Rights of divorced women in India

Divorce can be a difficult and emotional process for anyone. Still, for women in India, the added complexity of navigating a legal system that is often not in their favour can make it even more challenging. However, it is essential for women to understand their rights during this process, as doing so can help them to assert their rights and obtain the best possible outcome. In this blog post, we will discuss the rights of divorced women in India, focusing on the following aspects:

• Rights to Alimony and Maintenance: Ensuring financial support is essential for women during and after divorce.
  

• Rights to Child Custody: Empowering women to actively shape their children's lives, prioritizing their well-being post-divorce.

• Rights on Property: Empowering women with an equal share of marital assets.

• Rights of Streedhan: Upholding women's financial autonomy, safeguarding pre-marital or gifted assets for economic empowerment.

We will also provide information on legal resources and support available to divorced women. By the end of this post, you will better understand your rights as a divorced woman and how to assert them. The following are the rights granted:

Rights to Alimony and Maintenance:

In India, husbands commonly provide alimony to their wives during and after divorce, covering child education and welfare. Alimony isn't guaranteed but awarded based on case-specific factors. Typically granted to wives without a work history or skills, it continues until remarriage or death.

• A divorced Hindu woman is entitled to maintenance under section 24 of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 until she remarries or starts living with another man.
  
• In Islamic law, a woman is entitled to mehr (dower), and she can claim maintenance during and after the divorce through the concept of "iddat." (
  
• A Christian woman can claim maintenance as part of divorce proceedings Under Indian Divorce Act, 1869, governs Christian marriages.

In India, there's no fixed formula for alimony calculation. It can be either monthly payments or a lump-sum amount. The court determines alimony based on the respondent's income and property. After an order is made, it can be modified or revoked if circumstances change, like remarriage or unchaste behavior.

Guardianship and Custody

Usually, child custody rights are granted to the mother when the child is below 5 years keeping in mind the emotional attachment a child has with their mother, it is considered essential for their growth and well-being.

You might be interested in: Child Custody in India : Types, Laws governing child custody

As a matter of Hindu tradition, the father is the natural guardian and ultimately has custody rights. In accordance with Section 6 of the Hindu Minority and Guardianship Act, 1956, the father is responsible for the custody of children above the age of 5 and below the age of 18. In a recent case, the Supreme Court ruled that a mother can claim custody only if the father has died or absented himself from the proceedings. However, this rule is not applicable if the child is illegitimate and in those cases, custody is given to the mother only.

Rights on property

In India, divorced women have the right to share the property acquired during the marriage. It's important to note that property laws may vary depending on the state or region, and the specific rules of the state or region should be consulted.

When Property is in the name of the husband

In the event of a mutual divorce between a couple, if the Property is in the name of the husband, the wife has no legal claim. However, if the wife can prove that she has contributed to buying that Property through bank statements or any other valid proof, she can have a claim over the Property.

When the Property is jointly owned

Nowadays, we witness many situations where the husband and wife jointly own the Property for various reasons like financial advantages, tax savings, etc. In this case, when the wife owns the Property jointly with her husband, the law allows her to claim division or title over it. Mostly, the claim depends on the amount contributed by the wife. The burden of proof lies on the wife to prove the extent of the contribution she gave to the Property, whether it is in the name of the couple jointly or the husband solely.

When the couple is separated but not divorced

As per the law, until the divorce between the husband and wife is not officialized, the wife and the children have all legal rights over the Property of the husband.

Rights of residence

Post-divorce, the woman should be allowed to live in a separate residence during this time period. There must be a right to a separate residence for the spouse even in cases of separation or desertion. According to Section 18(2) of the Hindu Adoption and Maintenance Act, 1956, a wife may be granted a separate residence based on certain grounds.

During her husband's lifetime, a Hindu wife has a statutory right to live separately without forfeiting her claim to maintenance. In order to qualify, she must meet one of the seven grounds listed under the section and must not cease to be a Hindu chaste.​​​​​​​

Rights of Streedhan

Streedhan is movable property over which the wife has all claims including but not limited to jewelry, cash, cards, etc. All the gifts and jewelry given to a wife during the time of her marriage constitute to be Streedhan and post-divorce also, the wife has full claim over it. However, if the husband has contributed to it, he can claim it in court after the divorce.

In conclusion, the rights of divorced women in India have witnessed significant improvements over the years, as the legal system has recognized the importance of ensuring their welfare and empowerment.

If you are a divorced woman seeking clarity or assistance with legal matters, consulting with a knowledgeable lawyer specializing in family law is highly recommended.

Sources:

https://lc2.du.ac.in/DATA/WomensrighttoGuardianshipandCustody.pdf

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/can-women-seek-right-residence-husband-in-laws-property-pandey-

https://ijirl.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/STREEDHAN-AND-WOMENS-RIGHT-TO-PROPERTY.pdf

About The Author:

Adv. Shreya Srivastava has been practicing at the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India and other forums in Delhi NCR. She has an experience of over 5 years in active litigation. As a young professional, she thoroughly enjoys exploring the diverse fields of law and throughout her career, she has challenged herself to appear and assist in a wide range of cases, including matters relating to Copyright Law, Service Law, Labour Law, Property Law, Arbitration, Environmental Law and Criminal Law with equal zeal and curiosity. Her academic journey and professional experiences have inculcated a solid foundation of legal principles but also the ability to quickly work out the requirements of each case. She is capable of multitasking and effectively communicating with clients. She strongly believes that apart from her strong work ethic, her patience and ability to thoroughly read and understand lengthy documents is her strength which sets her apart.