Q: I have given divorce to my wife on 3 multiple occasions as per her wish to force me to give her divorce verbally, then she came to Dubai on a visit visa along with my kid. She has requested me to sponsor her with a wife visa just for few months. She has convinced me and I sponsored her with my kid. Now for 2 years, I am telling her to cancel the visa as she promised but instead, she is blackmailing me. During these 2 years, I took all my child's expenses. She is trying to get the child's full custody and she will not allow me to meet my child. Even now she blocks all my contact and shifts her house to another area. Kindly advise!

Q: We are in the process of getting a divorce and we have 3 kids. Custody will likely be given to the wife and guardianship to father. Can she take the kids and move from our current home in Dubai to Abu Dhabi just because she works there? Our family has lived in Dubai since 2004, my current job and kids school are also based in Dubai. Please advise.

Q: Greetings, I appreciate the information. A spouse opens a case for divorce based on false accusations and lies which result in ruining the partner’s reputation, causing mental stress and financial damage. Since the divorce was denied by the appeal court, can the affected partner open a case of defamation or disobedience? The spouse refuses to live with her husband for more than 16 months and holding the kids from seeing or speaking to father and holding the kids' passports. The husband has tried hiring three different lawyers to help his cause but made it more complicated and financially very difficult. Please advise

Q: Hello, My ex-wife, divorced, is making false complaints about me to Dubai police. I have been to Dubai police 4 times and all complaints were dismissed at the same time. I wish to know how to stop my ex-wife from making false complaints. Thank you!

س: السلام عليكم، خرجت الزوجة من بيت الزوجية بدون علم وإذن الزوج ولمدة 8 أشهر مع فشل كل محاولات الصلح وأخذت طفلها معها. هل يجوز أن يكون ضمن طلبات دعوى الطاعة الزوجية إلزامها بتمكين الزوج من رؤية طفله؟ علمًا بأن الطفل عمره أقل من سنة.

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?

Q: I have shared joint custody orders issued in France for my child, which are recognized and enforced by Dubai Courts. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to see my 3-year-old child for several months due to the mother’s non-compliance with the handover arrangement, despite fines being imposed for these violations. The police are assisting in supervising the handover process; however, because it takes place in the presence of the mother, it has become challenging. At only 3 years old, the child is too young to form an independent opinion about these arrangements and is currently under the mother’s influence. This raises concerns about ensuring the custody orders are effectively implemented. To my understanding, the police are limited to a supervisory role and may not have the authority to enforce the physical handover. Can Dubai Courts take steps to ensure the handover is carried out as ordered? If so, how would this process be enforced to uphold the custody arrangement?

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.

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.

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.

A new civil personal status decree has been introduced in the emirate of Abu Dhabi by His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE and the Ruler of Abu Dhabi. This personal status decree will be applicable for non-Muslim foreigners based in Abu Dhabi in matters of marriage, divorce, Will, inheritance, and custody of children.

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.