A Step-by-Step Guide to Filing Divorce in Chennai

Family Law
Filing Divorce in Chennai

Navigating the divorce process in Chennai can be a difficult and complicated task. With this comprehensive guide, you will have all the information you need to know to petition for divorce and go through court proceedings quickly and easily. 
 

Understanding Grounds for Divorce in Chennai

One of the most important steps when filing for a divorce in Chennai is understanding the grounds for divorce. According to Indian laws, there are three main grounds for divorce in Chennai – cruelty, desertion and adultery. The court will determine the validity of your case based on evidence of these grounds and will make the decision accordingly. 
 
Firstly, the court will look at any evidence of cruelty- physical or mental- that was endured by either spouse. This can range from domestic abuse to unjust verbal harassment and can be dealt with a variety of legal repercussions. Additionally, if a spouse has been deserted by their partner for more than one year without his/her consent or without reasonable cause, then the desertion itself may be considered as grounds for divorce. Lastly, adultery is also recognised as someone who has committed an act of infidelity within the marriage regulations. The court will evaluate whether or not there was intention to engage in that act and what type of evidence this involves. It is important to note that all three points must be taken into consideration when filing for divorce in Chennai  and each divorce case should be handled individually depending on its unique nature. 
 

Filing Petition for Divorce in the Court of Chennai

Once you have a valid ground for divorce, you’ll be required to file a formal petition with the court. This petition must include crucial details such as your name, spouse’s name, address of both parties, age at the time of marriage and birthdates of your children (if any). You’ll also need to provide information about whether these facts are contested or not. After the petition is accepted by the court, it will assign a ‘petitioning number’ to track future proceedings. 
 
After submitting the petition in the court, you must then serve notice of the divorce proceedings to your partner. The process for serving the notice depends on whether your partner has been living in Chennai or outside. Regardless of where your partner is located, it’s important to ensure that you have served an appropriate notice to your spouse. 
 
After the notice has been served, you can then prepare the official paperwork and documents to be presented in court. This paperwork will include affidavits and facts of evidence related to your marriage, its breakdown, and your wife’s address. The court will review this information and analyze if your grounds for divorce are valid or not. After confirmation from both parties, a final order is passed by the judge which officially divorces both partners. If children are involved, arrangements for their custody or visitation rights must be included in the divorce order. 
 

What to Consider when Choosing a Divorce Lawyer in Chennai? 

Choosing an experienced lawyer is paramount when filing for a divorce in Chennai. Do your research to decide if the lawyer matches your requirements and fits within your budget. Make sure to ask them about their experience in handling cases similar to yours, and be aware of any court-related fees that you’ll have to pay as part of the process. Additionally, it’s important to gauge the comfort level with the lawyer and how well they communicate with you and understand your case before hiring them. 
 
When selecting a lawyer to represent you in a divorce case in Chennai, there are several factors that you should consider. First and foremost, experience is key. Make sure that the attorney has substantial experience in handling complex divorce cases and possesses an average success rate. In addition, it’s important to determine if the attorney is considerate of your emotional and financial stability throughout the entire process. Both fresh and experienced lawyers need to be certified by the Bar Association before they can practice family law or any other field of law. Lastly, check if your lawyer’s office is close enough for frequent consultations as well as presence at court hearings. All such factors will ensure that your legal representation is comprehensive, effective and reliable too! 
 

Personal Appearance before the Family Court in Chennai

After all the paperwork for your divorce is complete, the final step requires both spouses to appear before the Family Court in Chennai. If both parties are present, the judge can arrive to a verdict on the same day. In some cases, if only one spouse shows up in court, an ex-parte decree is issued – this means that the court has considered only one side of the case and come to a conclusion based on that. It’s best to have both parties present in court before a decision is made as it ensures all grounds are heard with full consideration. 

When attending court for the divorce hearing, both parties must provide all necessary documentation and proof for all claims to back their case. This generally includes marriage certificates, recent tax returns, bank statements etc. Three counsels are required to be present on behalf of both the spouse, who will voice their respective demands in the hearing. After arguments have been made for both parties and all necessary conclusive evidence has been presented, the court will decide on a verdict. The period between filing for a divorce and getting an official decree can take anywhere from a few weeks to months depending upon complexity of the case and court proceedings. 

The Procedure of Subsequent Hearings and Judgment Pass by The Family Court in Chennai

After the initial hearing, subsequent hearings are scheduled to collect more evidence or clarify any doubts that the judge may have. At this point, both sides will present their reasons for why the divorce should be granted. The court then uses this information to arrive at a judgment. Depending on the type of divorce case and its complexities, multiple rounds of hearing may take place before the final ruling is given. If during this process, both parties come to a compromise, they can file an agreement in court and avoid further proceedings.

Once the final judgment has been passed, both parties must abide by the ruling or face legal repercussions. In some cases, ex-spouses may have to provide financial support for their former partners or contribute to the upkeep and welfare of their children. This can also include matters such as residency and custody rights of minor children. To ensure that all court orders are followed, it is important for both sides to be familiar with the laws of Chennai and India related to divorce proceedings. 

Legal Disclaimer: The information contained in this blog post is for general information and educational purposes only. Nothing contained in this blog post should be construed as legal advice from The Aran Law Firm or the individual author, nor is it intended to be a substitute for legal counsel on any subject matter.

Tags :

Share This:

Legal Updates