Title 14, Domestic Relations and Persons

A husband and wife cannot by any contract with each other alter their marital relations, except that they may agree in writing to an immediate separation and may make provision for the support of either of them and of their children during such separation. The mutual consent of t…

The separate and mutual rights and liabilities of a husband and a wife are as follows: 1. Neither the husband nor the wife as such is answerable for the acts of the other. 2. Except for necessary expenses as provided in subsection 3, the earnings of one spouse are not liable for …

No estate is allowed the husband by curtesy upon the death of his wife and no estate in dower is allotted to the wife upon the death of her husband.

The parties to a marriage are mutually liable to any person who in good faith supplied either party with articles necessary for their support. Such persons may recover the reasonable value from either party except in the cases when by law one party is not liable for the support o…

An abandoned spouse is not liable for the support of the other spouse unless there is an offer to return on the part of the abandoning spouse or the abandonment is justified by misconduct. A party is not an abandoned spouse if the other party resides elsewhere for medical or beha…

In case the husband or wife abandons the other and removes from the state and is absent therefrom for one year without providing for the maintenance and support of that person's family, or is sentenced to imprisonment either in the county jail or penitentiary for the period of on…

All contracts, sales, or encumbrances made either by the husband or the wife by virtue of the power contemplated and granted by order of the court as provided in section 14-07-12 are binding on both, and during such absence or imprisonment, the person acting under such power may …

The husband or wife affected by the proceedings contemplated in sections 14-07-12 and 14-07-13 may have the order or decree of the court set aside or annulled by affidavit of such party, setting forth fully the facts and supported by such other testimony as the court shall deem p…

1. Every parent or other person legally responsible for the care or support of a child who wholly abandons the child or willfully fails to furnish food, shelter, clothing, and medical attention reasonably necessary and sufficient to meet the child's needs is guilty of a class C f…

Every husband or wife who, without lawful excuse, deserts that person's spouse with intent wholly to abandon that spouse or who willfully fails to furnish such food, shelter, clothing, and medical attention as is reasonably necessary and sufficient to keep the life of the spouse …

Desertion or a failure to support a child or pregnant wife for a period of three months is presumptive evidence of intention wholly to abandon.

In a prosecution for desertion or for nonsupport, before the trial and with the consent of the defendant, or at the trial, on the entry of a plea of guilty, or after conviction, instead of imposing the penalty, or in addition to the penalty, the court in its discretion, having re…

The bond given in lieu of or in addition to the punishment for abandonment or nonsupport must provide that the defendant shall furnish a spouse or child with proper food, shelter, clothing, and medical attention for such a period, not exceeding five years, as the court may order.…

Upon the filing of an affidavit showing the violation of the conditions of a bond given in lieu of or in addition to the punishment for nonsupport or desertion, the accused shall be heard upon an order to show cause. If the charges are sustained, the court may proceed with the tr…

In any prosecution for desertion or failure to support a wife, husband, or child, no other or greater evidence is required to prove the relationship of the defendant to such wife, husband, or child than is or shall be required to prove such relationship in a civil action.