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 file for nullity of my marriage in Madurai if it was never valid?
How do I file for nullity of my marriage in Coimbatore if it was never valid?
How do I file for nullity of my marriage in Chennai if it was never valid?
How do I file for nullity of my marriage in Darjeeling if it was never valid?
How do I file for nullity of my marriage in Kharagpur if it was never valid?
How do I file for nullity of my marriage in Siliguri if it was never valid?
How do I file for nullity of my marriage in Asansol if it was never valid?
How do I file for nullity of my marriage in Durgapur if it was never valid?
How do I file for nullity of my marriage in Howrah if it was never valid?
How do I file for nullity of my marriage in Kolkata if it was never valid?
How do I file for nullity of my marriage in Tumkur if it was never valid?
How do I file for nullity of my marriage in Davangere if it was never valid?
How do I file for nullity of my marriage in Gulbarga if it was never valid?
How do I file for nullity of my marriage in Belgaum if it was never valid?
How do I file for nullity of my marriage in Hubli if it was never valid?
How do I file for nullity of my marriage in Mangalore if it was never valid?
How do I file for nullity of my marriage in Mysuru if it was never valid?
How do I file for nullity of my marriage in Mysore if it was never valid?
How do I file for nullity of my marriage in Bengaluru if it was never valid?
How do I file for nullity of my marriage in Bangalore if it was never valid?
How do I file for nullity of my marriage in Saket if it was never valid?
How do I file for nullity of my marriage in Rohini if it was never valid?
How do I file for nullity of my marriage in Dwarka if it was never valid?
How do I file for nullity of my marriage in New Delhi if it was never valid?
How do I file for nullity of my marriage in Delhi if it was never valid?
How do I file for nullity of my marriage in Amravati if it was never valid?
How do I file for nullity of my marriage in Kolhapur if it was never valid?
How do I file for nullity of my marriage in Solapur if it was never valid?
How do I file for nullity of my marriage in Aurangabad if it was never valid?
How do I file for nullity of my marriage in Navi Mumbai if it was never valid?
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.