Why Divorce? Just Stay Separated

Blissful marital life is a sheer result of unconditional love, faith, belief, passion, and determination between couples who ensure to stay together in every phase of life. But things turn out ugly when both the spouse’s experience lack of interest, mistrust, misunderstandings, differences, etc. amongst one another. Unfortunately, this results in the couple filing for Divorce. But the eyes of the law believe in allowing couples in the form of Judicial Separation. Unlike a divorce, a legal separation does not end your marriage. Couples decide to legally separate instead of divorce for many reasons. The most common reason is they are unsure if they want to get divorced. It is important to note that legal separation is not just moving out of the home you share with your spouse. If you want to legally separate, you need a separation agreement.

What is meant by Judicial Separation in India?

Judicial Separation is a provision under the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 wherein both the husband and the wife get an opportunity to introspect about giving a chance to their marriage, before going on with the divorce proceedings.

A legal separation is granted in the form of a court order. Once a decree for Judicial Separation is passed, a husband or a wife lives separately for a period of getting adequate space, independence, and time to think about continuing their marriage or not. During this phase, both the parties still carry the same legal status of being husband and wife and yet at the same time live separately also. The provision for judicial separation is contained in Section 10 of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955.

Judicial Separation preferable to Divorce

As judicial separation is just a jolt to and not unlike divorce dissolution of marriage, it is better to remedy from the sociological point of view. It is, therefore, in the interest that all attempts must be made to preserve marriage. A warning-bell or safety-valve must be provided so that the parties may rejuvenate their bond lest it breathes its last. The remedy of Judicial Separation serves this very purpose. It allows reconciliation and adjustment for the Hindu society, in which divorce was unthinkable and contemptible to date, this remedy is all more preferable and therefore better.

Difference between Judicial Separation and Divorce

Both are breaks in marriage, but they differ from each other in nature and degree.

  1. Merely separation does not terminate marriage whereas in Divorce the parties are no more husband and wife and hence the marriage ends.
  2. While undertaking the proceedings for separation, the Court does not have to consider that the marriage is permanently closed or broken down whereas in Divorce it is required while presenting the petition.
  3. Both parties can file for judicial separation any time post marriage whereas in case of divorce the parties can only file for divorce only after completion of one year of marriage.
  4. A judicial separation goes through one stage judgment procedure however; divorce goes through a two-stage judgment process.

Hence, this is a process wherein, the Court provides a final turn to a couple seeking a divorce, to try resolving their differences by living separately, before the initiation of divorce proceedings. This gives time for introspection and resolving the matrimonial disputes and misunderstanding between the couple.

Grounds for Judicial Separation in India

The grounds for Judicial Separation are same as that of the grounds of Divorce which are mentioned under Section 13. [Mentioned in detail in the section of Divorce]

Effects of Decree of Judicial Separation

The following are the incidents and effects of an order of separation:

  1. That the marriage tie is not dissolved.
  2. That after the passing of the decree of judicial separation the husband and wife are not bound to live together.
  3. After the decree of judicial separation, it will not be obligatory for the parties to cohabit with each other.
  4. It does not prevent the parties from subsequently resuming cohabitation and living together as husband and wife as originally they did. They don’t need to undergo the ceremony of marriage again because their original marriage still subsists despite the decree of separation.
  5. A fortiori if either marries during that period, he or she will be guilty of bigamy and will be liable for punishment prescribed by Section 17 of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955.
  6. The wife shall, from the date of the decree and till separation continues, be considered as a feme sole, i.e. “independent woman” for the property of every description.

The mutual rights and obligations arising from the marriage are suspended and the rights and duties prescribed by the decree are substituted.

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