Whether you are planning a mutual consent divorce, facing a contested proceeding, dealing with custody and maintenance, or need urgent protection under the Domestic Violence Act — I handle family matters across Kerala's Family Courts and the High Court.
Filing under Section 13B of the Hindu Marriage Act (or Section 28 SMA / Section 10A Divorce Act for other marriages). Drafting settlement terms covering maintenance, custody, property, gold, and school/medical decisions — so nothing is left unresolved after the decree.
When mutual consent is not possible — filing or defending on grounds of cruelty, desertion, adultery, or other statutory grounds. Building the evidence file, managing interim applications, and planning for the longer timeline (3–7 years typical).
Custody applications based on the child's welfare, school continuity, and caregiving proof. Maintenance claims under BNSS Section 144 (replacing CrPC Section 125) with income documentation, expense breakdowns, and interim support applications.
Filing applications under the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act for protection orders (Section 18), residence orders (Section 19), monetary relief, temporary custody, and compensation. Ex parte relief is available in urgent cases — the first hearing must happen within 3 days.
Family matters range from "I need to understand my options" to "I need a protection order filed today." Here is how each level works.
If settlement feels possible but you need to understand the terms, timelines, and jurisdiction before filing — a consultation maps the realistic options.
When the issue involves custody, maintenance claims, domestic violence, or urgent protection needs — the legal response needs to be faster and more structured than a standard divorce filing.
When spouses live in different countries, the first question is jurisdiction: where should the case be filed, and how much can be done remotely?
You need to understand your options on divorce route, jurisdiction, custody, maintenance, or DV protection before anyone files anything.
The route is decided and specific documents need to be prepared — settlement terms, maintenance calculations, custody arrangements, or petition drafting.
The matter needs ongoing Family Court hearings, cross-examination, interim applications, or appellate work.
Determine whether mutual consent is viable, which court has jurisdiction, and what documents need to be gathered before filing.
Mutual consent terms need agreement on all points before filing. Contested petitions need evidence organisation and interim application strategy.
Mutual consent requires a 6-month cooling period after the first motion. Contested divorce moves through trial with evidence, arguments, and potentially interim orders.
Find out whether your divorce should be filed in India or abroad based on where the marriage happened and where each spouse lives.
Check jurisdiction →Complete guide to mutual consent divorce under the Hindu Marriage Act — timeline, documents, and what to settle before filing.
Read the divorce guide →Guides on divorce, custody, maintenance, domestic violence, and cross-border family matters in Kerala.
Browse family-law guides →Remote Kerala legal support for NRIs and OCI card holders managing property, family, inheritance, and civil matters from abroad.
Explore NRI legal services →Book a structured online consultation for Kerala legal matters from India or abroad.
Book an online consultation →Consultation fees are fixed and shown on the booking page before payment. The initial consultation covers divorce strategy, custody assessment, maintenance planning, or DV Act advice. Petition drafting and court representation are quoted after the route (mutual vs contested) is clear.
Under Section 13B of the Hindu Marriage Act, mutual consent divorce requires a minimum 6-month cooling period after the first motion. The total process typically takes 6–18 months depending on court scheduling and whether all settlement terms (custody, maintenance, property, gold) are agreed upfront.
The first motion usually requires presence, but video conferencing is increasingly available in Kerala Family Courts. The consultation, settlement negotiation, and document preparation can all happen remotely. For contested divorce, the respondent's presence at specific hearings may be needed.
Under the PWDVA 2005, you can get protection orders (Section 18), residence orders (Section 19), monetary relief (Section 20), temporary custody (Section 21), and compensation (Section 22). Ex parte orders are available in urgent cases under Section 23. The first hearing must happen within 3 days of filing.
Book a consultation to get a legal assessment based on your facts — not general advice. Whether you are in Kerala or abroad, I will help you understand the route, timeline, and what needs to happen first.