Q: Hi, In the case of divorce, child custody will go to who? I am the mother and my baby is 5 months old. Is there a chance that the child will be given to the father? And what are the reasons if the child will be given to the father and not the mother?

Q: (1) How much maintenance percentage is required to be paid by a husband (working) who divorces his wife (not working) and has one daughter to support? (2) We are British citizens living in the UAE and own a home in the UK. Will the UAE law force me to rent additional accommodation for her when I can provide a home in the UK? Many thanks

Q: Hi, I’ve been married for 7 years with two beautiful children and we are expats living in Dubai (British). We decided to get divorced and I wanted to understand my rights in regards to the family name as she’s in media and uses my children as pawns on social media sites. She also puts up pictures that I don’t want to be associated with my family for legal reasons (alcohol-related as she doesn’t have a license and hosts paid media events illegally). Can I force her to change her surname? Do I have any rights over what pictures of my children are put up on media platforms? Do I have any rights over my family name relating to social media? Thank you

Q: My husband moved out of my house and he is coming to the house every day to visit his son without notifying me. His visit timings were 9 pm - 10 pm when we are all about to sleep. I've told him he can't keep on coming late at night but he ignored me. I am a working mom from 9-6 pm. Our divorce case has been filed by me and we already attended 2 conciliation sessions without reaching an agreement. I don't like these visitations at home especially the timings he wanted but he is just doing what he wants. Is there any way I can get restricted child visitation now since our case has no judgment yet? I asked him to get a court order for visitation, but he doesn't seem to care. How can I restrict him from coming to my house? If I don't open the door, he will call the police. Thank you for your advice!

Q: My wife and I have separated already 2 years and right now we decided to get divorced. We already opened a case for non-Muslim. She took my daughter to Spain to stay with her mother and she came back to Dubai alone a month back. She doesn't let me talk to my daughter AT ALL. She also told her mother to block me. And even my mother, who lives in the same city, not allowed to visit her. Since she took my baby to Spain, she allowed me to do a video call with her only 2 times (she is there already 2 months). And since mid of Sept, she allowed me to see baby only 1 time before she travelled with her. Before we initiated the divorce I could to call my baby every 2 days. We were taking turns to take care of her (1 week she is staying with me and 1 week with her). I know that I have a right to see and talk to my baby but she doesn't let me. Even right now she blocked me again for a week already and her mother too. Is there anything I can do in this case?

Q: Dear sir/madam, I got divorced in Dubai. I have a 7-month-old baby. My husband is warning if I file a case of maintenance, he will not allow my son to travel out of the UAE for any reason. What best can I do in this case and he himself is moving to the UK?

Q: Dear Questioner, If a mother is given an arrest warrant which was wrongly put, what happens? If the child doesn’t want to go for visitation even though the mother is encouraging, would she still get arrested?

Q: Dear Sir/Madam, Can I sue my father-in-law for interference and discord in my marriage? My father-in-law has been holding my 2.5-year-old son since May 30, 2023. I have not seen or heard from him or my wife since then. They are in Abu Dhabi, and I am in Dubai. My father-in-law manipulated my wife to file for divorce against me. The first case was rejected, but she has filed a second case. I know that my father-in-law is controlling everything. My main question is: Can I file a case against my father-in-law personally for interference and causing discord in my marriage for years in Dubai court?

Parents have welcomed the UAE’s new child protection law which is a pivotal source to help to provide children and youngsters with ​a safer and happier living in the UAE.

Winning the Lawttery - what it means to 'win at all costs' in the courtroom and what are the implications of a legal victory. UAE lawyer Diana Hamade shares through this article tips on winning legally while navigating through all possible ways to avoid losing while winning.

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.