My wife and I have been living apart for 2 years now, and I’ve been paying maintenance every month. Before we separated, all our belongings were in her name. However, she’s not willing to grant me a divorce. What are my legal options to get a divorce without disrupting our daily lives? I’m Bengali, and she’s Tamilian.

Under the Hindu Marriage Act, you can file for divorce on grounds of desertion if you’ve been living apart for two years. Since you’ve been paying maintenance, you can file for divorce by mutual consent if she agrees. If she refuses, you can file for divorce on grounds of irretrievable breakdown, but this will involve proving the marriage has broken down beyond repair.