Indian marriages in America are breaking more than ever, and the truth behind rising divorces will shock you.
Why Indian Marriages in America Are Failing in the USA
India is a country where marriage is considered the most sacred. Indians believe that marriage is a relationship for seven lives. According to Indian culture, breaking marital relations means taking a divorce, which is considered the biggest sin in the world.But there are some countries where marital relations hold little importance, and as a result, divorce has become common in Western countries. Most people in the world, including Indians, dream of going to America and earning a lot of money. But do you know what the condition of marital relationships among Indian immigrants in America is? Many people do not realize how deeply Indian marriages in America are getting affected by cultural changes.
I am very sad to say that today, the problem of divorce among Indian couples in the USA is increasing day by day. If you do not know, then let me tell you that the mental burden of divorce is very heavy, and at the same time, the legal systems related to divorce in the USA are even more complex.This is one major reason why Indian marriages in America face unexpected emotional pressure.
To understand how divorce impacts families, you can also read the official U.S. Census Bureau’s marital statistics : Click Here
Why the American Lifestyle Affects Indian Marriages:
America is a country where every person gives the highest priority to personal happiness and emotional well-being. There are many Indian men who go to America and want to live their lives according to the customs there, while there are many Indian women who go there and start wearing clothes like American women.
In many places in India, people live in joint families, due to which the matter does not reach divorce in married couples. But in America, there is no concept of joint family. That is why those married Indian couples in America remain independent and live according to their wishes. This kind of lifestyle difference is one of the main reasons Indian marriages in America struggle to survive.
Indian couples living in the USA consider themselves independent and do not like it at all if anyone else interferes in their personal life, even if it is their spouse. Due to such cultural differences between India and America, fights start between husband and wife over small things, and they start getting away from each other in their minds. Finally, the matter reaches divorce, of which their family members sitting in India are completely unaware.
Divorce Laws That Affect Indian Marriages in America
If you look at it legally, the divorce process in the USA for Indian couples is very simple, but if you look at it from an emotional point of view, you will find it a challenging process. There is no need to prove each other’s fault to get a divorce in America.
This means that you do not need to prove your partner’s fault in court to get a divorce. If you are fed up with your partner, you can divorce him/her.Let me tell you that if an Indian couple is divorced by an American court, then that divorce order is recognized in India, which directly affects how Indian marriages in America are legally structured.
However, some couples, with the desire to get their property settlement in India, come to India and go through the divorce process again, which is very long and boring.Many Indian couples also fear that if they do not go through the divorce process in India, they may face problems with getting married again, but nothing like this happens. If your divorce is through an American court, then you can come to India and remarry.
So, do not think, “If I have not divorced my spouse in India, then I cannot marry another Indian.” If you have any doubt, you can present the documents issued by the American court to an Indian court and obtain a formal declaration, for which you will need the assistance of an expert NRI divorce lawyer in India.
For basic legal awareness, you can also refer to the Indian Ministry of Law & Justice website : Click Here
What Happens When Children Are Involved:
The divorce process for Indian couples living in America becomes complicated when they have children. In American courts, child custody is considered one of the most sensitive aspects, and such situations create more stress in Indian marriages in America.
Did you know that in American courts, the interests of children in custody battles are given the first priority? In child custody matters, children’s safety and emotional bonds are most important — not cultural traditions.
If you want to understand U.S. child custody rules, you may refer to the Child Welfare Information Gateway : Click Here
Unlike India, in America, it is not the case that the custody of children should be given only to their mothers. Rather, here, the court decides most of the child custody cases using co-parenting laws, in which both parents may live separately or get divorced, but all the expenses of raising their child will have to be borne by the parents together.
Immigration Status and Divorce Complications:
Immigration status and divorce in America is the second biggest complicating factor in the case of Indian marriages. There are many Indian couples living in America who have married their H-1 visa partner and are living in America on an H-4 dependent visa. These immigration struggles often push Indian marriages in America into instability.
If there is a divorce between couples from any such country, then the partner who has an H-4 dependent visa can be in legal trouble, due to which that person may have to rush to find a student visa or work visa in America immediately.
For accurate visa and immigration information, you can always check the official USCIS website : Click Here
Keep one important thing in mind: if after marriage you are in the process of getting a green card and at the same time you apply for divorce, then it may take time for you to get permanent residency in the USA, or else your green card process can be stopped immediately and rejected by the American Government.
So, it is better for everyone to stay away from divorce until you get a green card; otherwise, both husband and wife will suffer.
Financial and Property Disputes Between Borders:
It is not that there are no laws for alimony, financial settlements, and property division in the USA; rather, the most detailed and relevant laws for such matters are laid down by US state divorce laws.
Complications in NRI divorce cases arise when a couple has ancestral property in India or any joint accounts or investments in India. However, the division of Indian assets cannot be done under US jurisdiction.These financial complications often create more challenges for Indian marriages in America.
In such complicated cases, the appointment of divorce lawyers and legal advisors in both India and USA is required to reach a comprehensive settlement, which makes the process a bit long and expensive.
Seeking Support Through the Process:
Despite knowing that divorce is a mentally painful and complex process, people are sometimes forced to go through it. The process of divorce gives people, especially immigrant Indian women in the USA, a sense of independence and personal strength, even if they have to face social isolation due to certain decisions.
There are many organizations in the US that provide quick access to services like group therapy, emotional support, and legal counselling for South Asian immigrants, so that people can deal with both the practical and emotional consequences more easily.Emotional stress is one of the silent reasons Indian marriages in America fall apart.
One such resource is SAALT – South Asian Americans Leading Together, where people can find culturally sensitive support.
Final Thoughts:
Well, the divorce process for Indian couples in America is hardly easy, but with complete information and the necessary support, it can be made manageable. If you want, you can come out of this difficult situation by understanding your rights in America and seeking culturally sensitive legal advice.
This is a world where personal satisfaction and emotional well-being is often prioritized over social expectations. If you believe me, do not allow minor conflicts to escalate to the level of divorce, because it could break your whole family and damage your children’s future.
Important Note:
People who are living illegally in America should not consider divorce at all, as it could result in direct deportation due to undocumented immigration status, which is considered a crime under US law.
