Q: My friend is a Hindu and is looking to divorce her husband who is a Muslim. Will the Sharia Law apply in this case? They have been separated for 2 years. They have a house together with a 50-50 share. Will she get any alimony? She is at fault because she sent inappropriate texts to someone and her husband found out. Could you please advise?

Q: Hi, I am currently negotiating a divorce with my wife who is a Russian National. We got married in 2013 in Moscow ZAGs (Registry). I would like to know more about the division of assets upon divorce and what the correct procedures are, as I am in a deadlock with her negotiating. We bought a property in the UAE and both contributed equally towards the down payment. However, moving forward, all mortgage payments were made by me. I am trying to make an agreed settlement with my wife, however, she is asking more than what I feel is fair and equal. If I was to sell the property we would both end up with less. In fact, she will end up with significantly less than what I am offering her. I would like to speak to someone with regards to the divorce proceedings and what the correct procedure is.

Q: I have a house in Dubai that is on my name, as per the title deed. There is also a mortgage. I want to sell the property but my wife who is a resident here threatens me that if I try to do it she will apply to the court for a divorce and it would block the selling process for a longer time. This is putting me, of course, in danger of not meeting a sale agreement terms so I would have to pay a huge penalty to a buyer.

Q: I co-own an apartment in Hanover Square, Dubai but I am unable to obtain the keys for my apartment from the management company as they claim the 2nd owner is supposed to be present for key collection. Unfortunately, the second owner is in Pakistan and with the travel restrictions, he is not able to present himself. I tried getting online POA notarized but failed as I couldn't get a reply. I fail to understand! I am also one of the owners and we are not selling the property, we just want to have the keys so that we can utilize the apartment. We were promised that the keys would be given to us once we clear Dubai Land dept. dues but still are not able to take the keys. We have tried reaching the real estate agent, management company&developers, no replies from any one of those. Only the real estate claims that both owners should be present to get the key, otherwise, I need to keep waiting. Else, I need to bring a notarized POA. Any solution to this bizarre query? I am tired of moving back and forth from my resident city of Al-Ain.

Q: Hello, My husband and I are Indian Muslims living in Dubai for 20 years. We have two children (minor) and we got married in India. He has been cheating on me with other women and now I plan to get a divorce from him. Half his properties are in my name which he had paid for and he has rented them now. I would like to know what are my rights financially as per Sharia law if I decide to claim those properties as I know he will not give me much if I let go of this as I don't have any other support.

Q: My husband and I are Romanian. We got married in Seychelles and live in Dubai. We own an apartment we bought one year ago. I caught my husband using prostitutes. I have proof of it as entry logs to my apartment when I was at work, many girls have visited. I want a divorce. Can my husband claim the apartment as it's jointly in our name? Can he get into trouble for using prostitutes in Dubai?

Q: Dear sir/madam, My wife and I got married in the Netherlands one year ago. Now we live in Dubai and this is also our residence. Now, I have bought a house and paid 100% myself from my bank account. The house is in both our names. Suppose we get divorced, can I still keep the house 100% even if it is on our both names?

Q: Dear Sir/Madam, I am non-Muslim. My ex-wife filed a lawsuit against me with the type "Marital matters non-Muslim." It is regarding money. I want to file a new case against my ex-wife related to money regarding a jointly owned company and a jointly owned house that was established when we were married. I see there is another type of case called "Fund matters non-Muslim." Please guide me on which types of cases are classified as "Marital matters non-Muslim" and which types of cases are "Fund matters non-Muslim." What is the difference? Thank you!

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.

This Law sets the rules and procedures for registration of real property in Dubai. The right to own real property in Dubai is restricted to UAE and GCC nationals, to companies fully owned by these and to public joint stock companies. Freehold ownership by non-UAE nationals may be approved by the Ruler in certain areas.