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? 

س: أنا إماراتي ومتزوج من الجنسية السورية ولدينا ثلاثة أطفال أعمارهم لا زالت صغيرة، ٤ سنوات الأكبر. اكتشفت عن طريق الكاميرا الجدارية أنها تقوم بالاعتداء على الطفل المصاب بالتوحد. هل أستطيع ضم الحضانة في حال قمت بالإبلاغ عنها؟

Q: Child custody question. Divorce in Dubai. Minor son is 4 years old. If the father is Muslim and mother is non-Muslim, what are the requirements of the father to get custody of the child? Is the relative who has to stay with father required to be a Muslim? Will a 1-bedroom apartment be sufficient?

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.