Research on why spouses abandon a marriage comes mainly from studies of divorced people, which most often cite lack of commitment, infidelity, and constant conflict, followed by marrying young, money problems, substance abuse, and domestic violence. In Wisconsin, divorce is no-fault, and a spouse who was left can file and request temporary support and placement orders.
Research that asks divorced people why their marriages ended is the closest evidence on why spouses abandon a marriage. The most commonly reported reasons are lack of commitment, infidelity, and too much conflict and arguing. Marrying too young, financial problems, substance abuse, and domestic violence are also frequently cited. Infidelity, domestic violence, and substance use are often described as the final straw.
When divorced people describe their reasons in their own words, infidelity, incompatibility, and drinking or drug use come up most. If you are noticing distance before any physical departure, review signs your spouse has emotionally abandoned the marriage.
Wisconsin is a no-fault divorce state. Under Wis. Stat. § 767.315, the court finds the marriage irretrievably broken if both spouses say so under oath, or if the spouses have voluntarily lived apart for a required period and one spouse says so. If only one spouse says so, the court decides after considering the prospect of reconciliation. Property is divided without regard to marital misconduct, so the reason your spouse left does not change the presumption of equal division. Learn more about marital abandonment and what you can do about it.
If your spouse has left, you can file for divorce or legal separation and ask for temporary orders. Those orders can cover child support, maintenance for you, attorney fees, legal custody, physical placement, and a ban on either spouse disposing of assets. Gather pay stubs, account statements, and a record of the date your spouse left and who has cared for the children since. If the departure was sudden, use what to do first if your spouse leaves without warning.
Whatever explains why spouses abandon a marriage in your case, Renier Hotopp Law Offices can explain temporary orders and divorce options through its Wisconsin divorce attorney services. Learn more about the firm.
