Divorce in India is not just an emotional and social upheaval—it carries a heavy financial cost, often reshaping the lives of both men and women. A new study surveying 1,258 divorced individuals across Tier-1 and Tier-2 cities has highlighted the deep economic scars left behind by marital dissolutions.
One of the starkest findings is that 42% of men had to take loans to meet alimony or divorce-related expenses, according to 1 Finance Magazine study.
On average, men spent about 38% of their annual income on maintenance payments, significantly cutting into their savings and financial freedom.
Women, on the other hand, faced challenges of a different kind. Nearly 46% of women either quit their jobs or reduced their work intensity after marriage, leading
to financial dependence on their spouses. Post-divorce, however, many saw an improvement in their financial position—49% reported an increase in net worth, often due to alimony settlements. Notably, more than half of women surveyed received over 50% of their husband’s net worth as part of the settlement, with some cases crossing even 100%.
The cost of divorce proceedings added to the strain. While 84% of women spent within the Rs 5 lakh bracket, almost half of the men reported expenses exceeding Rs 5 lakh. Beyond legal fees, costs included relocation, interim maintenance, and emotional health support.
Experts say the findings underline the urgent need for financial transparency and premarital money discussions. Clear agreements on household expenses, debt responsibilities, and savings goals could reduce future conflicts.
“Divorce isn’t just emotional; it’s financial too,” noted Aditi Mohoni as quoted by 1 Finance Magazine, a family lawyer, stressing the importance of early financial planning to mitigate long-term strain.
