span><\/p>\n

Irrespective of the state where you’re married, couples who want a divorce can choose the option of filing a “fault divorce” or a <\/span>“no-fault divorce.”<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Although the criteria of a no-fault divorce vary from state to state, when a married couple files for a no-fault divorce, neither spouse blames their partner for leaving the marriage. In a no-fault divorce, marital misconduct isn’t a factor in that divorce.<\/span><\/p>\n

Did you know that no-fault divorce is the only option available to married couples for legally terminating their marriage in many states!<\/span><\/p>\n

The person who files the no-fault divorce attests that the relationship breakup and separation were willful and voluntary without marital misconduct such as abandonment in divorce.<\/span><\/p>\n

So, naturally, if a spouse is filing a fault divorce, it means that the spouse is attributing the breakdown of the marriage to the occurrence of marital misconduct. The one filing for divorce is thus saying that the marriage ended because of <\/span>marital misconduct<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Fault divorces are undoubtedly more emotionally draining, expensive, and cumbersome than a no-fault divorce.<\/span><\/p>\n

States such as Maryland and Alabama in the US allow spouses to file a fault divorce with desertion or abandonment as the ground for the request. Therefore, in such states, divorce by abandonment is permissible.<\/span><\/p>\n

Thus, you can see that if your spouse has abandoned or deserted you in the marriage, it plays a significant role in the divorce process. In fact, in some states, abandonment can be the ground for filing a fault divorce!<\/span><\/p>\n

Related Reading: <\/i><\/b>What Is Desertion in Marriage & 5 Reasons Why It Occurs<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/pre>\n
<\/span>Difference between abandonment or desertion and separation<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n
The next concept to uncover in how does abandonment affect a divorce is the difference between abandonment and separation.<\/span><\/p>\n
Whether it is desertion or abandonment, both are consequences of a spouse leaving the marital relationship and home without letting their significant other know about this and without any intention of coming back.<\/span><\/p>\n
Separation, on the contrary, happens when both spouses are well-aware of the fact that the marriage is over. Whether the decision to end the marriage is mutual, at least the spouse that is leaving communicates this information to their partner.<\/span><\/p>\n
Separations aren’t a fault ground for divorce. In separations, couples communicate about the duration of the separation and if it will possibly lead to divorce (and when).<\/span><\/p>\n
Either spouse does not randomly gives up important responsibilities. Crucial matters such as childcare, finances, etc., are discussed.<\/span><\/p>\n
Abandonment or desertion in a marital relationship by a spouse is a fault ground for divorce in several states. When it comes to abandonment, the spouse leaves the marriage, marital home, and responsibilities without letting their significant other know.<\/span><\/p>\n
So, divorce for abandonment is a possibility.<\/span><\/p>\n
Related Reading:<\/i><\/b> Help With Marriage Separation<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/pre>\n
You may as well watch this video to understand how a typical divorce differs from an abandonment divorce:<\/b> <\/b><\/a><\/p>\n