Not every marital problem has to end in divorce, but every serious one needs clear legal advice. Separation, non-payment of maintenance, cruelty, dowry demands and disputes over streedhan and children affect a spouse's safety, finances and future — and the steps taken in the early days often decide how the matter unfolds.
Adv. S. Mohamed Yunus advises and represents husbands and wives in matrimonial disputes in Coimbatore — before the Family Court, the Magistrate's court and mediation centres. Wherever a settlement is possible and fair, it is explored first; where it is not, the client's rights are protected firmly and within time.
Scope
Matters handled
- Maintenance claimsInterim and permanent maintenance for a spouse and children, and enforcement when payments stop.
- Domestic violence reliefProtection, residence, custody and monetary orders under the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005.
- Streedhan recoveryRecovery of jewellery, gifts and articles given to the wife before, at or after marriage.
- Dowry & cruelty complaintsAdvice to either side on complaints of dowry harassment and cruelty, and on protective legal steps.
- Restitution of conjugal rightsPetitions where one spouse has withdrawn from the other's company without reasonable excuse.
- Judicial separationA legal separation without ending the marriage, where divorce is not the preferred course.
- Mediation & settlementNegotiated settlements on maintenance, custody, streedhan and withdrawal of cases, recorded before the court.
- Transfer & NRI mattersTransfer of matrimonial cases, and disputes where one spouse lives outside India.
Process
How the process works
- 1
Confidential consultation
Understanding the marriage history, the immediate concerns and what the client wants to achieve.
- 2
Immediate protection
Urgent steps where needed — protection or residence orders, or interim maintenance.
- 3
Notice, mediation or petition
A legal notice, a mediation attempt or a petition before the appropriate court, as the facts require.
- 4
Hearing & settlement
Evidence and arguments, or a written settlement recorded before the court to close all pending cases.
Documents to keep ready
- Marriage certificate, invitation or photographs
- Identity and address proof of both spouses
- Income proof — salary slips, ITR, bank statements
- List and proof of streedhan, jewellery and gifts
- Messages, emails, medical records or police complaints, if any
- Copies of any notices or cases already filed
Relevant laws
- Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 and Special Marriage Act, 1954
- Muslim personal law and Indian Divorce Act, 1869
- Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005
- Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961
- Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (maintenance provisions)
- Family Courts Act, 1984
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Can I claim maintenance without filing for divorce?
Yes. A spouse who is unable to maintain herself can claim maintenance, for herself and the children, while the marriage continues. Interim maintenance can be sought while the case is pending.
What is streedhan and can it be recovered?
Streedhan is the property given to a woman before, at or after marriage — jewellery, gifts, money and articles. It belongs to her, and she can seek its return through a legal notice, under the Domestic Violence Act or through other proceedings.
Is mediation compulsory in matrimonial cases?
Family Courts are required to make efforts at settlement, and matters are commonly referred to counselling or mediation. A settlement is voluntary — nothing is agreed without the client's consent.
Can a matrimonial case be transferred to my town?
In appropriate cases a transfer petition can be filed before the High Court or the Supreme Court. Courts consider factors such as convenience, the safety of the wife and the care of children.
The information on this page is general in nature, based on the law as generally understood, and is not legal advice. Legal positions change and outcomes depend on the facts of each case. Please consult before acting on any information.
