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: What is the timeframe of a child support case + moral damage case? And will my husband be able to travel out of the UAE once the case is filed? Can he run away?

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: My husband and I are South African & have been married for 6 years. We live in Dubai. He also has a Canadian passport. We were married with an Anti-Nuptial Contract (prenup) but the ANC was not registered, so we are married in community of property. We have nothing between us, no money/kids/assets. My husband did receive inheritance money 2 years ago. I supported us financially for our marriage because my husband worked on commission only job. He refused to find a job that paid a monthly salary. He contributed financially but I carried the bulk of our expenses. I used my own personal savings from before us being married to support us. He promised that when he receives his inheritance he would return my savings, would buy us a house and more. He received this money about 2 years ago and has given me nothing. He is an alcoholic, he has admitted that he has cheated on me by calling a sex line & has been arrested twice due to alcohol. We have been for counselling in the past. I moved out on 5/11/16.

Q: My husband is divorcing and said that he will not pay me any maintenance because I hired somebody to hack his phone because I suspect adultery.

Q: Dear, I am writing this on behalf of my sister in law: "I married this guy almost 15 years ago. He left for a job in the UAE. Now he rarely visits me in Pakistan in years. He also got married to some other Pakistani girl in the UAE. Meanwhile, he is forcing me to live in Pakistan in his own home and does not directly give me the money to take care of myself and my children. He sends the amount to his father and he then assesses my needs and gives me a calculated amount. Is there any law in the UAE through which I can bind him to pay me my expenses or I can take khulaa (separation)?" P.S. The lady is really heartbroken and desperate. Please respond asap, I shall be very thankful.

Q: My husband beats me in front of my daughter and my father. I called the police and they told us to sign a warning paper about any physical or moral damage. How can I punish him for this abuse?

Q: Hi! I’m married to an Emirati man who wants to divorce me, but he doesn’t want to give me the dowry mentioned in the marriage contract in case of divorce. He advises me to ask the divorce cause he said that, in this case, he doesn’t need to pay me the amount mentioned in the marriage contract. We don’t have kids. I’m from Romania and we got married in Dubai. I want to divorce him too cause our marriage is not working anymore but I don’t know what will happen with my alimony in this case. Kindly tell me how I need to proceed. Any advice, please! Thank you!

Q: Dear Madam/Sir, I am from Iran. My fiance is Iranian too and has lived in Dubai for 14 years. I know in Sharia marriage, the wife does not have the right to work, travel, and request for divorce. So, I was wondering, is there any way to get these rights exactly at the wedding? Best regards, G. V.

An interview-format article covering the topic of the legal & psychological effects of COVID-19 on marriage. 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.