abandonment

[runfast]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? ny
If one parent leaves the home before there is a seperation agreement in place, is this considered abandonment?

[LdiJ]

Originally Posted by runfast

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? ny
If one parent leaves the home before there is a seperation agreement in place, is this considered abandonment?

If I had a quarter for every time that question had been asked on this forum I would be a rich woman.

No..its NOT abandonment. However, if that parent leaves without taking the children with them (and NO that's not kidnapping either) then it lessens their chances for primary custody.

Now, if the parent leaves, moves away without leaving a forwarding address, does not contact the children for a year..THAT could be abandonment.

If the parent leaves, and removes the primary income from the home and takes no responsibility for any of the bills, AND ignores the children, that could also be abandonment.

However moving out, in and of itself, is NOT abandonment. Nor does it lessen the parent's chances for joint custody...it just lessens their chances for primary custody.