Divorce procedure in India made comprehensive in a 5 minute read

“My spouse and I have never considered divorce. Murder sometimes, but never divorce.”

Don’t! JUST don’t take the above quote seriously.

For the same reason, we have laid out the divorce procedure in India in the simplest and clearest way.

But the divorce procedure in India differs based on the types of divorces

There are 2 types of divorces as per the Hindu Law:

Mutual Consent divorce procedure in India:

“Divorces are made in heaven.”

Oscar Wilde

Under the Hindu Marriage Act, Mutual consent divorce procedure in India is governed by Section 13-B. The process involves the following steps

1. Petition:

Draft a petition stating the reason for seeking a mutual consent divorce and both the parties have agreed on it.

• Appearance before the court by both parties:

File the petition jointly through respective lawyers before the family court. The court will inspect the petition and if necessary, may also try to bring reconciliation between the spouses.

• Order to record statements on oath:

The court after the examination of the petition along with the documents will pass on the order for the recording of the statement on oath.

• First motion and 6 months cooling period:

Once the statements are recorded, an order on the first motion is passed by the court. After this, a cooling period of six months’ time is given to the parties in the hope of their reconciliation.

• Second motion and final hearing

Post 6 months, if there is no reconciliation, both the parties need to appear for the final hearing. (Parties have to appear for the second motion within 18 months from the date of filing the divorce petition.)

• Divorce Decree

In the final hearing, the court passes the mutual consent divorce decree dissolving the court marriage

Documents for divorce procedure in india – Mutual consent divorce

Contested divorce procedure in india have some grounds

“Just another of our many disagreements. He wants a no-fault divorce, whereas I would prefer to have the bastard crucified.”

J. B. Handelsman

Section 13 of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 expounds grounds on which contested divorce procedure in India can be obtained.

• Adultery

Sexual relations with someone out of the marriage.  

• Cruelty

Causing danger to body, limb, life or to mental health, pain, abusing, torturing mentally or physically.

• Desertion

wilfully abandoning another without any intention of coming back for more than two years

• Religion Conversion

If either of the spouses ceases to be a Hindu

• Mental Disorder

Unsoundness of mind, mental illness, or such mental disorder which makes the person abnormally aggressive.

• Communicable Diseases and Leprosy

Leprosy is a contagious and chronic disease that causes lesions on skins and nerve damage.

• Spouse not heard of

If either of a spouse is not heard of for more than seven years

• Renunciation of the world

If either of the spouses has renounced the world and has entered a holy order. 

There are three other grounds for divorce procedure in India available only to the wife which are:

• Husband has been guilty of rape, sodomy or bestiality.
• The wife was married before the age of fifteen.
• A decree or order has been given by court awarding maintenance to the wife and they have not been living together for more than one year

Contested divorce procedure in India

• Petition

Draft a petition clearly stating the facts and grounds for seeking a contested divorce procedure in india along with documents relevant to the case.

• Notice to the other party by the court

After scrutinizing the petition and decides to move with the case, it sends a notice or summons the other party to appear on a decided date along with his/ her lawyer. 

• Suggestions for mediation

The court will suggest parties for mediation and if the mediation fails to resolve the issue, the court will continue with the divorce proceedings.

• Recording of statements and submitting evidences

Both the parties will appear before the court, record their statements, submit evidence, get cross-examined and will present their witnesses if any and present the final arguments

• Divorce decree

The court on a fixed date will deliver the verdict and pass a divorce decree. The aggrieved party can appeal to the order passed within 3 months from the passing of such order.

Documents for divorce – Contested Divorce

Where to file a petition for the divorce procedure in india:

1. The court can be one where couple seeking divorce last lived.

2. The court can be one where the marriage was solemnized.

3. The court can be one where the wife is residing as of present.

Custody of child after divorce in India

So glad that mom and dad got their revenge on each other by holding out on my child support

Said no child ever!

It is a very important and sensitive aspect of a divorce and the court for the divorce procedure in India looks into several factors like:

• Safe keeping of the child
• Ethical upbringing of the child
• Good education to be imparted
• Economic well-being of the guardian

• Physical Custody Of child

The child shall be living with one of the parents, and the other parent can visit and meet the child making sure that the child has a safe and healthy environment to grow.

• Joint Custody of child

Instead of living with one parent, the child can live with both parents in rotation. The time duration can be decided by the parties or the Court. It helps the child to be in touch with both the parents.

• Legal Custody of child

The parent who has legal custody means that he/she has the right to take a decision for his/her children. Generally, legal custody is given to both the parents, unless, the court thinks that there will be a conflict between the parents, and they would never agree with each other.

• Third-Party Custody of child

If neither the father nor the mother is fit to take care of the child, the court can appoint the third party to act as guardian.

Read more on

http://www.fortunelegal.in/child-custody-laws-in-india.html

Statutory Provision – The legal framework includes the personal law and secular law known as Guardians and Wards Act, 1890. 

Other important aspects of a divorce procedure in India

Alimony, maintenance and property division are some other important aspects of a divorce procedure on India

A lot of people have asked me how short I am. Since my last divorce, I think I’m about $100,000 short.     

Mickey Rooney

Refer to this website for more information on the other important aspects of a divorce procedure in India

https://www.myadvo.in/blog/step-by-step-divorce-procedure-in-India/

What is the cost involved for divorce procedure in india?

You know why divorces are so expensive? Because they’re worth it.     

Willie Nelson

The court fee of a divorce procedure in India is nominal at Rs 15, but the bulk is taken up by lawyer’s fees. While women can avail of free legal services by getting an advocate from the legal aid cell, private lawyers’ fee can vary from Rs 10,000 to Rs 1 lakh, depending on the type of divorce and duration involved.

Advocates can charge on the basis of each hearing or as a lump sum on an annual basis. Women can also ask for litigation expenses from husband via court, but the amount granted by the court is usually less.

FAQs for the divorce procedure in India