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: 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: My husband and I are both Americans. He wants to divorce in Abu Dhabi, but I don’t want to divorce in here because he is going to leave after divorce. We have been married for 16 years and have a 14-year-old and 12-year-old boys. I want to divorce in America and he wants me to sign the divorce paper. So, do I have the right to reject divorce in the UAE and only accept it in America? Thank you!

س: أريد معرفة من له حق الحضانة بعد الطلاق بين مسلم وبريطانية، مع العلم أنني أنا من يتكفل بكل مصاريف ابني وحتى مصاريف البيت. يجب أن يعلم أن الأب مستهتر لا يقدر المسؤولية وأنه سجن إثر حادت سيارة بسبب الخمر.

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.