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Divorce first wife legally. procedure & do i need to pay alimony


10-Feb-2026 (In Divorce Law)
I got married to my first wife in a christian marriage, didnt divorce her. Now I am married to another Hindu women, How to convey this to first wife and divorce her? Do I need to pay alimony to her?
Answers (2)

Answer #1
789 votes
If the first marriage was solemnized under the Christian Marriage Act and no decree of divorce was obtained, the first marriage is still legally valid. Contracting a second marriage during the subsistence of the first marriage is void and may also attract criminal liability for bigamy under Section 494 IPC (now corresponding provisions under BNS). The proper course is to first seek divorce from the first wife under the Indian Divorce Act. Conversion of religion does not automatically dissolve the first marriage. As regards alimony, the first wife is legally entitled to claim maintenance depending on factors like income, dependency, conduct of parties and standard of living. Each case is decided on its own facts by the court.
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Advocate Hemalatha Narayanan

Adv. Hemalatha Narayanan

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Answer #2
608 votes
Dear Client…. I understood your problem…. Can you answer my following questions so that I can give proper advice from my side…. 1.your first wife knows your 2nd marriage? 2. As per law your 2nd marriage is registered under law? 3. What about the first wife whether she knows your 2nd marriage?
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Advocate Iyappan. E

Adv. Iyappan. E

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