No, a spouse generally cannot claim a direct right over the other spouse's ancestral property during divorce in Chennai, since ancestral property under Hindu law belongs to the coparcenary and devolves by birth to coparceners, not to a spouse merely by virtue of marriage.

However, Chennai Family Courts can take the value and income potential of ancestral property into account when assessing maintenance or alimony, since a spouse's overall financial capacity — including any share or expected inheritance in ancestral property — is a relevant factor in determining a fair support amount.

Where the ancestral property has generated income used for the family's benefit during the marriage, or where it has been partitioned and the respondent spouse holds a specific share, that share may become relevant as personal property for maintenance assessment purposes, though the ancestral character itself does not transfer to the other spouse.

Given how technical the distinction between ancestral and separate property can be, it is important to have your specific property situation properly analysed before pursuing or defending such a claim. Reaching out via Aapka Legal Advice can help you understand what you can realistically claim.

Because ancestral property disputes often intersect with complex family and succession law, obtaining a second opinion from a retired judge on your case can help you set the right expectations. Experienced divorce lawyers and retired judges are available through Aapka Legal Advice's Chennai divorce lawyer directory.

In conclusion, a spouse cannot directly claim a share in the other spouse's ancestral property during a Chennai divorce, though its value may still influence maintenance and alimony determinations.