How to File Divorce in Delhi?

Updated on August 29, 2024 10:59:51 AM

Divorce proceedings can be emotionally stressful and complicated legally. The importance of understanding the particular legal complexities increases for people living in Delhi, the capital city of India. The complicated legalities of Delhi's vast judicial system must be carefully navigated, whether you're dealing with mutual consent divorces or opposing the dissolution of your marriage. This essay seeks to clarify the procedures, documentation, and things to keep in mind as you go through the process of filing for divorce in Delhi step by step.

Here we will get the complete information about Divorce in Delhi, its procedure, documentation, and grounds. By doing so, the readers will be able to gain a comprehensive understanding of divorce before proceeding.

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What is Divorce?

Divorce is a legal procedure for ending a marriage through filing a petition in a court of law. It represents the dissolution of a marital bond between both partners and serves as a legal separation. Getting divorced in Delhi is not just a legal process, but it can be an emotional and psychological journey as well. The divorce process and law can vary according to the different countries, religions or communities.

Grounds For Divorce

The Grounds for Divorce in India are as follows:

  1. Adultery- When a married person is involved in voluntary sexual activity but someone other than their spouse known as Adultery. It can be considered as the grounds for divorce in Delhi.
  2. Conversation - In this, if a partner is not ready to convert to the religion that his/her partner converted, the husband/wife has the right to file a petition for Divorce in Court and can continue with their religion. This is not mandatory in a marriage that one partner should change or convert their religion if she/he does not want to and their partner can not force him/her.
  3. Mental Disorder - If one spouse is found to have a mental illness or to be mentally unsound, displaying marital existence is impossible, the other spouse may file for divorce on that basis. Depending on the legal requirements of the jurisdiction, the condition often requires certification from medical professionals.
  4. Communicable Disease - If a spouse suffers from any communicable disease that can be very harmful to another one, on the basis of this husband/wife can file a petition for divorce in court.
  5. Renunciation of the World - The term "renunciation of the world" as a grounds for divorce suggests that the other spouse has the right to file for divorce if the other partner abandons all worldly pleasures, follows a religious path, and ceases to fulfil marital obligations.
  6. Presumption of Death - The term "Presumption of Death" as a basis for divorce means that the surviving spouse may file for divorce if the other spouse has been missing and assumed deceased for a certain period of time, typically seven years. This clause implies the absent spouse won't turn up, allowing the other spouse to legally remarry.

Types of Divorce in Delhi

There are two types of Divorce in Delhi that are as follows:

  1. Mutual Divorce:- Mutual Divorce or Divorce by Mutual Consent is when both partners want separation through a mutual concern. It is a joint decision of both and takes less time to complete the procedure. Mutual divorce simplifies the process of divorce and the other issues such as child custody, alimony and property distribution.
  2. Contested Divorce:- A Contested Divorce is a type of divorce in which one or both of the parties disagree with the other's petition for a mutual divorce or if there is a disagreement between them regarding alimony, property, or a child. In those circumstances, individuals must ask the court for assistance with their marital separation. A disputed divorce might take anywhere between one year and six years to complete.

Process for Divorce in Delhi

The common steps are given below for getting a Divorce in Delhi:

Step 1: Seek Lawyers Help

Getting a Divorce in Delhi could be a complex and lengthy procedure therefore, the spouses must consult and seek a lawyer’s help before proceeding.

Seeking a lawyer’s help provides you with the information you need to make wise decisions about the legal repercussions of divorce, such as property distribution, alimony, child custody, and support.“Litem Legalis” can serve as the best choice as a legal attorney for your divorce proceeding with years of experience in this field.

Step 2: Filing Petition

At the initial stage of dissolution of a marriage, they both have to file a petition for divorce in Court. The spouse who files a petition for the divorce is referred to as the “Petitioner” and the other spouse is known as “Respondent”.

The Petitioner has to submit appropriate documents and mention the grounds of divorce. This ground could be anything such as cruelty, adultery, domestic violence and many more. The petitioner also outlines the conditions they need, including things like child custody, property partition, and alimony. This petition serves as the starting point for the whole divorce process.

Step 3: Recording of Statement

Just after filing the petition for Divorce in India, the court proceeds with the statement recording from both parties (husband & wife) especially in mutual divorce. All these statements are in written form and provide a thorough explanation/information about the grounds of Divorce.

If it is a Mutual Divorce, both parties confirm their agreement to end the marriage. This statement aids in verifying the accuracy of the assertions made in the petition. The court also records the witness record to make a fair decision.

Step 4: Evidence

When the statement has been recorded, a wide range of evidence also be submitted in front of the court that supports the claim made in the petition. This step basically comes in a Contested divorce according to the grounds of divorce.

The Evidence could be anything such as photographs, any documents that prove the claim, messages, emails, bank statements and many more. Medical reports also be important evidence in case of physical harm.

Step 5: Final Decree

After the stage of statements and evidence submission, the court starts the hearing procedure. At this stage, the court examines all the evidence and claims mentioned in the statement or petition and conducts a hearing for argument. After hearing the arguments from both parties and if the court is convinced of the grounds of divorce, they grant a six-month waiting period. This is not the final termination of the marriage, but rather an indication that the court sees no reason to prevent the divorce from proceeding.

After the waiting period, if no negotiation between both spouses and they are ready to end the relationship, the court accepts their divorce. This is the final Decree of the court where they legally dissolute the bond of the marriage.

Required Documents for the Divorce in Delhi

The commonly required documents for both kinds of divorce in Delhi are given below:

  • Marriage Proof evidence (e.g. - Marriage Certificate, photos, wedding cards, etc.)
  • Address Proof (ex-Aadhar card, PAN card, Voter ID, etc.)
  • Income statement (if required)
  • Passport size photos
  • Evidence supporting the grounds of divorce
  • Details of Children (if have)
  • MoU or Settlement deed (in case of mutual divorce)

Why Litem Legalis?

Litem Legalis specialises in divorce processes, and we were founded with a mission to assist people during one of life's most difficult transitions. Our team of experienced lawyers utilises compassion and knowledge to provide our clients with the best possible representation, advice, and support as they navigate the challenges of divorce.

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Free Legal Advice

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Expert Lawyers

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Conclusion

Like in many other jurisdictions, filing for divorce in Delhi involves a number of steps and requires an in-depth knowledge of the related legal requirements and processes. It's critical for people to be aware, to make sure they have the required documentation, and to abide by local legal conventions. While going through a divorce is surely difficult, being well-prepared and knowledgeable can help reduce some of the stress that comes with divorce in Delhi.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is Divorce?

A divorce is a legal procedure that ends a marriage through a legal petition.

What are the grounds for Divorce in Delhi?

There are several grounds for Divorce in Delhi such as Cruelty, desertion, conversion, mental disorder, communicable disease and presumption of death.

What is Mutual Divorce?

A divorce by mutual consent or mutual divorce occurs when both partners want separation.

What is the Special Marriage Act?

The Special Marriage Act establishes secular marriages for Delhi citizens under the Indian Parliament. Divorce grounds are also outlined in the Act.

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