Q: I'm an Indian Muslim expat living and working in the UAE. My marriage was solemnized in India. We also have a two-year-old son. Due to irreconcilable differences, I have informed my wife and our families that I wish to file for divorce. My wife has a residence visa valid till May 2019 but she (and my son) have not been in the UAE since December 2018. As I live and work in the UAE, I want to file for divorce here. While my in-laws are ok with a mutual consent divorce in India, my wife will not be returning to the UAE. I would prefer to file for divorce in the UAE as I'm not familiar with the law in India. I also don't want to deal with any potential false charges that could hamper my ability to come back to the UAE. While my in-laws have not indicated any such actions, I want to prepare for the worst-case scenario. I also would want to have legal visitation rights to him, even if he lives in India post-divorce. Can any lawyer help me understand my legal options in this case? Thanks.

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 lawyer! I need an expert advice from you. I was married 3 years back and my husband and inlaws cheated me on his medical condition (i.e. he had both kidneys removed and transplanted his mother kidney). A year after my marriage, I was pressured and tortured for not having a baby. I was very worried, and hence, got all my tests done and alhamdulillah everything was normal. The doctor also checked my husband and as a result, his reports were negative and the reason for that was associated with his transplant and medicines. He and his family behaviour is getting worse day by day, and hence, I am planning to get a divorce from him and wanted to know my legal rights and process to go further. I am living with my parents since 9 months and my husband hasn't supported me in any way. Now, he has started defaming me on social media also. I would be very thankful if you can help me in this regard.

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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.