Spouse abandonment: what is it?

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Spousal abandonment occurs when a partner intentionally and secretly distances themselves from the family, often leaving the other without financial support. Separation can be beneficial, but when one party leaves without informing the other, it can cause emotional and financial distress. Abandonment is not always caused by men and can occur for various reasons, including physical abuse.

Laws regarding family dynamics and various marriage-related matters often differ for each jurisdiction. In most areas, however, spousal abandonment typically occurs when a husband or wife intentionally and covertly distances themselves from the family, often keeping their position hidden from the other. In some cases, the rejected spouse knows the whereabouts of their partner, but still remains without means of financial support. This is more common when the person leaving is the breadwinner of the family. Usually, this problem occurs in a turbulent marriage when divorce may already be looming, but sometimes a spouse is abandoned without any warning.

When a married couple decides to sever ties, the process of separation and divorce is rarely straightforward, especially when children are involved. Under certain circumstances, it’s actually best for arguing couples to live separately. When one party decides to leave the family home, but informs the other of her choice and continues to provide financial support, the issue of abandonment usually does not arise. Indeed, this type of separation can alleviate a significant source of distress for the family and allow time for each member to heal.

Unfortunately, not all marriages end amicably. Because there are so many emotions involved, one party may decide that she simply wants to escape the situation. The wayward spouse essentially runs away and hides in secret. By doing so, however, you may create significant emotional and financial distress for each other and for the children currently living in the home.

Typically, it’s a man who is accused of abandoning a spouse, but not always. For example, wives who are breadwinners while their husbands take care of the children in the home may be vulnerable when the woman abruptly decides to leave. A man with a disability may also ask for his spouse to leave when his wife goes missing, withdraws financial contributions, or fails to provide other types of help.

Sometimes, a man or woman escapes a marriage to protect their safety. This is typical in situations of physical abuse or extreme abuse. The victimized spouse may see no other way out of the unhealthy and dangerous marriage, so she simply walks away without warning. In many cases, this type of action may not constitute spouse abandonment if the allegations are proven. Without seeking assistance from the authorities, however, it can be difficult to convince a judge that the alleged abuse was the reason for abandoning a partner.




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