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Glam Monitor

Can a working wife get alimony in India?

Author

Rachel Davis

Updated on June 08, 2026

A working woman is eligible to get alimony depending on her income and living conditions. So, even if the woman is working and there is a substantial difference between her and her husband's net worth, she will still be granted alimony to provide for the same living standards as her husband's.

How much alimony does a working wife get in India?

If the alimony is being paid on a monthly basis, the Supreme Court of India has set 25% of the husband's net monthly salary as the benchmark amount that should be granted to the wife. There is no such benchmark for one-time settlement, but usually, the amount ranges between 1/5th to 1/3rd of the husband's net worth.

Is working wife eligible for maintenance?

With the passage of time, the 'home maker' status of women in India has undergone considerable changes. A woman is no more tagged as just a housewife. Infact, she has successfully established herself as a working woman.

How long do you have to be married to get alimony in India?

Marriages that lasted more than 10 years are entitled to be granted a lifelong alimony. Age of the spouse is also taken into consideration while awarding alimony.

Can wife claim alimony if husband is unemployed?

Answers (2) Under section 24 of Hindu Marriage Act, even a husband can claim alimony from his wife if his income is petty or is unemployed. However, if the man is an able bodied person capable of working and is not working only to evade maintenance then the court may deny maintenance to him.

27 related questions found

How can I escape alimony in India?

Now let's discuss How to avoid Alimony in India?

  1. If the Wife is Accused of Adultery. ...
  2. Get the Marriage Over With As Soon As Possible. ...
  3. If Wife Earns Well. ...
  4. If You Prove That They Don't Need It. ...
  5. If You Have Physical Disabilities. ...
  6. Change How You Live. ...
  7. If Your Spouse Has Started Living With New Partner.

How can I avoid maintenance for my wife in India?

  1. you can file petition for restitution of conjugal rights but you cannot force your wife to stay with you . ...
  2. if order of maintenance is passed against you and you are aggrieved you can go in appeal against the said order before sessions court . ...
  3. even if you take personal loans your maintenance wont be reduced .

Can working wife claim alimony?

A working woman is eligible to get alimony depending on her income and living conditions. So, even if the woman is working and there is a substantial difference between her and her husband's net worth, she will still be granted alimony to provide for the same living standards as her husband's.

How can you avoid alimony?

If the husband is not physically fit, or disable to earn his own bread and butter, he can avoid paying alimony. In such cases, the court can ask the wife to pay alimony in such cases. The decision of the court regarding alimony depends upon the representation of your divorce case.

How can I protect myself from alimony?

How to Protect Yourself from Paying Unreasonable Alimony

  1. Make a Full Representation of Your Earnings. ...
  2. Negotiate with Other Assets and Debt. ...
  3. Know How Long Your Alimony Will Last. ...
  4. Request a Modification If Necessary. ...
  5. Call Hornberger Verbitsky, P.C. Today for a Consultation.

Can a husband demand alimony?

As discussed earlier, under the provisions of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955, even a Hindu husband can claim alimony from his wife if he earns less than her or does not earn at all, though this is rare. Usually, the husband is bound to maintain his wife till her lifetime.

Can wife maintenance without divorce?

yes you can claim maintenance under section 24 of the Hindu Marriage Act from the husband even without divorce, if he is not making any payment. you can too file a complaint under the domestic violence act for payment of maintenance.

Can a working woman ask maintenance for child in India?

since both you and your husband earns approximately the same no one is under any legal obligations to maintain the other. However the child being joint responsibility of both the parents is entitled to be maintained by both.. so you can ask for maintenance of your child..

Does the husband always have to pay alimony?

The husband is not required to pay alimony in case the wife remarries though he would still need to pay alimony in support of any children resulting from their union. He can also contest alimony on the grounds that the wife is employed, though he cannot deny payment if it's been ordered.

How alimony is decided?

If the alimony is being paid on a monthly basis, the Supreme Court of India has set 25% of the husband's net monthly salary as the benchmark amount that should be granted to the wife. There is no such benchmark for one-time settlement, but usually, the amount ranges between 1/5th to 1/3rd of the husband's net worth.

Is it compulsory to give alimony in India?

So, if you have been the primary bread winner for your spouse and children and your spouse is not able to support himself/herself financially, it is mandatory for you to pay some kind of spousal support.

On what grounds wife can be refused maintenance?

Grounds on which the wife can be refused maintenance

The wife must not be living in adultery- If the wife is committing adultery i.e. lives in a quasi-permanent union with the man with whom she is committing adultery, then she is not entitled to receive any interim allowance or maintenance.

In which situation wife is not entitled for maintenance?

If you are a woman and have been divorced by your husband or you have obtained divorce from your husband, you are entitled to maintenance. However, a wife cannot claim maintenance in case she is living in adultery or she without any sufficient reason refuses to live with her husband.

What is Rule 43 in a divorce?

This rule aims to avoid any considerable prejudice to either party pending divorce. Rule 43 is used for matters relating to interim care or contact with the parties' child/children; maintenance for the spouse and/or children; and enforcing certain payments and interim contributions towards divorce or legal fees.

What is the minimum period of separation for divorce?

Section 10A of Indian Divorce Act, 1869, requires the couple to be separated for at least two years, the couple only needs to provide that they have not been living as husband and wife during this period.

What are the 3 grounds for divorce?

The following are the grounds of divorce mentioned under the Indian Divorce Act, 1869.

  • Adultery.
  • Conversion to another religion.
  • One of the couples suffering from an unsound mind, leprosy or communicable venereal disease for at least two years before the filing of the divorce.

How long do you have to pay alimony?

10-20 years – On average, you can expect to pay alimony for about 60 to 70 percent of the length of your marriage. So, if you were married for 20 years, your alimony will likely last between 12 and 14 years. However, this can change considerably based on individual circumstances and the judge overseeing your case.

How do men win divorce?

8 financial tips for men getting a divorce

  1. Do know the numbers. ...
  2. Don't be too proud to pay alimony… ...
  3. 3. … ...
  4. Do create a post-divorce life budget. ...
  5. Do divide things equally. ...
  6. Do look into alternative child support solutions. ...
  7. Do set up a cellular plan. ...
  8. Don't make impulsive financial decisions.

Is alimony mandatory in mutual divorce?

Is Alimony Mandatory in Mutual Divorce. However, it is not necessary if the parties are pursuing divorce by mutual consent. The parties can agree on maintenance or alimony. According to the agreement, the husband might handle a specific sum of money to the wife or vice versa.

What happens if my husband filed for divorce first in India?

If a divorce petition is filed then first of all, file a WS for the same stating all the facts concluding your prayer and the relief you want from the courts and simultaneously file a transfer petition in Supreme court so that the divorce petition can be transferred in your city.