How to send a divorce notice?

Being a secular nation, India gets a lot of its legislation from many religious traditions. Indian divorce law is one such field of law. In India, either party may file for divorce through the appropriate legal process according to their respective state's laws. However, sending a legal letter is always the first step in the divorce procedure.

Either spouse may notify the other spouse in writing of their intention to begin divorce procedures. A legal notice is a formal way for one party to communicate with the other, serving as a warning and, if possible, opening the door for the final attempt at conciliation.

What is a legal notice of divorce?

A divorce notice is a legal document that one spouse sends to the other to initiate divorce proceedings. It is a formal notice that indicates the intention of one spouse to end the marriage and begin the divorce process. The divorce notice typically contains important information such as the grounds for divorce, the desired outcome, and any requests for property division, spousal support, and child custody After Divorce.

The divorce notice can be served in several ways depending on the jurisdiction laws in which the divorce is being filed. Sometimes, the notice may be served by a process server or sheriff, while in other cases, it may be sent by certified mail or email.

It's important to note that the divorce notice is just the first step in the divorce process and that there may be additional legal requirements that must be met before the divorce can be finalized. These requirements may vary depending on the jurisdiction's laws and the divorce's specific circumstances.

Types of divorce notices in India and when are they used?

Mutual Consent Divorce Notice: 

This notice is issued by both parties when they agree to end their marriage mutually. This type of notice is filed under Section 13-B of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955, and is used when both parties have agreed to the divorce terms, such as child custody, alimony, and property division after Divorce.

Contested Divorce Notice: 

This notice is issued when one spouse initiates the divorce proceedings without the other spouse's consent. This type of notice is filed under Section 13 of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955, and is used when one spouse wants to end the marriage but the other spouse is not willing to cooperate or agree to the divorce terms.

Legal requirements for a divorce notice

The legal requirements for a divorce notice may vary depending on the jurisdiction in which the divorce is being filed. Still, some standard requirements are usually necessary for a valid divorce notice. Here are some of the legal requirements for a divorce notice:

1. The notice must be in writing: A divorce notice must be in writing and clearly state one spouse's intention to end the marriage.
2. Grounds for divorce: The notice should state the grounds for divorce, which may include factors such as adultery, cruelty, desertion, or irreconcilable differences depending on the laws of the jurisdiction. Know more about 9 Grounds of Divorce in India.
3. The desired outcome of the divorce: The notice should state the desired outcome of the divorce, including requests for property division, spousal support, and child custody.
4. Compliance with any waiting periods: Some jurisdictions require a waiting period before a divorce can be finalized. The notice should comply with any such waiting periods.

Important elements in Divorce notice and why it is included

Here are some important elements of a divorce notice and why they are included:

1. Identification of parties: It is essential to identify both parties involved in the divorce in the notice to avoid confusion and ensure that the right person receives the notice.
2. Grounds for divorce: The notice should state the grounds for divorce, such as cruelty, adultery, desertion, or irreconcilable differences. This is necessary to initiate divorce proceedings in India, as each ground has its specific legal requirements.
3. Demand for amicable settlement: In certain types of divorce cases, such as mutual consent divorce procedure, a notice is required to make a demand for an amicable settlement of the divorce within a specified time frame. This is important to demonstrate that both parties have made an effort to resolve their differences and are willing to end the marriage on amicable terms.
4. Consequences of non-compliance: The notice should inform the other spouse of the consequences of non-compliance, such as the initiation of divorce proceedings, costs, damages, and other reliefs. This is necessary to ensure that both parties are aware of the possible outcomes of the divorce and the legal implications of non-compliance.
5. The enclosure of copy of notice: The notice should include a copy of the notice itself as an enclosure. This is important for record-keeping and as proof of service, which is required to show that the other spouse has received the notice.

Procedure to send a legal notice for Divorce

An official divorce notice is a communication from one party to the other before legal action is taken, informing the recipient of the grievance.

It has been observed that in many instances, a properly served notice makes the opposing party aware of the aggrieved party's complaint and opens up the possibility of an out-of-court settlement through negotiation and understanding on both sides. However, if the other person in such a situation decides to end the marriage, he or she may also decide to respond to the legal notice for divorce.

The procedure for delivering a divorce legal notice is clear-cut. The procedure is as follows:

Step I. Get a lawyer:

The first step is to get in touch with a lawyer who is proficient in divorce law and has outstanding writing skills.

• A legal notice describing the facts and problems that are upsetting the couple seeking a divorce must then be drafted with the assistance of the attorney.
• Ensure that the person against whom the party wishes to file for divorce is the one who receives the legal notification.
• The legal notice must be written in English or another language that both parties to the divorce may understand and speak.

Step II. Inform the Lawyer:

One should be sure to fully disclose all pertinent facts, including the following while speaking with a lawyer.

• The names of the divorcing parties.
• Addresses for each party.
• Dates on which any obligations were made but not kept, upset the marriage.
• Challenges and difficulties encountered in the marriage.
• Any prior efforts at resolution.

Step III. Drafting case notes:

After the parties to the divorce have disclosed all pertinent information to the attorney, the attorney is expected to thoroughly review the information provided and make pertinent notes about the case based on the client interaction. If more information is needed to complete the drafting of the aforementioned notification, he or she may ask you for it.

Step IV. Creation of legal notice:

The attorney then creates the legal notice using the standard templates required by law, and any such notice must include the following:

• The justifications for sending the notice.
• All previous discussions and communications addressing the reason for the notice.
• A practical window of time for the addressee or the other party (usually 15-30 days to settle the matter through negotiation and by performing the desired action of the client). Depending on the issue, the attorneys typically place emphasis on the requirement for action to be made within the allotted time to either satisfy the demand or obtain a response to the legal notice. 

Step V. Sending the notice:

The attorney who wrote the legal notice must properly sign it. It is subsequently delivered to the appropriate party through registered mail, express delivery, or courier, and the acknowledgment is saved. Additionally, the lawyer in question keeps a copy of the aforementioned notice.

Step VI. Respond to the notice:

The recipient of the legal notice is required to respond to it within the time frame specified in the notice. However, if the recipient of the legal notice does not respond, the sending party may take the relevant action outlined in the legal notice.

On the other hand, if the other party replies to the legal notice, the aggrieved party has the option of settling the dispute or filing for divorce if they decide they wish to end their marriage as a result of the arguments made by the other party in the reply to the legal notice.

How to draft a legal notice for divorce?

The legal notice must be written on the advocate's letterhead and must include pertinent case information. It should include all of the contact information for the person on whose behalf and in accordance with whose instructions the legal notice was written, including name, contact information, address, and phone number. The advocate's address and phone number must be included in the notice. The advocate must sign it, and the date of signature must be noted.

Along with the time limit, the notice must also provide precise instructions for the opposing party. Details about how the opposing party's act or omission violated the aggrieved party's rights and the remedy available should be included.

What must be stated in a divorce notice?

The following must be included in the legal notice:

• Name, details, and address of the notice's sender.
• Information on the cause of the action.
• The relief requested by the notice's sender.
• The explanation of the legal justification for the relief requested.

Divorce Notice Format

RESIDENCE CUM OFFICE
Name of Advocate
Seat No.___, _________

Ref No.________ Dated ____________
LEGAL NOTICE
To, Mr/Mrs._______ 
(Spouse Name & Address)
Dear Sir/Madam, 
Under the instructions & information received from my client Mrs. ________________ presently residing at ________________ I hereby address you with the following notice, the contents of which are set forth herein under:
That you were married to my client about _____ years ago at ____, according to Hindu rites and ceremonies in the presence of friends, relatives and family members of both the parties.
That after the marriage you and my client were together as husband and wife and cohabited with each other at ___________ and out of the said wedlock of my said client and you one son named _____ aged __ years, _____ daughter aged __ years were born.
(Cause of divorce)
I, therefore, call upon you through this legal notice to implement the Divorce Deed and papers etc. dissolving this marriage immediately within a period of (no. of days) from the date of receipt of this legal notice, failing to which my client shall be obliged to file appropriate proceedings against you in the court of law and in that event you shall be responsible for all costs, risks and responsibilities which you please note well.

A copy of this legal notice is retained in my office for record and further necessary action.

____________, Advocate, _________.

Download Format of Divorce Notice from here

What happens after a divorce legal notice is sent?

Once the divorce notification has been delivered, either party may take necessary action in accordance with the laws that apply to the parties. Depending on the specifics of the case, the parties may choose to resolve the issue amicably or may choose to proceed with the divorce by filing a divorce petition.

As was already said, despite being a secular nation, India draws a significant portion of its legal system from religious traditions, including its divorce rules. The legislature has created various laws to modernize the divorce process in India with regard to gender affairs and related issues as time and societal awareness have advanced the country. India –

Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 governs divorce among Hindus, Buddhists, Sikhs, and Jains; the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Act, 2019 governs divorce among Muslims; Parsi Marriage and Divorce Act, 1936 governs divorce among Christians; Indian Divorce Act, 1869 governs divorce among Christians; and Special Marriage Act, 1956 governs all civil and intercommunity marriages.

The Foreign Marriage Act of 1969 governs marriages that take place between Indian citizens and foreign nationals. Therefore, one can petition for divorce and separate from their spouse in accordance with the legal process.

Consequences of not following proper procedures for a divorce notice

1. Delay in divorce proceedings: If a notice is not drafted correctly or served to the other spouse properly, it can delay the divorce proceedings. This can lead to unnecessary expenses, emotional distress, and prolonged legal battles.
2. Invalid notice: If a notice is not prepared according to the legal requirements or is not served to the other spouse as per the prescribed method, it can be deemed invalid. An invalid notice can delay or even invalidate the divorce proceedings.
3. Court intervention: If the notice is not prepared or served correctly, the court may intervene and reject the divorce petition. This can lead to additional legal fees, wasted time, and further emotional distress.
4. Financial consequences: Failure to follow proper procedures for a divorce notice can also have financial consequences. The court may impose penalties or costs on the party who failed to comply with the proper procedures.
5. Impact on the divorce settlement: The outcome of the divorce settlement can be affected if the notice is not served properly. This can impact property division, alimony, and child custody decisions.

In summary, it is crucial to follow proper procedures for a divorce notice to ensure a smooth and timely divorce process. Failure to comply with the legal requirements can lead to significant delays, legal expenses, and potential negative outcomes in the divorce settlement.

Conclusion

The procedure for sending legal notice for divorce is the same for everyone, but the grounds of the divorce depend on religion. The entire experience of divorce is stressful. One way to reduce that hassle is to hire a Divorce lawyer to finalize it. While the lawyer will need to speak with you to obtain information for the case, he or she will also handle all the paperwork, giving you more time to look after yourself and your family.

A lawyer with years of experience can provide you with expert guidance on how to handle your divorce. You can get in touch with an expert divorce lawyer in your area at Rest The Case.

FAQs

What to do if you receive a divorce legal notice?

If you have already received the divorce notice, you must report to the court where you are required to appear, retain legal representation for your case, and then file objections to all of the claims made by your spouse in the divorce petition.

What happens if I reject a divorce notice?

To inform the other party of the decision to dissolve the marriage, a divorce notice is delivered to either the wife or the husband. Another responsibility is to decide whether to pursue conciliation or mutual consent divorce. Therefore, the outcome of the divorce notice rejection in India might not change.

What happens if I don’t respond to legal notice for divorce?

A time within which the receiving party must revert is stated in the divorce notice delivered to the husband or wife. The standard type of legal notification for divorce also includes the repercussions of your decision to keep silent. Generally speaking, such silence could prompt the spouse to seek a contested divorce that takes years to solve.

Can we withdraw the divorce notice?

Divorce can indeed be withdrawn with the court's permission. An application for withdrawal must be submitted to the judge. If and when the circumstances warrant it, one may withdraw a divorce petition and reapply at a later time. Re-filing for divorce is not prohibited. Marriage must be declared void by the court; it cannot be void on its own. You can demonstrate the spouse's desertion.

Can we send a divorce notice without a lawyer?

You can commence a divorce without a lawyer if none is suitable to handle your case or in any other circumstance. The entire court procedure must be followed by you on your own.

Why is legal notice mandatory in divorce?

The legal notice is a formal message issued from one party to the other, therefore giving them advance notice before pursuing legal action would be wise. As a result, when a legal divorce notice in India is delivered, it informs the recipient of the parties' intentions ahead of the start of legal procedures and alerts them to their grievance. 

When should you get counseling or mediation?

Taking divorce is a time-consuming process and it ends up disturbing the mental peace of both families. If the reason for seeking a divorce is not as major as mentioned in divorce mediation in India, the couples can mutually demand a divorce mediation. It is the cheapest and most reliable way to solve marriage disputes that can be saved instead of a divorce.

About The Author:

Adv. Sumit Soni is a first generation lawyer renowned for his stellar success rate in over 200 cases, achieving above 90% favorable outcomes. Passionate about his work, he prioritizes quality over quantity, ensuring ample personalized attention for each client. He likes to practice artistically, wherein he believes in providing custom and tailored service to the clients, which takes creativity along with intellect. Specializing in criminal, civil, and matrimonial matters, he primarily practices at the Supreme Court. He also practices in the High Court and all District Courts in Delhi. He is also a member of the Supreme Court Bar Association.
Beyond law, Sumit is a BJP spokesperson and President of the International Human Rights Council, Delhi State Board, embodying his commitment to justice and societal change. With his blend of legal expertise and advocacy, he stands as a beacon of excellence in the legal fraternity.