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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>78344</law_id><section_number>20-81</section_number><catch_line>Presumptions as to desertion and abandonment</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><referred_to_by><reference>10.1-1402.03</reference><reference>10.1-1402.04</reference></referred_to_by><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="1" identifier="20">Domestic Relations</unit><unit label="chapter" level="2" order_by="1" identifier="5">Desertion and Nonsupport</unit></structure><text>
						<section><p>Proof of desertion or of neglect of spouse, child or children by any person shall be prima facie <span class="dictionary">evidence</span> that such desertion or neglect is willful; and proof that a person has left his or her spouse, or his or her child or children in destitute or necessitous circumstances, or has contributed nothing to their support for a period of thirty days prior or subsequent either or both to his or her departure, shall constitute prima facie <span class="dictionary">evidence</span> of an intention to abandon such family.</p></section></text><history>Code 1919, &#xA7; 1941; 1918, p. 761; 1922, p. 846; 1974, c. 464.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
