Q: Will courts in Ohio terminate a marriage after 19 year separation from spouse?
Married in 2002, he left in 2005 for Mexico and never came back.
A: Yes. Desertion, which also may be referred to as abandonment, is a divorce ground in many states (including Ohio). When one spouse leaves for one year without the consent of the other, this is considered desertion. The length of time required for divorce may vary from state to state, but in Ohio it is one year before you have grounds for divorce. Obtaining a divorce when the spouse is not in the country and/or whereabouts are unknown is tricky so I would recommend engaging the services of an experienced family law attorney. Best wishes!
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