Q: Hi, I am Indonesian and my husband is French and we got married in Indonesia under Sharia Law. We reside in Dubai with our 3-year old daughter. As we decide to separate, I found out that my husband already has a girlfriend. We agreed to divorce and we drafted an agreement by ourselves, but I feel the amount of child support and maintenance fee is not fair. Before I sign it, I want to ask, is there any specific calculation for child support and wife alimony in Sharia Law? My husband also threatened to take my daughter away from me if I mention anything about his adultery. What is the best and fairest way for me to have my right as a woman, wife, and mother and to also protect my daughter’s wellbeing from her irresponsible father?

Q: My name is Julia, I am a Muslim. I am married for 7 years already. We have two little children. Recently, my husband, he is a Muslim, admitted to me that he used to have a relationship behind my back for more than a year. This relationship is over. But at the same time, he allows himself to spend time with other girls. And now he's talking about divorce, but not by law. Said to collect my things, take the kids and go home. I need advice, someone can help me? What should I do?

Q: I am an Indian married woman staying with my husband and son in Abu Dhabi for the last 10 years. My son and I are on husband's visa. Last year in September, I discovered that my husband has been cheating on me, at least, since the past 2 years or more. I have evidence from his phone. He has accepted his wrongdoings and admitted everything in front of my father and me and has promised to change. However, I've completely lost trust in him. There were times when I suspected his actions and asked him directly but he refused and always said that I should try finding proofs. He also called my sister once to tell her that I was nagging and doubting him. Probably he was playing safe. But since his actions have surfaced up, he projects that he has changed for good. I do not believe him a bit.This has affected and traumatized me to a great extent that I had to seek medical advice from a psychiatrist and it has affected my son too. How can I file a divorce in the UAE? Please advise.

س: مرحبًا، أنا في الإمارات العربية المتحدة. طُلقت منذ شهرين. ما زلت أعيش في منزل زوجي السابق مع ابنتي التي حصلت على حضانتها. هو مدين لي. أمرته المحكمة بالدفع وصدرت الموافقة على التنفيذ. أدفع مصاريف مدرسة ابنتي لأنه لم يكن يدفع. لقد أنفقت 35000 على ذلك بالإضافة إلى مصاريف المدرسة لهذا العام. ليس لدي المال للانتقال واستئجار مكان لأنه لا يدفع لي أي شيء. لقد جلب زوجته الجديدة ويهددني ويضايقني لإخراجي من المنزل. يدَّعي أنه سيحتفظ بابنتي ويطردني لأنني ليس لدي منزل وهو لديه. ماذا أفعل؟

Q: Salam Alaykum, I want to inquire about filing for divorce. I know that I must apply for family guidance to start the process. However, while submitting such an application, can my husband live in the same apartment with me, or should he move out during the iddah period? He is an Emirati, and I am an expat; I do not have any other place to stay.

تنتج عن الطلاق حقوق والتزامات تترتب على طرفي عقد الزواج وتكون في الأغلب موضع خلاف بين الزوجين. وسنوضح هنا نفقات الزوجة (المطلقة - الأرملة) والأبناء بعد وقوع الطلاق وأنواعها طبقاً لقانون الأحوال الشخصية الإماراتي، القانون الاتحادي رقم 28 لسنة 2005 ومذكرته الإيضاحية.

أصدر صاحب السمو الشيخ خليفة بن زايد آل نهيان، رئيس دولة الإمارات العربية المتحدة وحاكم أبوظبي، مرسومًا مدنيًا جديدًا للأحوال الشخصية في إمارة أبوظبي. يُطبَّق مرسوم الأحوال الشخصية هذا على الأجانب غير المسلمين المقيمين في أبوظبي في مسائل الزواج والطلاق والوصية والميراث وحضانة الأطفال.

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.