Yes, a marriage can still be declared void in Chennai even after many years of the parties living together, since certain defects render a marriage void ab initio — meaning invalid from its very inception — and the mere passage of time or continued cohabitation does not cure these fundamental legal defects. Under Section 11 of the Hindu Marriage Act, a marriage is void if either party had a living spouse at the time of the marriage (bigamy), if the parties are within prohibited degrees of relationship, or if they are sapindas of each other, unless custom permits such a union.

Unlike voidable marriages, which remain valid until annulled by a court decree, a void marriage is considered legally non-existent from the outset, and technically any party can seek a declaration to this effect at any time, without the strict one-year limitation that applies to certain voidable marriage annulments. This means that even after decades of cohabitation, if one spouse discovers that the other had a subsisting prior marriage at the time of their wedding, a petition for declaration of nullity can still be filed before the Chennai family court.

However, long cohabitation does raise practical complications, particularly regarding property rights, maintenance claims, and the legitimacy of children born from the union — Indian courts have taken a protective approach toward children born of void marriages, deeming them legitimate for inheritance purposes under Section 16 of the Hindu Marriage Act, even though the marriage itself is declared void. This means that while the marital status is nullified, the rights of children are specifically safeguarded by statute.

Because such cases often involve complex factual disputes about what the parties knew and when, along with significant financial and custodial stakes built up over years of cohabitation, it is essential to have experienced legal counsel guide you through both the nullity petition and the ancillary claims. Consulting the team at Aapka Legal Advice can help you understand how a void marriage declaration would affect your property rights, any children's legitimacy, and maintenance entitlements.

Given the long-term stakes involved after years of cohabitation, obtaining a second opinion from a retired judge on the strength of your grounds and the likely ancillary consequences is strongly recommended before filing. Chennai's experienced family law advocates and retired judges, available through Aapka Legal Advice's Chennai divorce lawyer directory, can help you navigate this legally and emotionally complex situation.

In conclusion, a marriage can indeed be declared void in Chennai regardless of how many years the parties have lived together, provided a fundamental legal defect existed from the outset, though the practical and financial consequences require careful, expert navigation.