In France, the word ‘desertion’ involves two distinct things with different legal consequences and penalties.
– Desertion means that one spouse left the family home against the wishes of the other with no good reason and can be served as ground for a fault-divorce. It’s called “abandon du domicile conjugal” as “ desertion” in English.
– Desertion also refers to missed maintenance payments and is considered as a criminal offence. It’s called “abandon de famille” as desertion in English.