Questions & Answers
Questions & Answers
8 available 8 • View allDivorce and settlement for Muslim expats in the UAE
2
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.

May 25, 2017
3809
Execution of a court order for wife temporary maintenance
3
Q: I have got an order on temporary maintenance before one month in Dubai family court. Until now, I have not received money from my husband.
What are the steps to be taken?
Please advise.

Oct 23, 2018
2887
Forcing the first wife to live with the second one in the same apartment
3
Q: I have been separated from my husband since July 2019. I live separately with our 10-year-old daughter. He lives in the same building with his so-called second wife and her two boys from her previous marriage.
I am Christian and he was a Hindu when we married in India but he claims to have converted to Islam and remarried. I am a housewife and totally dependent on him.
I would also like to sue him for maintenance as he doesn't give me much. My immediate concern is that he is forcing me and my daughter to move in to a 2 bedroom and live with them.
I am most definitely against this. He said that the contract to my apartment will finish on 25 July. What can I do to avoid getting kicked out by him?
I have only 6 days. Can someone advise me of the quickest action?

Jul 25, 2020
784
Requirements for the second marriage in case of separation from first wife
2
Q: Hi,
I want to marry (divorcee) here in Dubai. I am already married (separated) and my wife and kids are living in Pakistan.
Can I do second marriage here in Dubai without the permission of the first wife? I do send monthly expenses back home to my wife.
Also what documents would I need for the second marriage? I am from Pakistan and the lady am gonna marry is from India.
Would appreciate your guidance.
Thanks

Jan 25, 2021
874
An ex-wife keeps the rental paid for accommodation and lives with her family
2
Q: Greetings,
I have been divorced since 3 years and have been paying my ex-wife yearly rental and have found out that she and my children are staying with her family instead of renting an apartment.
This means that she has been saving money. When I questioned her, she said that it's her choice and also refusing to provide a house contract that she is renting an apartment.
She is now demanding full rental payment and threatening to go to court to make a complaint. What can I do in this situation?
Can I report to the court about the situation or request them to investigate this matter before she makes a complaint or let her proceed and inform the court about the situation once I am contacted and questioned?

Mar 5, 2021
574
Can a husband ask his wife to vacate the house before divorce?

4
Q: Can my husband throw me out of the house?
My husband has asked us to separate. He gave me till the 31st of October to vacate the house. He threatened to put my things at the car park of our house if I refused to vacate by the stated date.
For the past 5 days, he has been sending a reminder every day to vacate the house. He has also canceled my visa under him on the 19th of October. We have 7 years old twin girls together.
He promised to allow me to have the children only if I can get at least a one-bedroom apartment by myself. My place of work has agreed to sponsor my Visa.
My questions are:
Does he have the right to throw me out of the house while we are still legally married?
I understand that he should be the one to provide accommodation, feeding, and other expenses. If he doesn't want us to live together, is this applicable in this situation?
I want to have my children with me, what are his responsibilities and supports towards us if I get them?


Oct 26, 2019
1254
What are the divorce procedures and rights of the wife in Dubai?




1
Q: My sister and her husband are Egyptian Muslims and live in Dubai. There is a problem between them and could end in divorce.
He doesn’t want to divorce her in Dubai, what are her legal rights to file for a divorce in Dubai?
If he refuses to divorce her, can she go and file a case?
If yes, does she have to go back to the house where the husband is?
And finally, what is the process of divorce when it comes from the wife's side?
Thank you





+1
May 22, 2023
1014
Is a working woman eligible for maintenance from her husband upon separation?


1
Q: Hi,
I am an Indian National married to an Indian in India and I am currently not residing with my husband. I stay separately with my son. I have a few questions regarding my case:
1. My request for temporary maintenance towards me and my son was rejected because I am working. Why isn't maintenance given to working women, and how does this affect the final judgment?
2. How long does it usually take from the witness hearing to get the final judgment?
3. Will local courts accept Indian laws if submitted, even if the other party disagrees?
4. If the case goes to the appeal court, will it cause a delay in receiving the money granted during the initial hearing?



Dec 18, 2023
111
Laws & Regulations
1 available 1 • View allFederal Law No. (28) of 2005 On Personal Status 24
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.
Nov 19, 2005
49163

Other answers by
Can a company change the holidays of the UAE for expat employees to their country's holidays? 1
Hello team,
I have a Chinese team in a Dubai-based company, they are working in Dubai itself.
Can we exempt them from Dubai national holidays and provide holidays related to China national holidays?
Can you please suggest something?
Jan 4, 2023
387
What should you do when you get a police call without knowing the reason? 2
I got a call from police yesterday said I should come today to give a statement they didn’t tell me what it’s about.
I’m freaking out, all I know is I owe Etisalat. Apart from that, I don’t have any issues here. Can you help?
Feb 13, 2021
2596
Partner's liability while other partners are outside the country 1
My wife is a partner in a civil company in Dubai. The company has 4 partners; 3 of them are out of the country.
The company bought things for AED 50k which was not paid back and now they filed a case.
What will be the liability for my wife? she is not the manager of the company.
What will be my wife's liability for that company?
Feb 4, 2021
553
Trade license and banking legality for any kind of trading activity 2
Hi Sudhanshu,
Hope you are well.
What are my rights for establishing an e-com business meant for trading outside the UAE.
1) Do I still need the UAE trade license?
2) Can I receive payments in the UAE banks through international online business since I live in the UAE and would be here for some more time?
Best regards,
A.
May 19, 2020
542
Filing criminal and civil cases against a company for cheque bounce 2
Hello,
I hope you're all doing well during this tough time.
I have a question in regards to bounced cheques, specifically corporate cheques.
I have a cheque for AED 800,000, and it has bounced. The owner of the corporate has asked for a month to pay back. However, I am worried he will leave the country and not honour his obligation.
My questions are fairly simple:
1) Am I to put a case on the individual who signed it or the corporate?
1) If I put a criminal and civil case on the corporate right now and he's unable to settle amicably, can I put a travel ban on the owner (who signed) as it is a corporate case?
2) Does the new insolvency law as of late 2019 also apply to corporates?
3) Is the owner personally liable if the company doesn't have assets or cash?
May 14, 2020
1735

Premium
Other answers by
How to reduce agreed salary deductions if they are too high and affect our livelihood? 0
Hello,
I work for a company in the field of technical works related to interior decorations, and during my work, for technical reasons, some materials that belonged to the company and that we use in our work were damaged, and which should have been secured in a certain way.
My coworkers and I were punished by deducting the value of the materials from our salaries, as the company deducted 15 days per month until the full amount was paid.
The first deduction was made last month, which causes us a lot of harm, as it is difficult for us to face living with the remaining amount.
We know that there was a mistake on our part and we agreed to the deduction, but the amount deducted monthly is half of our salaries, which is a very difficult matter.
If we arbitrate the work and workers in the ministry, can the matter be settled on easy terms with the company, or will our request be rejected?
With many thanks in advance!
May 20, 2025
4
If the Public Prosecution appeals a not-guilty verdict with no new evidence, will it stay the same? 0
Hi Sir,
My husband had a judgment where he was found not guilty, as the misdemeanor court stated that it doubts the charges against the accused and found no conclusive evidence except the statements in the report files.
The court considered this invalid because there was no translator. After this, if the Public Prosecution appeals, will the verdict remain unchanged and be upheld if there is nothing more than this
Can you shed some light from your experience on this issue and say if the result will remain the same?
May 20, 2025
19
Am I entitled to take 15 days' leave immediately after my probation period ends? 0
Hello,
I want to apply for 15 days' leave to visit my family immediately after my probation period ends. Is this legal as per UAE labor law?
Thanks in advance for educating me!
May 19, 2025
20
Am I required to replace an old fridge owned by the landlord if it can't be repaired? 0
Hello,
My rental here in Dubai comes with a fridge and cooker. I believe these to be at least 10 years old. The fridge has now stopped working and requires a part to be replaced.
This comes at a cost of 540 AED, which is over the agreed amount that I am responsible for. My Ejari comes with an extra addendum provided by the landlord, which states:
1. The landlord is responsible for major maintenance of the apartment (namely structural, electrical, and plumbing) exceeding 500 AED + 5% VAT. The tenant is responsible for any minor maintenance as needed as a result of wear and tear.
2. The property is leased with the following assets (fridge and cooker) owned by the landlord in working condition and should be returned in the same condition. Any maintenance required is the tenant’s responsibility.
My question is:
If I'm unable to fix this fridge, do I have to provide a new one? The company looking to repair the fridge is having an issue finding the part needed, as it is old.
May 19, 2025
21
How to clear name and go back if you left the UAE with an unpaid personal loan? 0
My brother had a personal loan of 300k.
He lost his job, and the company terminated him, and his visa was cancelled, so he moved back home in 2015. He is trying to find a job back in the UAE.
Is there any way to get him cleaned, paying the court fine?
The bank he had a loan with has been merged with other groups, and he doesn't know who to contact.
Repayment is impossible without a job, and finding a job at the age of 50 is not an easy task.
Appreciate your advice.
Thanks
May 19, 2025
21

Other answers by
الضمانات التي تحصل عليها شركة التمويل مقابل إعطاء قرض 2
حصلت على قرض شخصي وكريدت كارد من مؤسسة للتمويل بإجمالي ٥٠ ألف وتعثرت لفترة والآن يطالبونني بدفع مبلغ ٢٠٠ ألف درهم بالفوائد وكنت أعطيتهم شيك بقيمة ٤٢ ألف وقتها.
سؤالي:
هل يوجد سند لأمر داخل عقد القرض (الأبليكيشن) الخاص بالشركة التي وقعت معها في البداية؟
أم لا يملكون ضمانًا آخر يُمكِّنهم من مقاضاتي به سوى الشيك الذي أعطيته لهم فقط؟
مع جزيل الشكر!
May 19, 2021
522
تقديم دعوى ضد مقاول استلم دفعتين من المال وأوقف العمل 2
هناك مشكلة مع مقاول إذ اتفقنا على بناء ملحق داخل منزل خاص ووقعنا العقد واستلم أول دفعة.
اشتغل حسب العقد واستلم الدفعة الثانية وأوقف العمل ويرفض المواصلة. تبين لي بعدما حاولت أن أقدم شكوى ضده أنه يستخدم ختم وعقد لشركة منتهية في سنة 2013 ولا يوجد لديه أي ترخيص.
كيف أستطيع أن أشكوه وبنفس الوقت أواصل البناء؟
May 20, 2021
1011
Can the wife file for maintenance in the UAE after judgement in home country? 3
My wife and I are non-Muslims. Divorce was settled in our home country court which decided that I am the custodian of the children and no alimony has to be paid to her.
Children are living with me here in the UAE. However, she still resides here in the UAE using a tourist visa. She is planning to file a Maintenance Case against me in the UAE Family Court.
Can she do that?
Am I obliged to pay her alimony?
Dec 7, 2020
1436
ماذا بعد الحصول على حكم في قضية عمالية؟ 4
فصلتني الشركة فصلاً تعسفيًا وقمت بمقاضاة الشركة والحمد لله حصلت على حكم بمستحقاتي المالية من رواتب متأخرة ومكافأة نهاية الخدمة.
تقدمت بطلب تنفيذ ولم تدفع الشركة لي أي مبالغ حتى الآن!
ما الخطوة الواجب فعلها في هذه الحالة؟
Oct 8, 2020
583
Cancellation of an off-plan property and seeking refund 2
Hello
I bought an off-plan apartment with a developer, paid half and the other half was supposed to be paid on receiving the apartment which was supposed to be received end of 2019.
But they postponed it till March 2020, and now the project is way behind and no improvement at all as I'm in phase 2 and they are still building phase one.
What can I do to get my money back?
Sep 26, 2020
734
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