Q: I am an Indian citizen residing in Dubai since 2010 post my marriage which took place in India. I have a 6-year old daughter. I and my husband have mutually agreed to get divorced. I want to know the things which I am eligible to receive from my husband by default. I want help.

Q: We separated with my wife almost a year ago and my 4-year-old daughter stays with me and her nanny in my apartment full-time. I am taking care of all the expenses and supporting her with all needed. And I want everything to be the same after divorcing. Would it be possible for me to get custody in this situation? What are the fees of the family lawyer in Dubai? 

Q: If a married couple is filing for divorce and they have six children, what will happen to the children? The children are between 8-18 years old. My question is, who has the right to take them and take care of them?

Q: Is there a law or decree stating that a child (age 14) cannot be forced to live with one parent, in particular, if they do not want to (after a divorce)? Does the child have the choice?

Q: Hello I need to ask that if a non-Emirati wife seeks a divorce from an Emirati husband, what would be her rights? The husband always threatens her with divorce and wants to be treated as a God. He is always bragging about what he pays for the electricity, house maintenance, water...etc, which is her basic right, and they have a daughter who is 3 years old. So she’s sick of all these threats and unhealthy relationship. He tells her if he divorces her, she will be in a very bad situation. So kindly tell me and guide me what is the law here and what are her rights if she filed for divorce. She’s not working, she’s a housewife and non-local. Married for 5 years only.

س: السلام عليكم، أقدمت زوجتي على سحب ابنتي (٤ أعوام) من المدرسة المُسجَّلة بها والانتقال من إمارة دبي، حيث منزل الزوجية، إلى إمارة أبوظبي وقامت برفع قضية طلاق بأبوظبي حيث تسكن مع أهلها وسجلت البنت بحضانة بأبوظبي. مع العلم باستمرار الزوجية حتى الآن. وقد رفعت دعوى طاعة زوجية وحكمت المحكمة بتسليم البنت لي. إذا لم تستجب الأم وأصرت على مواصلة البنت دراستها بمدرستها وقدمت تظلُّم ورُفض وتم تأييد الحكم وبعدها قامت الأم بعمل استئناف للحكم: ١- هل يمكن أن تنظر محكمة الاستئناف القضية أم سترفضها شكلاً ومضمونًا؟ ٢- هل يمكن أن يتسبب إخراج الأم للبنت من المدرسة في إسقاط الحضانة عنها وانتقالها لي بعد الطلاق؟ ٣- هل يمكن بعد الطلاق أن تُخرِج الأم البنت من مدرستها التي اخترتها وأن تجبرني على نقلها إلى أبوظبي؟

Q: Assalamu Alaykum. Please advise me. My daughter turned 13 and I know my custody already ended. Her father did not support her financially for the last 8 years. He rejected all of the help I asked. Can he file for the custody of my daughter in Dubai Court? Is there any time frame for him to file? Will the court give my daughter to him? Thank you!

Q: I am a UAE national. My husband and I are divorced and were building a house on our government land. We divorced and I applied for a house at Iskan because my parents are dead and it may be likely that I will take custody of my children. I went to Iskan to tell them my situation, they told me I should come back in three years, I have a steady income and it's possible that I will remarry. However, my income is not enough since I will be barely surviving and will not be able to put away savings for my retirement. At this point, the way I would live is no different than an expatriate. I don't have a problem waiting for three years, however, where am I meant to live for 3 years? Not to mention, I'm old enough to receive a pension. Remarrying is out of the picture. I was also told by Iskan that I am not eligible to receive land or a government house since my name was included under the government land that my ex-husband and I were building. There should be loans for women in my situation. Any advice?

س: أنا في الإمارات ولدي طفلين تحت سن الأربع سنوات. زوجي في الكويت منذ ٦ أشهر ولا يسكن معنا منذ سنة ونصف ولا يعمل ولا يساعد بالمصروف. أنا أعمل وأنفق على السكن وكل شيء. ينوي طلاقي لوجود مشاكل وخيانته لي. طلب مني أن أخلعه وأتنازل عن كل شيء وينفق على الأولاد عندما يعمل. هل أخلعه بالإمارات علمًا بأنني لا أستطيع تحمُّل نفقات محامين في الكويت؟ ماذا أفعل إذا طلقني في الكويت؟ وكيف أحصل على نفقات الأولاد إذا تم الطلاق؟ هل يحق له أخذ الأطفال إلى بلده أم أنهم تحت حضانتي ولا يستطيع ذلك؟ هل أستطيع أن أجعله يتنازل عنهم في حال أردت أن أتزوج أو أهاجر؟

Q: Hello. If I applied for Khula'a, will I lose the custody of my children? I am a foreigner married to a UAE national. I have 2 months old baby and 1.4 months old daughter.

Q: Hi, I am a Muslim mother of two daughters, aged 3 and 6. I am in the process of a divorce and my husband has taken my daughters away from me, despite my legal custody of them. I reached out to the authorities, but when I saw my daughters one month later, they refused to come with me. My husband and his childless aunt have manipulated them. I have a good record as a good mother, I work, provide for my daughters, and they have great school records. We participate in many activities. The father is a drug addict and has been in psychiatric care several times (a report will be provided as the court has officially requested it). Additionally, he has not paid for the children's welfare since 2020 and there is an arrest warrant against him. He left the marital home 2 and a half years ago. What should I do to get my daughters back? The aunt is also taking pictures and videos and sending them to social media without my consent as the legal custodian. Can I sue her for this?

An interview-format article covering the topic of custody and guardianship in the UAE. This is from the legal podcast of lawyer Ludmila Yamalova, the founder of Lawgical with LYLAW.

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.