Q: I'm an Indian Muslim expat living and working in the UAE. My marriage was solemnized in India. We also have a two-year-old son. Due to irreconcilable differences, I have informed my wife and our families that I wish to file for divorce. My wife has a residence visa valid till May 2019 but she (and my son) have not been in the UAE since December 2018. As I live and work in the UAE, I want to file for divorce here. While my in-laws are ok with a mutual consent divorce in India, my wife will not be returning to the UAE. I would prefer to file for divorce in the UAE as I'm not familiar with the law in India. I also don't want to deal with any potential false charges that could hamper my ability to come back to the UAE. While my in-laws have not indicated any such actions, I want to prepare for the worst-case scenario. I also would want to have legal visitation rights to him, even if he lives in India post-divorce. Can any lawyer help me understand my legal options in this case? Thanks.

Q: Hi. I am in India for the last 5 months and still hold a valid UAE visa. My wife is staying in Dubai and has applied for mutual divorce in Dubai Courts. We are married since 2008 and have no children. Can my wife be granted a divorce in my absentia (ex parte) under the Hindu marriage act? If so, how soon can this be done as we both need the divorce and I am unable to travel to Dubai?

Q: Salam. Would like to know, how one can initiate divorce in the UAE, both husband and wife are willing to separate. How long will the process be, if one goes to court on own? And if one takes assistance from a Lawyer, how fast it can be done and what could be total approx. cost? Thanks

There are rights and obligations for both parties of the marriage contract arise as a result of divorce, which often disputed by the spouses. Here we will explain the due alimony and its types for the wife (divorced - widow) and children after divorce in accordance with the UAE Personal Status Law, Federal Law No. 28 of 2005 and its explanatory memorandum.

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.