Answer By law4u team
Desertion (or abandonment) can significantly affect spousal maintenance (alimony) claims, depending on the jurisdiction and the specific circumstances of the desertion. Generally, desertion occurs when one spouse voluntarily leaves the marital home without justification, and without the intention of returning. This can influence both the eligibility for and the amount of spousal support awarded during divorce proceedings.
1. Impact on Eligibility for Spousal Maintenance:
Desertion as a Factor: In many legal systems, desertion can impact whether a spouse is entitled to maintenance. If one spouse abandons the other without cause, the deserted spouse may be entitled to maintenance, especially if they are financially dependent on the spouse who left.
Punitive Effect: In some jurisdictions, desertion may be seen as a fault ground for divorce. Courts might award spousal maintenance to the deserted spouse as a form of compensation for the wrongful abandonment, recognizing that the deserted spouse may face financial hardship as a result.
2. Amount of Spousal Maintenance:
Increased Maintenance: If desertion has left the spouse in a disadvantaged financial situation, courts may order a higher amount of spousal maintenance to help the deserted spouse transition financially. The court considers factors such as the duration of the marriage, the standard of living during the marriage, and the financial needs of the deserted spouse.
Potential Reduction or Denial: In some cases, desertion might lead to a reduction or even denial of spousal maintenance. For instance, if the deserting spouse has left the marriage without cause, they might be seen as partially responsible for the breakdown of the marriage, and courts may choose not to grant maintenance to the deserting spouse, even if they seek financial support.
3. Desertion and Fault-Based Divorce:
Fault Grounds: In fault-based divorce systems, desertion is often a recognized ground for divorce. In these systems, the spouse who has abandoned the other might lose the right to claim spousal maintenance. The courts may consider the desertion as evidence that the abandoning spouse should not benefit financially from the dissolution of the marriage.
Equitable Considerations: In no-fault divorce systems, where the dissolution of the marriage is not based on misconduct, desertion may still be considered when determining maintenance, but the court will focus more on the financial and practical needs of the parties involved rather than on punishment.
4. Duration of Desertion:
Long-Term Desertion: If the desertion has lasted for an extended period, the deserted spouse may be able to make a stronger claim for spousal support, especially if they have been unable to support themselves financially. Courts typically look at how long the desertion lasted and whether it has resulted in significant financial hardship.
5. Consideration of Other Factors:
Financial Need: Regardless of desertion, the court will primarily assess the financial needs and resources of both parties when determining maintenance. If the deserted spouse can prove a need for support and lack of sufficient income, they may still be entitled to maintenance, even if the desertion was voluntary.
Spouse’s Ability to Pay: The ability of the deserting spouse to pay maintenance is also a key factor. If the spouse who left is financially capable, the court may award maintenance to the deserted spouse, particularly if they have no means to support themselves.
Example:
If a wife has been abandoned by her husband for several years without any support, and she has no income or financial resources to support herself, the court may consider desertion as a factor in awarding her spousal maintenance. The court will evaluate her financial needs and the husband’s ability to pay, potentially ordering the husband to pay a higher amount of alimony due to the hardship caused by the desertion.
In contrast, if the husband had deserted the wife due to her misconduct or the couple had already been separated for a long time, the court might reduce or deny spousal maintenance if it finds the abandonment was justified.
Summary:
Desertion can significantly influence spousal maintenance claims. If a spouse abandons the other without reason, the deserted spouse may be entitled to maintenance to alleviate financial hardship. Courts may increase the amount of spousal support to compensate for the abandonment or, in some cases, deny it if the deserting spouse is found to be at fault. In all cases, the court will consider the financial needs and resources of both parties, as well as the duration of the desertion, when determining the appropriate amount of support.
