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Can I file for divorce in Maine due to nonsupport?

Can I file for divorce in Maine due to nonsupport?

Q: Am I obligated to support my wife?

In Maine, spouses have a legal obligation to support each other financially during the marriage. This includes providing for basic needs such as food, shelter, and other living expenses. If one spouse fails to provide this support, it may be considered grounds for divorce based on nonsupport.

Q: Does the husband still have to support his wife during separation?

Yes, in Maine, a husband is generally still obligated to provide financial support to his wife during separation. This obligation continues until a divorce is finalized or a court orders otherwise. If a husband refuses to provide support, it may be grounds for divorce due to nonsupport.

Q: Does a husband have to support his wife during separation?

Yes, a husband is required to support his wife during separation in Maine. This includes providing necessary financial assistance for living expenses. If he fails to do so, it can be viewed as nonsupport, which may serve as grounds for divorce.

Q: Should I help my wife during separation?

Yes, it is advisable to provide support to your wife during separation, especially if she is in need. Fulfilling financial obligations can help maintain a more amicable separation process and may prevent legal complications related to nonsupport in a divorce.

Full question:

I live with my husband in Maine. He earns sufficient money but he refuses to provide maintenance or any kind of support. I do not want to continue our marriage. Can nonsupport be a ground for filing divorce?

Category: Divorce
Subcategory: Grounds
Date: 04/07/2025
State: Maine

Answer:

In Maine, you can file for divorce based on nonsupport. This applies when one spouse has the ability to provide support but willfully neglects or refuses to do so. According to 19-A M.R.S. § 902, grounds for divorce include:

A. Adultery
B. Impotence
C. Extreme cruelty
D. Utter desertion for three consecutive years
E. Gross and confirmed habits of intoxication from liquor or drugs
F. Nonsupport, when one spouse has sufficient ability to provide for the other and grossly, wantonly, or cruelly refuses to provide suitable maintenance
G. Cruel and abusive treatment
H. Irreconcilable marital differences
I. Repealed
J. A judicial determination of incapacity for which a guardian has been appointed

Therefore, you may file for divorce on the grounds of nonsupport.

This content is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Legal statutes mentioned reflect the law at the time the content was written and may no longer be current. Always verify the latest version of the law before relying on it.

FAQs

What is financial abandonment in marriage?

Financial abandonment in marriage occurs when one spouse neglects their financial responsibilities towards the other, despite having the means to support them. This can include failing to provide necessary living expenses or maintenance. In some states, such as Maine, this can be a valid ground for divorce, as it demonstrates a refusal to fulfill marital obligations.