What brings you here?
Select the concern closest to your circumstances. The right approach depends on your marriage, location, documents and objectives—not just where you currently live.
Divorce jurisdiction
Understand the legal questions and practical considerations →
02 / EXPLOREForeign court proceedings
Understand the legal questions and practical considerations →
03 / EXPLOREMutual-consent divorce
Understand the legal questions and practical considerations →
04 / EXPLOREContested divorce
Understand the legal questions and practical considerations →
05 / EXPLORERemote participation
Understand the legal questions and practical considerations →
06 / EXPLOREChildren and finances
Understand the legal questions and practical considerations →
The law depends on the marriage—not an assumption about religion.
We welcome enquiries concerning Hindu, Buddhist, Jain, Sikh, Muslim, Christian and Parsi marriages, as well as interfaith, civil and overseas marriages. The applicable law must be identified from the circumstances of the marriage and the relief sought.
Personal laws
Hindu Marriage Act; applicable Muslim personal law and statutes; Indian Divorce Act; Parsi Marriage and Divorce Act.
Civil & overseas marriages
Special Marriage Act and, where applicable, Foreign Marriage Act, alongside questions of jurisdiction and recognition.
These are illustrative legal frameworks, not a determination of the law applicable to any individual case.
Where can an NRI file for divorce?
Jurisdiction cannot be assumed simply because one spouse lives abroad or the marriage took place in India. The governing marriage law, the place of solemnisation, the parties’ residence, and the relevant statutory grounds for approaching a particular court must be examined. For marriages governed by the Hindu Marriage Act, section 19 sets out particular jurisdictional connections; other matrimonial statutes have their own rules.
Pune and PCMC connections may be relevant to the competent Family Court, but jurisdiction depends on the applicable statute and facts. Appeals or other challenges before the Bombay High Court are distinct proceedings; maintainability, limitation, forum and the nature of the order must be examined separately, including section 19 of the Family Courts Act where applicable.
A divorce abroad may not settle matters in India
A foreign court’s decree is not automatically conclusive for every purpose in India. The grounds of divorce, jurisdiction of the foreign court, notice, participation, consent and the manner in which the judgment was obtained may matter. Section 13 of the Code of Civil Procedure and the principles discussed in Y. Narasimha Rao v. Y. Venkata Lakshmi are important starting points, subject to the specific facts.
Before acting on a foreign decree, examine what it determines and whether recognition could be contested.
Mutual consent when spouses live in different countries
A mutual-consent divorce requires the relevant statutory conditions, genuine continuing consent and an appropriate settlement of outstanding issues. For cases under section 13B of the Hindu Marriage Act, waiver of the statutory waiting period may be considered by the court in qualifying circumstances; it is not automatic. Procedures differ under other marriage laws.
Travel, filing, verification, hearing attendance and settlement documentation should be planned case by case.
When the other spouse does not agree
Contested matrimonial proceedings may involve questions of statutory grounds, service outside India, evidence, interim relief and parallel foreign proceedings. A spouse’s refusal to cooperate does not remove procedural requirements or guarantee any particular outcome.
Early legal assessment helps identify the forum, available relief and immediate deadlines.
Can proceedings be managed from overseas?
Depending on the court, applicable rules, case stage and judicial directions, some interactions may take place by video conference or through authorised representatives. A power of attorney does not automatically replace personal participation wherever the law or court requires it.
Remote participation depends on applicable rules and judicial directions. The scope of any professional assistance, including representation, is agreed separately with the relevant legal professional.
Children, support and financial arrangements
Cross-border family disputes may raise questions about children’s welfare, custody and access, maintenance, property, financial disclosure and enforcement. These issues do not necessarily follow automatically from a divorce decree and may engage separate legal tests or proceedings.
Where children or assets span jurisdictions, careful coordination is particularly important.
A few details help us understand the whole picture.
Useful starting information may include the date and place of marriage, the legal form of marriage, each spouse’s current residence, any proceedings or orders in India or abroad, and the outcome you are seeking.
Where relevant, documents may include a marriage certificate, court papers, foreign judgments, correspondence and details of children or financial arrangements. You need not have every document ready before making an initial enquiry.
Please avoid sending sensitive documents through unsecured channels unless requested and an appropriate method has been agreed.
Start with a confidential conversation.
₹2,200
Every cross-border family matter has its own circumstances. The first step is a focused discussion to understand your situation, identify relevant legal questions, consider possible options and explain the next steps.
Online payment is available through Razorpay. Appointment scheduling remains manual and subject to availability; payment alone does not reserve or confirm a time slot.
Pay ₹2,200 (appointment arranged separately) →The ₹2,200 fee covers an initial 30-minute consultation, not representation or subsequent professional work. The team will verify payment and agree an available appointment time separately. Before paying, please read the published refund policy at https://sheandhelaw.com/refund_policy/ and contact office@sheandhelaw.com or +91 8793660616 for clarification on cancellations, rescheduling and appointments that cannot be arranged. The policy must be read alongside applicable law. Further reading: How the platform works, Pune divorce matters, Mutual-consent divorce in Pune, and Bombay High Court family-law matters. Any further engagement is considered separately.
NRI divorce questions: Pune, PCMC and overseas families.
Is this service only for Hindu marriages?
No. Enquiries are welcome across religions and communities, including Muslim, Christian, Parsi, interfaith and civil marriages. The applicable law depends on the marriage and circumstances.
Will a foreign divorce automatically be recognised in India?
Not necessarily. Recognition requires a fact-specific legal assessment, including the foreign court's jurisdiction, grounds and procedure.
Can I obtain an Indian divorce without travelling?
Some stages may be handled remotely if permitted by the relevant court and procedure. Personal attendance cannot be ruled out in advance.
Can the waiting period for mutual consent be waived?
In qualifying Hindu Marriage Act cases, a court may consider waiver under the applicable legal principles. It is discretionary, not guaranteed; other statutes differ.
What happens during the ₹2,200 consultation?
The consultation focuses on understanding your circumstances, identifying legal questions, discussing possible options and explaining next steps. Further legal assistance can be considered separately.
How long does an NRI divorce take?
There is no universal timeline. Consent, jurisdiction, service, evidence, related proceedings and court scheduling may all affect duration.