Yes. If the kabinnama gives her a delegated right of divorce, usually in the column dealing with talaq-e-tafweez, she can exercise it by giving written notice to the local authority in the same way as a husband, and the ninety day period then runs. Without that right, she can apply to the Family Court for dissolution on statutory grounds such as cruelty, failure to maintain for two years or desertion. She does not need her husband's consent for either route, although an agreed khula is often faster, cheaper and less adversarial for everyone involved.

The notice requirement exists to give the Arbitration Council a chance to attempt reconciliation and to fix the date the talaq takes effect. Failure to give notice is an offence under the 1961 Ordinance. The legal effect of a talaq without notice has been debated in the courts, and the safer course is to treat proper notice as essential. If you are relying on an earlier talaq that was never notified, we review the facts and records carefully before you remarry, register a new marriage or rely on it for inheritance or immigration purposes.

A talaq or delegated divorce generally takes effect ninety days after the notice reaches the local authority, provided the wife is not pregnant, and registration follows. A contested Family Court case for dissolution, dower or maintenance can take considerably longer depending on the court's list, service on the other party, the number of witnesses and whether there are appeals. Agreed settlements recorded through mediation can conclude quickly. We give each client a realistic estimate after reviewing the papers, the court involved and the other side's likely position, and we update it as the case develops.

A Muslim wife is entitled to any unpaid dower, both prompt and deferred, which becomes payable on divorce. She can also claim maintenance for the iddat period and any arrears of maintenance during the marriage, and her own property, including gifts and ornaments given to her, remains hers. Children are entitled to maintenance from their father. Bangladesh law does not provide for a general division of matrimonial property, so ownership records, bank statements and title documents matter. We help clients document these claims and pursue them through settlement or the Family Court. Keep the marriage and dower records safe.

It may be, but recognition is not automatic. A Bangladesh court or authority will look at the jurisdiction of the foreign court, whether the other spouse was properly notified, whether the decision conflicts with the personal law and public policy applicable here, and how it is proved. Problems often arise when a later marriage is registered or an inheritance is claimed. We advise on the documents and steps required, and where needed obtain a Bangladeshi decision or record so that the divorce is reflected consistently in both countries and in official records.

Yes. Although Hindu law in Bangladesh does not generally provide for divorce, a Hindu wife may live separately and claim maintenance where the law recognises justified grounds, such as cruelty, desertion or the husband's remarriage. Questions of residence, maintenance and children are dealt with by the courts. Couples sometimes formalise their arrangements by written agreement. Where one spouse has converted or remarried abroad, further issues arise. We advise on the available remedies and on how a separation will be treated in any foreign jurisdiction involved, including for immigration purposes. Each case turns on its own facts.

Custody and guardianship are separate concepts. Under Muslim personal law the mother usually has custody of young children up to ages set by tradition, while the father is the natural guardian of the child's property and person. The courts, however, decide according to the welfare of the child, and the age limits are not applied rigidly. Applications are made to the Family Court under the Guardians and Wards Act 1890. We help parents agree practical arrangements for residence, schooling and contact, or seek interim and final orders where agreement fails.

The Family Courts Act 2023 builds reconciliation attempts into Family Court proceedings, and the Arbitration Council process under the 1961 Ordinance is itself a reconciliation step for talaq. The Legal Aid Services (Amendment) Act 2026 also introduces mandatory pre-case mediation for certain disputes, being rolled out district by district, so the requirements depend on the type of claim and where it is filed. We check what applies to your case and use mediation strategically, because a well-prepared, properly documented settlement is often the most durable outcome for both spouses. Keep a record of each mediation attempt and offer made.