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How Much Alimony Can Your Partner Legally Claim After A Divorce? Know Your Rights
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Knowing alimony, spousal, and child support rules in India is vital. Both parties should assess assets, liabilities, joint property, accounts, investments, and loans
Hiring a divorce lawyer to protect financial interests and a financial planner for post-divorce financial planning is recommended. (Representative/News18 Bangla)
Amid the emotional turmoil of divorce, many individuals face the added concern of alimony, which can bring significant financial implications. Courts step in to provide this support, aiming to ease the financial strain and ensure stability for the affected spouse.
In India, alimony is governed by various personal laws and the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (CrPC), ensuring that financially weaker spouses can maintain a life of minimum dignity post-separation. The form of alimony can vary based on case specifics.
Types Of Alimony:
- Permanent Alimony: This is extended to spouses who require ongoing financial support post-divorce, ceasing only upon the recipient’s remarriage or death, as stipulated under Section 25 of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955, and other personal laws.
- Temporary Alimony/Interim Maintenance: Provided during divorce proceedings, it covers legal fees, living expenses, and other related costs, according to Section 24 of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955, and Section 125 of the CrPC.
- Rehabilitative Alimony: Offered for a limited period, it aims to help the financially weaker spouse become self-sufficient, often through education or employment opportunities.
- Reimbursement/Compensatory Alimony: This compensates a spouse who sacrificed career opportunities for family obligations. Equitable principles guide its provision.
- Lump Sum Alimony: A one-time payment that spares the recipient from monthly legal battles, allowing them to settle debts, purchase property, or fulfil other needs.
- Nominal Alimony: A minimal amount set to preserve the legal right to claim more significant support in the future, used when immediate financial need is absent but anticipated.
Alimony Under Various Personal Laws
- Hindu Law: The Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 (Sections 24 and 25) covers interim and permanent alimony.
- Muslim Law: Alimony is paid during the iddat period post-divorce as per Sharia law and the Muslim Women (Protection of Right to Divorce) Act.
- Christian Law: The Indian Divorce Act, 1869 (Sections 36 and 37) governs alimony for Christian spouses.
- Parsi Law: The Parsi Marriage and Divorce Act, 1936 provides for maintenance both during and post-divorce.
- Special Marriage Act, 1954: Applicable to inter-religious marriages, it permits maintenance under Sections 36 and 37.
Future Earning Capacity
The ability to earn in the future, even if currently unemployed, affects alimony amounts. Courts encourage self-reliance, as seen in Kalyan De Chowdhury v. Rita De Chowdhury, (2017) 14 SCC 200.
Income Disclosure And Special Needs
In a notable case, the Jharkhand High Court increased a wife’s monthly maintenance to Rs. 90,000 after RTI findings revealed the husband’s income. The court also acknowledged the special needs of the couple’s autistic child, factoring in the mother’s full-time caregiving role.
Understanding alimony, spousal support, and child support under Indian law is crucial. Both parties must evaluate their assets and liabilities, including jointly owned property, bank accounts, investments, jewellery, and vehicles, as well as joint liabilities like loans. Removing one’s name from joint loans or credit cards is advisable to avoid future liabilities.
For financially dependent individuals, budgeting for post-divorce living expenses is essential. Opening a separate bank account, updating nominees on insurance and investment portfolios, and planning finances to manage alimony payments are important steps. Alimony received in lump sums is tax-free, whereas monthly payments are taxable. Understanding capital gains tax on donated property is also necessary.
Child support for education, health, and daily expenses must be decided, considering the custodial parent’s role. Updating wills, insurance policies, bank nominations, and property documents to exclude the ex-spouse might be necessary. Ensuring all financial settlements are documented in the divorce decree is critical.
Hiring a divorce lawyer to protect financial interests and a financial planner for post-divorce financial planning is recommended. Saving and investing for long-term security, acquiring new skills, and seeking employment or business opportunities can help rebuild a financially independent life post-divorce.
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Top stocks to buy today: Stock recommendations for April 24, 2026 – check list – The Times of India
Stock market recommendations: Bharat Electronics, and Colgate-Palmolive (India) have been recommended as the top stocks to buy today (April 24, 2026) by Bajaj Broking Research. Take a look at the target prices and expected returns:Bharat ElectronicsBuy in the range of ₹ 440.00-450.00
The stock is in structural up trend forming higher high and higher low in all time frame signaling strength and continuation of the uptrend. The entire up move of the last 8 months is in a rising channel as can be seen in the chart highlighting sustained demand at an elevated level.On the smaller time frame, the stock is at the cusp of generating a breakout above the bullish Flag like formation as post a sharp up move in the first 3 weeks of April the stock went into a consolidation phase in the last four sessions. It is seen resuming up move and is at the cusp of generating a breakout above the bullish Flag formation highlighting continuation of the up move and offers fresh entry opportunity.We expect the stock to extend the up move and head towards 495 levels in the coming months being the confluence of the 123.6% external retracement of the previous decline 473 – 400 and the upper band of the rising channel of the last 8 months.Colgate-Palmolive (India)Buy in the range of 2120-2160
The share price of Colgate-Palmolive has generated a breakout above bullish Flag pattern signaling continuation of the up move and offers fresh entry opportunity.We expect the stock to head higher towards 2330 levels in the coming months being the measuring implication of the bullish flag breakout.The daily 14 periods RSI is in buy mode thus supports the positive bias in the stock.(Disclaimer: Recommendations and views on the stock market, other asset classes or personal finance management tips given by experts are their own. These opinions do not represent the views of The Times of India)
It is unusual for a senior figure at the Bank to be so forthright on market movements.
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Consumer confidence has fallen for the third consecutive month amid household “jitters” over rapid price rises, figures show.
GfK’s long-running consumer confidence index fell four points to minus 25 in April, following falls of two points and three points in March and February respectively.
The deepening concern was driven by perceptions of the UK economy, with a six-point slide in confidence for the next 12 months to minus 43, its lowest level since February 2023.
Confidence in personal finances over the coming year fell five points to minus four – one point lower than this time last year.
The major purchase index – an indicator of confidence in buying big ticket items – held steady, albeit at minus 18 but one point better than last April.
The only measure to improve was the savings index – often an indication that households are concerned about their finances and looking to build contingency funds – which is up five points to 32.
Neil Bellamy, consumer insights director at GfK, said: “Consumers really do have the jitters now.
“It is a year since we last saw a monthly drop of this size, and we have to go back to October 2023 to find the last time consumer confidence was lower.
“Everyone is grappling with rapid price rises, especially at the fuel pumps, which are taking a dent out of household budgets, and people know further price hikes are coming.
“Consumer confidence is deteriorating sharply, with fuel prices and threats of more energy price increases acting as constant reminders of inflation.
“While the Gulf crisis is intensifying pressures, much of the current strain reflects earlier domestic cost increases.
“How long can all this disruption and pain continue?”
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Top stocks to buy today: Stock recommendations for April 24, 2026 – check list – The Times of India
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