Q: I am a Filipina Muslim and my husband is an Egyptian Muslim. We got our marriage in the Egyptian Consulate, Dubai. I found my husband cheating on me since January 2020 and confirmed that he has a new wife (which I have doubt if they are married or not). Since then, I asked him about our divorce. This month of October, he confesses that he is not married to that woman and he wants to go back with me. I refused because I have already decided to end our marriage. He was hurting me and mentally torturing me so I've come up to this point. He's also delaying our divorce so I want to push him to end this ASAP. My questions are: 1. What is the easiest way to finish our divorce fast? Is it mutual consent divorce? or Shall I file divorce against his cheating? 2. What is the difference between divorce in court and divorce in the Egyptian Consulate, Dubai? Because I want to legalize our divorce in the three countries (Egypt, the Philippines, and the UAE). My only concern here is to finish our divorce ASAP so I can live normally again.

Q: Good afternoon, I have an inquiry regarding the divorce procedures in the United Arab Emirates. Brief facts of my situation: I am a US citizen and have been married to a resident of the United Arab Emirates. He is originally from Syria and works in Abu Dhabi, UAE for approximately 40 years. We got married in 2014 in Abu Dhabi where I lived with my husband until 2019. I hoped to create a family with him but he was abusive and I decided to leave him. I came back to the United States on May 5, 2019, and have no intention to go back nor to stay in this marriage. My husband had been informed by me and my family that I want a divorce. I would like to get a divorce as soon as possible. We have no children nor property to share. I can provide all additional information upon further request. Please provide me with the approximate costs to prepare the necessary documents to file the paperwork and how long it will take to obtain a divorce.

Q: My query is about mutual consent for divorce, I would like to know more info about this. My husband and I have been separated for 7 years now since 2013. We tried to reconcile but it was not successful. We both are here in the UAE until now and have different lives already, we have 1 daughter in the Philippines under his mom's care. Support comes from both of us. We talk once in a blue moon if it concerns deeply our daughter. No idea where he lives now in the UAE. I communicate with my daughter through my mother in law. We do not have a joint savings account or property in the Philippines. A long time has been wasted. I would like to file for Mutual Consent for Divorce so my name will no longer be associated with his and we both can move on legally. Please also advise roughly on the cost of the consent for divorce.

Q: Hi, I am an Indian national and coming to the UAE to get settled with my boyfriend. I and my husband are currently living in the UK. But we want a divorce. My husband will stay here in the UK after I move to Dubai. Is there any way I can apply for a divorce in the UAE if my husband is not in the UAE?

Q: A marriage between Greek National and Indian origin was solemnized in India at Delhi marriage courts. Living in Dubai since 2015 as she was based in Dubai and then in Nov of the year 2016, a child was born and she moved back to Greece. Since then, she has disappeared and On 11 Oct 2018, she was granted ex-parte divorce in her home country in Cyprus on many grounds, and the document was shared by her. As the marriage was solemnized and registered in Delhi under the Christian marriage act in India and this document was invalid to grant me a divorce. Hence, in 2019, I filed a case in Delhi seeking divorce against the ex-parte decision received also contesting the grounds of divorce granted. Since then, the lawyer in Delhi has sent three notices through registered post on WhatsApp asking the respondent to be present, however, no response was received. I fought the case in the UAE and got a divorce on the above grounds. Is it valid for submission to the Indian consulate in the UAE? How long will the UAE courts take?

Q: Dear Lawyers, I am a Filipina, Christian, and married in the Philippines but separated for about 7 years now. I am in a relationship with a Muslim guy, and we are planning to get married. Is it possible here in the UAE?

Q: Dear Lawyers, Is it possible to process a divorce in the UAE between two different nationalities (Egyptian & Tunisian) if the marriage took place in Tunisia, or must we go there? Note: We are both residents of the UAE.

Q: Dear Lawyers, I am from the Philippines and have been separated for 3 years. The Philippines does not have a divorce law. I converted to Islam, and my partner is a UAE national. Is it possible to get married here in the UAE?

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.