The Latest Breaking News from the Family Court

Wife pressuring husband to leave parents and live separately in rented house amounts to cruelty, rules Madras HC and upholds divorce on this ground

Husband with Rs 45,000 salary started living in rented house because of wife’s pressure to live separately from his parents; Madras HC says this is cruelty and upholds divorce. Justice P.T. Asha and Justice N. Mala of the Madras High Court heard this case.

The Economic Times · Sep 23

Husband challenges Rs 2 crore alimony order to his doctor wife, wins; Karnataka HC brought down divorce settlement to Rs 50 lakh explaining 'alimony is not meant to equalise assets'

A Mangaluru doctor's divorce, granted on the ground of cruelty after her husband admitted in WhatsApp messages to hitting her, has been upheld by the Karnataka High Court. While confirming the cruelty finding, the court reduced the wife's permanent alimony from Rs 2 crore to Rs 50 lakh, holding that…

The Economic Times · Sep 16

‘Hindu marriage no longer an indissoluble sacrament but a contractual agreement’: Andhra Pradesh HC waives 6-month waiting period for couple seeking mutual divorce

Andhra Pradesh High Court has dissolved a marriage solemnised in 1972 between a couple who have lived separately since 1978, waiving the mandatory six-month cooling off period under the Hindu Marriage Act. The court observed that Hindu marriage has shifted from being an indissoluble sacrament to a contractual agreement, and…

The Economic Times · Aug 18

Wife’s MBA degree or past employment with MNCs can’t stop her from demanding maintenance, rules HC

An Allahabad High Court ruling states a wife's education or earning potential does not disqualify her from maintenance. The court considered a case where a husband argued his wife's MBA and past jobs meant she could earn. The court emphasized her current inability to maintain herself and the husband's financial…

The Economic Times · May 24

Family court's 50 year legacy of reform and resilience

Fifty years on, the Family Court's legacy spans landmark rulings, social change and tragedy, while supporting millions of families through their darkest times.

AAP · Feb 20

Tom Phillips inquiry: one family’s tragedy now a chance to reform NZ’s child protection system

Yesterday’s announcement of a public inquiry into the handling of the Tom Phillips case was inevitable. When children go missing for years, the public has a right to understand whether the agencies responsible acted with the necessary urgency and coordination.

The Conversation · Nov 27, 2025

Mother whose sons were killed by their father says law change will save lives

A law which guides the Family Court to presume that contact with both parents is usually in the best interests of a child is to be repealed.

The Independent UK · Oct 21, 2025

Domestic abuse commissioner criticises antiquated views in family court hearings

Research found evidence of abuse within 73% of hearings and in 87% of the case files they reviewed.

The Independent UK · Oct 13, 2025

Recovery of maintenance arrears: HC orders creating a charge on immovable property of husband

High Court of Karnataka orders creation of charge on properties for maintenance arrears, increases monthly maintenance for wife and disabled son.

The Hindu · May 17, 2024

Recording of phone conversations violates privacy rights: Chhattisgarh high court

RAIPUR: Setting aside a family court order, the Chhattisgarh High Court has held that recording a telephonic conversation without the knowledge and permission of the person concerned is a violation of the right to privacy under Article 21 of the Constitution.

The Times of India · Oct 15, 2023