Ending a marriage legally — whether by mutual agreement or through a contested case — follows a specific process under the law that applied to your marriage.
The law governing your divorce generally depends on how your marriage was solemnised: Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist or Jain marriages are usually governed by the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955; civil marriages or those solemnised under the Special Marriage Act are governed by the Special Marriage Act, 1954; and other personal laws apply to marriages under other religions. We confirm which applies to you before advising on next steps.
Both spouses agree to separate and file jointly. Generally faster and less adversarial when both sides genuinely agree on terms. Read more ›
Filed on specific legal grounds where one spouse does not consent, or the parties cannot agree on terms. Read more ›
Where one spouse does not consent, a divorce petition must be based on recognised legal grounds such as cruelty, desertion, adultery, or other grounds available under the applicable law. The available grounds and how they are proved depend on which Act governs your marriage; we assess this against your facts rather than assuming a generic list applies.
We do not promise a particular outcome or timeline for a divorce case. Court schedules, the other party's response, and the specific facts of your matter all affect how it proceeds. We will give you our honest assessment rather than an optimistic one.
It depends on whether your spouse agrees to separate and on what terms. If there's genuine agreement, mutual consent is usually simpler; if not, a contested petition on valid grounds is the route. We assess this with you directly.
No outcome is automatic — maintenance and custody are decided on the facts of each case, including income, the children's welfare, and other circumstances. See our dedicated pages on maintenance and child custody.
Often, yes. See our matrimonial disputes & mediation page for how settlement discussions can run alongside or instead of a contested case.
Talk through your situation confidentially before deciding on a route.