Q: Hi, I am currently negotiating a divorce with my wife who is a Russian National. We got married in 2013 in Moscow ZAGs (Registry). I would like to know more about the division of assets upon divorce and what the correct procedures are, as I am in a deadlock with her negotiating. We bought a property in the UAE and both contributed equally towards the down payment. However, moving forward, all mortgage payments were made by me. I am trying to make an agreed settlement with my wife, however, she is asking more than what I feel is fair and equal. If I was to sell the property we would both end up with less. In fact, she will end up with significantly less than what I am offering her. I would like to speak to someone with regards to the divorce proceedings and what the correct procedure is.

س: سؤال بخصوص تقسيم الممتلكات في دبي بعد الطلاق: زوجي وزوجته السابقة قد تطلقا. اشترى وحدة عقارية (مكتب) عندما كانا متزوجين (دفع ثمن الوحدة ولا يزال يدفع مصاريف صيانتها من جيبه الخاص) وأهداها إليها. الآن قد تطلقا، هل يستطيع الحصول على نصف الوحدة؟ ما هي القوانين التي تحكم هذا الأمر في دبي؟ هما الآن في إجراءات الطلاق في المحكمة بروسيا، هل من المسموح به في دبي أن تسجل هي هذه الوحدة باسمه في حال موافقتها على ذلك؟ ما هي المستندات التي سيحتاجها هنا لكي يعيد تسجيل الوحدة باسمه؟

Q: I'm Tunisian woman married to a British passport holder and we're both Muslims married in Qatar and live now in UAE. I want to know what happens if I ask for divorce. We grew apart and he's been nasty with me, threatening me to have a mistress or get married again or even threaten to hit me if I reply to him during an argument. We have a joint account with full ownership (anyone of us has full authority over the account) for both of us but I actually own 90% of the money in it. Lately, after our relationship started suffering, I discovered he transferred all the money to an off-shore account and he didn't consult me or ask for my permission, until he didn't tell me about it. I don't trust him anymore and want to divorce and have my money. Would filing for divorce affect me or my assets (I have another separate current account)? Would I be able to get my money back? How will Sharia law affect this process assuming he won't cooperate? Please advise.

س: لديّ منزل في إمارة دبي باسمي بموجب صك الملكية. هناك أيضًا رهن عقاري. أريد بيع العقار ولكن زوجتي المقيمة هنا تهددني بأنه إذا حاولت القيام بذلك سترفع قضية طلاق في المحكمة وسيمنع ذلك عملية البيع لفترة أطول. هذا يُعرضني، بالطبع، لخطر عدم الوفاء ببنود اتفاقية البيع والشراء، وبالتالي سأضطر إلى دفع غرامة كبيرة للمشتري.

س: كيف يمكنني الطلاق من زوجي هندي الجنسية؟ أنا من الفليبين. كلانا يُقيم هنا في دولة الإمارات. هل يستطيع أحد تقديم المساعدة لي؟

Q: Dear Sir/Madam, We did not have a marriage certificate at the time of our marriage. I am filing for divorce now, but my wife is demanding a marriage certificate. Do I need to get one?

Q: A question related to divorce between a Pakistani and an Indian national. I'm a Pakistani national (Male, Christian) married to an Indian national (Hindu). The only legal document we have is from the Indian Consulate in Dubai which is a marriage certificate issued by them in 2022. We have not registered our marriage with local authorities in Dubai or the UAE. Through mutual decision, we've decided to part ways. Given the above information, we need assistance in navigating the above. The Indian embassy insists on going to Dubai courts, which to me doesn't make sense since we haven't registered our marriage with local authorities here. Any help and advice would be helpful!

مقال في صورة مقابلة يغطي موضوع طلاق الوافدين في دولة الإمارات والسعي لتطبيق قوانين بلدانهم. مقتبس من المدونة الصوتية القانونية للمحامية لودميلا يامالوفا، مؤسسة مشروع لوجيكال مع لايلو.

UAE Personal Status Law (also known as Personal Affairs Law) governs marriage, divorce, inheritance and other personal affairs in the United Arab Emirates. The law equally applies to citizens of the UAE and non-citizens unless one of them asks for the application of his home country law.