Divorce - Types, Rules and Laws in India
The Indian Divorce Act is the one related to matrimonial causes. According to the Indian Divorce Act, Divorce is the legal dissolution of marriage. The Indian Divorce Act was drafted into the Indian legal system in the year 1869. Divorce rules and divorce process in India vary according to the community of the couple. A divorce is among the most traumatic misfortunes for any couple. The entire divorce process in India starts from coping up with emotional ups and downs to contesting for the long awaited divorce decree for several months is definitely a tough affair to get through. Before opting for a divorce one should be aware of the fact that a divorce procedure in India extends for almost a year and in some special cases of disputes the procedure may continue for years.
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Since India is a land of varied religious communities having their own marriage laws, the divorce procedure in India too varies, according to the community of the couple seeking divorce that’s why it is a multifaceted types of divorce process in India. All Hindus as well as Buddhists, Sikhs and Jains can seek divorce under the Hindu Marriage Act 1955 according to the divorce laws in India. The Muslim, Christian and Parsi communities, on the other hand, have their own laws governing marriage and divorce. Spouses belonging to different communities and castes can seek divorce under the Special Marriage Act, 1956. There is also the Foreign Marriage Act 1969, governing divorce laws in marriages where either partner belongs to another nationality.
With the advancement of time and social awareness, several acts have been passed by the government which states the divorce rules in India to make the present day divorce procedure in India more progressive with respect to gender affairs and related sensitive issues.
There are types of divorce petitions and you will hereby, understand the procedures on how to get divorce in India from your wife. Divorce laws in India are broadly categorized into ‘Divorce by Mutual Consent’, ‘Contested Divorce’, ‘Void Marriages’, here is a detailed overview about each of them which indicates, “How Divorce rules in India” are.
Grounds for Dissolution of Marriage- According to the Indian Divorce Act-
Any marriage solemnized, whether before or after the commencement of the Indian Divorce (Amendment) Act, 2001, may be dissolved on a petition presented to the District Court by either the husband or the wife, on the grounds that the respondent:
(i) has committed adultery; or
(ii) has ceased to be Christian by conversion to another religion; or
(iii) has been incurably of unsound mind for a continuous period of not less than two years.
(v) has been suffering from communicable venereal disease for a period of not less than two years immediately preceding the presentation of the petition; or
(vi) has not been heard of as being alive for a period of seven years or more by those persons who would naturally have heard of the respondent if the respondent had been alive; or
(vii) has wilfully refused to consummate the marriage and the marriage has not thus been consummated; or
(viii) has failed to comply with a decree for restitution of conjugal rights for a period of two years or more after the decree was passed against the respondent; or
(ix) has deserted the petitioner for at least two years immediately preceding the presentation of the petition; or
(x) has treated the petitioner with such cruelty that the petitioner has a reasonable fear that living with the petitioner would be harmful or injurious.
(2) A wife may also apply for the dissolution of her marriage if the husband has been convicted of rape, sodomy, or bestiality since the marriage's solemnization.
Extent of the Indian Divorce Act- The Act extends to the whole of India except the state of Jammu & Kashmir.
Divorce Lawyer- A divorce lawyer is a family law attorney who has experience with divorce, child custody and visitation, child support, and spousal support.
It is important to pick a divorce lawyer with whom the client feels comfortable speaking. In order for family law attorneys to effectively represent their clients, a large number of personal information must be disclosed to them.
Types of Divorce in India
1. DIVORCE WITH MUTUAL CONSENT
So, according to the divorce laws in India under Section 13-B of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955, the parties can seek divorce by mutual consent by filing a petition before the court through a divorce lawyer. Mutual consent means that both the parties agree for peaceful separation. Mutual Consent Divorce is a simple way of coming out of the marriage and dissolving it legally. Important requirement is the mutual consent of the husband & wife. There are two aspects on which Husband & Wife have to reach a consensus. One is the alimony or maintenance issues. As per Law there is no minimum or maximum limit of maintenance. It could be any figure or no figure. Next important consideration is the Child Custody. This can also be worked out effectively between the parties. Child Custody in Mutual Consent Divorce can be shared or joint or exclusive depending upon the understanding of the spouses.
Certain common questions about divorce with mutual consent have been answered below:
Q1) When can the divorce by mutual consent be filed?
A1) The parties intending to dissolve marriage are required to wait for at least one year from the date of marriage. They have to show that they have been living separately for a period of one year or more before the presentation of the petition for divorce and that during this period of separation they have not been able to live together as husband and wife.
Q2) Where to file the divorce petition?
A2) In the family court of the city / district where both the partners lived together for the last time, which was their matrimonial home and such a petition is filed by a divorce lawyer.
Q3) How to file divorce petition by mutual consent? What happens in the court?
A3) The divorce petition is in the form of an affidavit, which is to be submitted to the family court. After the filing of the petition and recording the statement of both the parties, the court generally adjourns the matter for a period of 6 months. After six months the parties have to present themselves again in the court for making a second motion confirming the mutual consent filed earlier. It is only after this second motion that a decree of the divorce is granted by the court.
Q4) Can any one party withdraw the mutual consent petition after filing in the court? What will happen by that?
A4) According to the divorce laws in India, during this period of 6 months when the petition is pending in the court, any of the partners is fully entitled to withdraw the mutual consent by filing an application before the court stating that he/she does not wish to seek divorce by mutual consent.
Q5) In such circumstances, the court grants no divorce decree. What can the other partner do under such circumstances?
A5) There is no option available to the other party to such circumstances except to file a normal petition for divorce under the provisions of the Section 13 of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1950. As far as divorce rules in India are concerned in such a situation divorce can be granted only on certain specified grounds like cruelty; desertion; voluntary sexual inter-course with another person; the other spouse being of unsound mind; conversion of religion by the other spouse; Leprosy; venereal disease; a spouse having renounced the world or being missing for a period of more than 7 years. These circumstances or we can say these situation are very crucial for divorce rules in India
Q6) Can the spouse consent for remarriage without getting divorce from the existing partner?
A6) Divorce rules in India clearly states that remarriage without getting divorce is a punishable offence with seven years’ imprisonment.
Q7) If either of the spouses is not heard for a long time, should the divorce be applied?
A7) If there is proof of the absence of one spouse without any information to the other spouse about his whereabouts for a continuous seven years period, a petition should be filed in this regard in the court.
Q8) When do divorced persons remarry?
A8) Depending on the nature of decree, after the expiry of three months from the date of decree if no notice of appeal is received by the person remarrying from the other person.
Q9) What are the costs involved in getting divorce by mutual consent?
A9) According to the divorce rules, if you hire a divorce lawyer, it will be somewhere from Rs25, 000 to Rs75, 000. But if you get the documentation done by us and file on your own without a divorce lawyer, the cost will be very low. You will not have any problem in filing your petition, and you will save a lot of money.
Q10) How much time does the whole divorce process in India take from filing the mutual consent petition in the court till the passing of the decree (judgment) by the court?
A10) It takes from six months to one year from the date of filing of the petition. It varies from case to case & place to place.
2. CONTESTED DIVORCE
As per the Divorce rules in India there is another type divorce that is contested divorce. In this case, there are specific grounds on which the petition can be made. It isn’t as if a husband or wife can simply ask for a divorce without stating a reason. The reasons for divorce are as follows, though some are not applicable to all religions. Following are some of the grounds for divorce in India:
Cruelty
Cruelty may be physical or mental cruelty. According to the Hindu Divorce Laws in India, if one spouse has a reasonable apprehension in the mind that the other spouse’s conduct is likely to be injurious or harmful, then there is sufficient ground for obtaining divorce due to cruelty by the spouse.
Adultery
In India, a man that commits adultery (i.e. has consensual sexual intercourse outside of marriage) can be charged with a criminal offence. The wife may, of course, file for divorce as a civil remedy. If, on the other hand, a wife commits adultery, she cannot be charged with a criminal offence, though the husband can seek prosecution of the adulterer male for adultery.
Desertion
One spouse deserting the other without reasonable cause (cruelty, for example) is the reason for divorce. However, the spouse who abandons the other should intend to desert and there should be proof of it. As per Hindu laws, the desertion should have lasted at least two continuous years. Christians, however, will not be able to file a divorce petition solely for this reason.
Conversion
Divorce can be sought by a spouse if the other spouse converts to another religion. This type of divorce reason does not require any time to have passed before divorce can be filed.
Mental Disorder
If the spouse is incapable of performing the normal duties required in a marriage on account of mental illness, divorce can be sought. If the mental illness is to such an extent that the normal duties of married life cannot be performed.
Communicable Disease
If the spouse suffers from a communicable disease, such as HIV/AIDS, syphilis, gonorrhea or a virulent and incurable form of leprosy, the Hindu Divorce Laws in India say that the other party can obtain a divorce.
Renunciation of the World
if the spouse renounces his/her married life and opts for sanyasa, the aggrieved spouse may obtain a divorce.
Presumption of Death
If the spouse has not been heard of as being alive for a period of at least seven years, by such individuals who would have heard about such spouse, if he or she were alive, then the spouse who is alive can obtain a judicial decree of divorce.
A few common questions about divorce without mutual consent have been answered:
Q1) What are the various steps involved in seeking a contested divorce?
A1) With a contested divorce, spouses will have to go through numerous steps before the divorce is finalized, including:
prepare, file and serve (deliver) the divorce petition (legal paperwork asking for the divorce and stating the grounds for the breakdown of the marriage)
respond to the petition
interview and hire an attorney
engage in “divorce discovery” – the information gathering process, which involves various legal procedures to get information from your spouse and third-party witnesses (e.g., written questions, subpoenas, and depositions)
pre-trial legal motions and hearings
settlement proposals and negotiations between attorneys
if settlement fails, prepare for trial
complete a court trial
Appeal, if you dispute the trial judge’s decision(s).
During the settlement phase, spouses are often unable to resolve issues. Although the divorce judge may encourage spouses to work things out, when that doesn’t happen the next step is divorce court.
During trial, both spouses present witnesses, and their lawyers cross-examine the witnesses and present closing arguments. After the trial is over, the court will issue a final order memorializing all of the judge’s decisions, and finalize the divorce.
Q2) What are the various documents required to file a petition for a contested divorce?
A2)The various documents required to file a petition for contested divorce are:
Address proof of husband
Address proof of wife
Marriage certificate.
Four passport size photographs of marriage of husband and wife
Evidence proving spouses are living separately since more than a year
Evidence relating to the failed attempts of reconciliation
Income tax statements for the last 2-3 years
Details of profession and present remuneration
Information relating to family background
Details of properties and other assets owned by the petitioner.
Q3) What is the cost involved in getting a contested divorce?
A3) Divorce Lawyers tend to charge fees for appearing in court and doing any other work. Depending on how intensely it is fought, therefore, a divorce may cost anywhere from the low ten thousands to lakhs of rupees.
Q4) What are different constraints regarding alimony?
A4) The right of maintenance extends to any person economically dependent on the marriage. This will include, therefore, either spouse, dependent children or even indigent parents.
The claim of either spouse (though, in the vast majority of cases, it is the wife), however, depends on the husband having sufficient means. When deciding how much alimony is to be paid, the courts will take into account the earning potential of the husband, his ability to regenerate his fortune (in case, say, the property is given to the wife) and his liabilities. In case either spouse is unable to pay for the divorce, these expenses would also be paid by the spouse that does have an income.
Various constraints determining the alimony are:
The age of the person entitled to receive the alimony.
The earnings and current financial status of the spouse entitled to pay the alimony.
The failing health or a medical condition of one of the spouses who is going to receive the alimony may act in favor of him or her. They can claim a larger alimony on the basis of their failing health.
The spouse that retains custody of the child would be entitled to either pay lesser alimony or be entitled to a greater amount while the child is a minor.
Q5) What are the provisions relating to child custody?
A5) Courts usually agree to the decision of the parents in a mutual consent divorce, the courts are expected to see to the best interest of the child. In a contested divorce, the courts will examine the ability of the mother or father to be a parent to the child, for example. Money is not usually a matter that is considered. Non-working mothers are regularly given custody of their children, but fathers are expected to provide financial support. This is one of the types of divorce in India.
3. VOID MARRIAGES
Following are the grounds which shall render a marriage void or the court shall deem it to be illegal are:
Bigamy
None of the parties to the marriage shall have a spouse living in the time of their marriage. If either of them has a spouse alive from an earlier marriage, their subsequent marriage is no marriage in the eyes of law. It is void ab initio and non-existent.
Persons falling within degrees of prohibited relationships
Lineal ascendants are to be seen from both sides, i.e. from the father’s side as well as from the mother’s side. So both the father and mother are lineal ascendants fall in degrees of prohibited relationships.
Sapinda relations
Sapinda relations can be illustrated as under:
Suppose A is a boy. Now if he is considered as one generation, relatives falling in four more generations upwards from him from the side of his father shall be his Sapinda relations. Therefore, A’s father, A’s grand-father, A’s great grand-father and the father of A’s great grand-father shall all be A’s Sapinda relations. But on the mother’s side, this chain is to extend to only three generations which include A. Therefore, A’s mother and A’s maternal grand-mother only shall be A’s Sapinda relations from the mother’ side, A himself being one generation. Marriages made up of such relationships are void.
A few common questions about void marriages have been answered below:
Q1) What are the provisions relating to maintenance of the wife?
A1) Another significant question that now arises is whether the wife whose marriage is void under section 11 of the Act can claim maintenance from her husband of that void marriage. The Supreme Court has held that where a marriage is void, wife cannot claim maintenance under sec. 488 .However it is a generally accepted rule that even in such cases, the wife is entitled to maintenance under sec. 18 of the Hindu Adoptions and Maintenance Act and also under section 24 of the Hindu Marriage Act.
Q2) Are the children born from void marriages legitimate?
A2) Hindu Marriage Act 1955 confers legitimacy upon the children born out of void marriages. It provides as under-
Hence the clear effect of section 16 is that if a child is born out of a wedlock which is subsequently declared to be null and void, that child will not be considered illegitimate but he shall be considered legitimate despite the marriage being illegal from its inception. The section provides a cushion to the children of void marriages and prevents them from being penalized.
