Questions & Answers
Custody of children and ex-wife's residence visa after divorce
I had divorced my wife at her request last month. I don't know what the next step would be; like for visa cancelation because she is under my sponsorship.
She can change any time her office. After the divorce, my wife will leave me. We have kids; a 7-year old boy and a 13-year old girl. She opened a custody case also but I couldn't get any paper from the court.
Can I ask her to leave my house? Or can I leave and take my children to another house?
Please advise!
Dear Questioner,
Pursuant to your query, I have given the answers below:
1. Regarding visa - your wife has an option to obtain a visa independently, to enable her to remain living in the UAE. This could be via full or part-time employment, or through the setting up of a free zone company.
2. Regarding the house, we need to review the divorce judgment for this.
3. Regarding custody, under articles 78, 146, and 156 of the UAE Personal Status Law, a mother would have custody of children on divorce until the boy is 11 years and the girl is 13 years. After this, custody could revert to the father if he applies for it.
Thus, the boy's custody will be with the mother, and custody of the girl will be with the father after the girl crosses 13 years of age.
You can contact us via phone or email for assistance in this regard.
Regards
Sunil
