Family Law Questions
Browse family law questions asked by people across India.
Questions in Family Law are answered with reference to the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955, the Special Marriage Act, 1954, the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005 and Section 125 of the CrPC (now Section 144 of the BNSS, 2023) for maintenance. Each answer states the section that applies, the forum that hears the matter and the limitation period, so the position can be checked against the official text at India Code before you act on it.
The forum depends on the facts rather than the label: a dispute described as a family matter may be heard by a family court, a magistrate or a civil judge depending on whether the relief sought is maintenance, custody, injunction or declaration. Where the law has been renumbered by the 2023 criminal law reforms, answers note both the old and the new section numbers.
How do I get child custody of my minor child in Karimnagar after separation?
How do I get child custody of my minor child in Nizamabad after separation?
How do I get child custody of my minor child in Warangal after separation?
How do I get child custody of my minor child in Secunderabad after separation?
How do I get child custody of my minor child in Hyderabad after separation?
How do I get child custody of my minor child in Dindigul after separation?
How do I get child custody of my minor child in Thoothukudi after separation?
How do I get child custody of my minor child in Erode after separation?
How do I get child custody of my minor child in Vellore after separation?
How do I get child custody of my minor child in Tirunelveli after separation?
How do I get child custody of my minor child in Salem after separation?
How do I get child custody of my minor child in Tiruchirappalli after separation?
How do I get child custody of my minor child in Madurai after separation?
How do I get child custody of my minor child in Coimbatore after separation?
How do I get child custody of my minor child in Chennai after separation?
How do I get child custody of my minor child in Darjeeling after separation?
How do I get child custody of my minor child in Kharagpur after separation?
How do I get child custody of my minor child in Siliguri after separation?
How do I get child custody of my minor child in Asansol after separation?
How do I get child custody of my minor child in Durgapur after separation?
How do I get child custody of my minor child in Howrah after separation?
How do I get child custody of my minor child in Kolkata after separation?
How do I get child custody of my minor child in Tumkur after separation?
How do I get child custody of my minor child in Davangere after separation?
How do I get child custody of my minor child in Gulbarga after separation?
How do I get child custody of my minor child in Belgaum after separation?
How do I get child custody of my minor child in Hubli after separation?
How do I get child custody of my minor child in Mangalore after separation?
How do I get child custody of my minor child in Mysuru after separation?
How do I get child custody of my minor child in Mysore after separation?
Frequently Asked Questions about Family Law
What is family law in India?
Family law in India governs marriage, divorce, child custody, adoption, maintenance, and inheritance. It includes personal laws based on religion (Hindu Marriage Act, Muslim Personal Law, Christian Marriage Act) and secular laws like the Special Marriage Act, 1954.
How much does a family lawyer cost in India?
Family lawyer fees in India range from ₹500 to ₹5,000 per consultation, and ₹10,000 to ₹1,00,000 for a full case, depending on complexity, city, and the lawyer experience. Mutual consent divorce is typically cheaper than contested divorce.
How long does a divorce take in India?
Mutual consent divorce takes 6 to 7 months (including the 6-month cooling-off period under Section 13B of the Hindu Marriage Act). Contested divorce can take 2 to 5 years depending on the complexity and court backlog.
Can I get maintenance without divorce in India?
Yes. Under Section 125 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, a wife can claim maintenance from her husband without filing for divorce, if she is unable to maintain herself. The amount is decided by the magistrate based on the husband income.
What are the grounds for divorce in India?
Grounds for divorce include cruelty, adultery, desertion for 2+ years, conversion to another religion, mental disorder, communicable disease, and mutual consent. Different personal laws may have additional grounds.