'Living separately' for 1 year not mandatory for mutual divorce: HC
The Delhi High Court just made it easier for couples to get a mutual divorce.
The judges ruled that you don't always have to wait a full year of living apart—courts can skip this rule if there's "exceptional hardship" or "exceptional depravity."
Basically, the law can be flexible when things are really tough.
What does this mean for couples?
If both people agree and the situation is serious, courts can fast-track the divorce by waiving both the one-year waiting period and the usual six-month cooling-off time.
But it's not automatic—judges have to see clear evidence that waiting would cause real harm.
Why should you care?
This decision helps people avoid being stuck in marriages that aren't working, especially when things are already difficult.
It gives courts more power to help couples move on sooner, instead of forcing them through long waits that might just make things harder.