How to file for divorce in Dubai as a UK-married expat, seeking child custody and maintenance?

Hello,

Thank you for reaching out!

Based on your situation, filing for divorce in Dubai is possible even with a UK-registered marriage, as long as both spouses are resident here. The process involves family court registration, mandatory conciliation, and potentially court hearings if contested.

Regarding custody under recent UAE family law reforms effective April 2025, mothers can retain custody of their sons until they turn 18. Your request to keep custody of your 7-year-old son until at least age 11 aligns well with these provisions. The courts prioritize the child's best interests.

Alimony or child support can be claimed either as monthly payments or a lump sum, but the court will consider factors including the child's needs, parents' financial status, and length of marriage in determining any amount.

If you want to proceed, I can assist with initiating the process, advising on documentation, representing you in court, and helping draft custody and support agreements if needed.

Please let me know if you'd like to arrange a consultation to discuss further.

Good morning,

Regarding your inquiry:

You can file for divorce in Dubai, and the court will consider your case under UAE law. For your 7-year-old son, custody is generally awarded to the mother until the age of 11 for boys, unless the court determines otherwise in the child’s best interest.

The court can also order child support, either as monthly payments or a lump sum, based on the father’s income and your financial needs. Your separation since April 2025 will be taken into account in the proceedings.

We can assist you in filing the divorce petition, preparing custody and maintenance claims, and representing you in court to ensure your rights and your son’s welfare are protected.

Best regards,

Mohammed Salah

Legal Consultant

Dear Inquirer,

Thank you for reaching out regarding your divorce and custody matter!

Since your marriage was registered in the UK but both of you are based in Dubai, it is important to assess whether UAE law or UK law will apply, and to carefully structure your custody and alimony claims in line with the applicable regulations.

We recommend booking an appointment with our legal team so we can:

• Review your marriage and residency details,

• Advise on the custody of your son and how to secure your rights until he turns 11,

• Guide you on claiming alimony either as monthly payments or a lump sum, and

• Outline the best legal approach for filing your divorce in Dubai.

Dear User,

You can file for divorce in Dubai, even if the marriage is registered in the UK, and allow the UAE authorities to consider the divorce case if both parties are residents there.

As the mother, you have the natural right to request custody of the youngest son, especially at the age of 7 years, and usually, Emirati law grants the mother custody of young children up to a certain age, but you must submit an official memorandum to the court explaining your desire for custody, daily care, and education.

As for alimony, you can request monthly alimony or a lump sum for the child according to the agreement or court decision, and the court will consider the income of both parties and the child's expenses.

Since the actual separation has been in place since April 2025, this supports your legal position and can be used to request a divorce by consent or a judicial divorce if there is no agreement. The court will issue a divorce decision after studying: the reasons for the separation, children's rights, custody, and alimony.

Regarding your request, since both of you are based in Dubai and the marriage was registered in the UK, the Personal Status Law for Non-Muslims in Dubai (2022) gives you the option to:

1. Apply the law of the country where the marriage was registered (UK), or

2. Apply the local Dubai Personal Status Law for non-Muslims.

Dear Inquirer,

Divorce and child custody cases in Dubai depend on several factors, including the place of marriage registration, residency, and the child’s best interests under UAE law. Custody, alimony, and financial support can be claimed, but the exact entitlements and strategy will depend on your circumstances and documentation.

We recommend booking a consultation with us so we can assess your case in detail and represent you if needed.

Best regards,

Thank you for contacting us via Legal Advice Middle East!

Your situation involves several overlapping issues: recognition of a foreign marriage in the UAE, initiation of divorce proceedings, custody of a minor child, and securing financial support.

We recently acted in a very similar case where the marriage was registered abroad, both parties were resident in Dubai, and the court accepted jurisdiction to dissolve the marriage and decide custody and child support. This precedent strongly supports your position.

There are multiple legal avenues. The divorce can be filed in the Dubai Family Court, which will first attempt mediation and then proceed to judgment. Custody of a child of seven years is often granted to the mother, especially if stability and continuity are shown to be in the child’s best interest, with visitation for the father.

Courts may award custody until a later age, and you can request continuation until eleven, subject to judicial review. For financial support, you can claim monthly alimony to cover education, housing, and living expenses, or negotiate a lump sum settlement.

The stronger your documentation of the child’s needs and the father’s financial capacity, the better your outcome.

To provide accurate advice, we would need to review your marriage certificate, proof of residency, separation details, and any financial records. Our multilingual team is available in Arabic, English, Russian, Hindi, and Chinese to assist you throughout the process.

Dear Questioner,

Thank you for reaching out regarding your intention to file for divorce after 18 years of marriage. I understand that both parties currently reside in Dubai, while the marriage was registered in the United Kingdom. You’ve also indicated that separation occurred in mid-April 2025.

Based on your request, you are seeking:

- Dissolution of marriage,

- Custody of your youngest son (age 7), ideally until he turns 11, and

- Financial support for your son, either in the form of monthly alimony payments or a lump sum.

To advise you accurately on jurisdiction, custody rights, and financial entitlements, I will need to clarify a few key points:

1. Religion of both parties – This is particularly relevant under UAE law, where personal status matters may be governed by Sharia principles unless parties opt to apply foreign law.

2. Nationality of both spouses

3. Whether you wish to proceed under UK law, UAE law, or another applicable jurisdiction

4. Any existing agreements or court orders regarding custody or financial support.

Once I have this information, I can guide you on the most appropriate legal pathway and help you pursue custody and financial support in line with your goals.

Please email us at [------------] or send a message to [-------------].

Please confirm your religion and the religion of your spouse so we can proceed accordingly.