In New York State, desertion, within the context of matrimonial law, refers to the act of one spouse voluntarily leaving the other with the intention of not returning, without justification or consent, for a period of at least one year. This act can constitute grounds for divorce. For instance, if a husband leaves his wife and children, moves to another state, and provides no support or communication for over a year, this could be considered a form of spousal desertion under New York law.
Establishing spousal desertion as grounds for divorce can provide a pathway to legal separation for an abandoned spouse who may otherwise be financially vulnerable or emotionally distressed. Historically, demonstrating desertion was a more common route to divorce, offering a legal recourse in times when other grounds, such as adultery or cruelty, were more difficult to prove. While no-fault divorce is now an option, proving abandonment can still be strategically important in certain cases, particularly when considering issues of equitable distribution of property or spousal maintenance.