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: Hi, I am currently negotiating a divorce with my wife who is a Russian National. We got married in 2013 in Moscow ZAGs (Registry). I would like to know more about the division of assets upon divorce and what the correct procedures are, as I am in a deadlock with her negotiating. We bought a property in the UAE and both contributed equally towards the down payment. However, moving forward, all mortgage payments were made by me. I am trying to make an agreed settlement with my wife, however, she is asking more than what I feel is fair and equal. If I was to sell the property we would both end up with less. In fact, she will end up with significantly less than what I am offering her. I would like to speak to someone with regards to the divorce proceedings and what the correct procedure is.

Q: I have a 3-year-old son who is currently being diagnosed with a disease that requires immediate medical attention and enough funding to avoid complication in his heart. Prior to this situation, I have asked his father months ago of his paternal obligation and financial support to our son but he has intentionally ignored us up to this date because he has a new family but they know of my sons' existence. I am very much desperate considering that time is very important and I don't have enough money to support the medical needs of my son. How can I oblige the father who is currently working in a big company in Dubai and does nothing on this matter?

Q: Dear Sir, My husband and I are separated. I have a 7-month-old baby to whom he provided no support whatsoever, however, he is holding all her IDs with the intention of harming me. Would it be possible to open a case and ask to be the guardian and custodian of the baby, so that all the rights will be with me and the so-called father will have no responsibilities nor rights over the child? Thank you. Best regards, Fatma

Q: My ex-husband and I just received the final divorce judgement from the court. I was granted custodianship of my daughter along with both her Jordanian passport and Canadian passport (I am her sponsor). If I wanted also to enforce a travel ban in the UAE, how much should this cost approximately? Or can I file it myself? Is it just an application request or an actual court procedure?

Q: Dear Ma'm, I am an Indian (Christian) staying in Sharjah with my wife and 3+ years old daughter. My visa is from AUH, and hers is from Dubai. We got married in 2009. Since the past few years, she had been torturing me mentally and also after the child is born, she made a lot of issues and there were incidents which she unnecessarily dragged me to police stations with complaints against me. She is suffering from BPD- a mental problem and is so arrogant that she always says that she will either self-kill, kill the child or me. I tried my level best to save her, myself and the child (with police-Dubai Court-Hospitals-Churches-Counselling), but no use. Now, she started saying gossips about me and our maid, still, she wants the maid at home. When I asked, she said she has some plans. Ma'am, this is my second attempt to write here, but it seems just 1000 characters are not enough to explain my issues. Kindly let me know your email ID so that I can send a detailed mail to you. Regards KPT

Q: I am from Nepal. My wife and I are here in Dubai working for different companies. Now I know my wife is going to travel from the UAE to another country but I want to go to home country Nepal. We both have a joint bank account and we send all money to that account so I don't have any money with me. I requested her to go to Nepal together divide the money equal but she doesn't want to go. I really want to make for her travel ban from the UAE to other countries but not the home country. Can I do it or not? Her passport under my name is showing I am her husband. Please advise me.

Q: Hello, I'm an Arab ex-pat living in the UAE my entire life. I have been married for 15 years. I have two boys and a good job, and I've been a good wife and mother. Unfortunately, my husband has left me for the past year and is staying with another woman. He sends me limited expenses and visits his children monthly. I've tried to reconcile with him but to no use. I have two questions: I prefer not to get a divorce as I yet have hope, but is there a way I can claim maintenance from him and how is this maintenance calculated? If I get a divorce, what happens to the custody of my children? Noting that they are both boys and the eldest is 14? My eldest is an autistic child who needs special support which his father can't provide, and I'm deeply concerned if he requests custody of this child. Thank you!

An interview-format article covering the topic of divorce for expatriates in the UAE and seeking to apply the laws of their countries. This is from the legal podcast of lawyer Ludmila Yamalova, the founder of Lawgical with LYLAW.

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.