Yes. In 2026, the Madras High Court strictly follows the principle that procedure should not prolong agony. If you have been separated for 18 months and have settled all terms regarding alimony and children, we file a Section 13B(2) waiver application. Under the Amardeep Singh v. Harveen Kaur precedent, the court can bypass the waiting period, potentially finalizing your divorce in under 30 days.

Absolutely. A landmark 2024/25 Madras High Court ruling (Nirmal Kumar vs. Family Court) clarified that parties do not need to visit an Indian Embassy or travel to Chennai. You can record your statement via Video Conferencing from your home or office in the USA, UK, or elsewhere. We manage the Hybrid Hearing protocols and POA (Power of Attorney) adjudication at the Rajaji Salai registration office to ensure zero travel is required.

Jurisdiction is determined by where the marriage was solemnized or where the couple last lived together. In Chennai, cases are typically filed at the Principal Family Court (High Court Campus, George Town). However, if you reside in the suburbs, your case may fall under the Tambaram, Alandur, or Chengalpattu Family Courts. Filing in the correct jurisdiction is critical to avoid "return of papers" and months of delay.

While a certificate is preferred, the Chennai courts accept secondary evidence such as the original Wedding Invitation card along with two clear joint wedding photographs (showing the Saptapadi or Thali tying). We can also assist in obtaining a certified copy from the Sub-Registrar Office (SRO) if your marriage was registered in Tamil Nadu.

Legally, either party can withdraw consent before the Second Motion is recorded. To prevent this "litigation blackmail," we draft a comprehensive Settlement Agreement (MOU) that includes penalty clauses and ensures that any alimony paid is refundable if consent is unilaterally withdrawn. This provides the highest level of financial security for our clients in Chennai.