Questions & Answers
Questions & Answers
8 available 8 • View allCost and proceedings of a mutually-agreed divorce in the UAE
9
Q: Salam.
Would like to know, how one can initiate divorce in the UAE, both husband and wife are willing to separate.
How long will the process be, if one goes to court on own? And if one takes assistance from a Lawyer, how fast it can be done and what could be total approx. cost?
Thanks

Feb 8, 2018
6855
Responsibilities of the husband toward the wife and daughter after divorce
1
Q: Hi,
I am planning to divorce my wife we are married for 4 years with a 3-year-old daughter.
I just want to know to whom custody of the kid will go after the divorce. Do I need to take care of my wife's and kid's expenses or will be any sort ot penalty which I need to pay at the time of divorce?
Please note all mehar was settled at the time of nikah only.

May 11, 2020
696
Understanding the rights of a husband before divorce


1
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.



Apr 29, 2019
767
What happens once the family counselor passes the case to the judge?
2
Q: Hello,
What happens once the family counselor passes the case to the judge?
Does the judge make the decision on the same day or does he give time?
And how much time does it take?
Kindly advise!

May 26, 2022
235
What happens when trying to settle a marital dispute?

1
Q: Dear Sir/Madam,
I got divorced 2 years ago, and now my ex-wife has registered a "Marital Matters Non-Muslim" lawsuit against me. It is currently in the "friendly settlement" stage at the "Correction and Guidance Department" under the control of a "reformer family counselor."
Question 1: I have heard that there are two types of settlement attempts. The first attempt is made to settle, and if settlement is not reached, no further action is taken. The second attempt is made to settle, and if settlement is not reached, the litigants are given a paper authorizing them to start a lawsuit in the personal status court. Which of these types of settlement attempts does this current lawsuit fall under?
Question 2: Is it possible to claim lack of jurisdiction at this stage?
The matter that my ex-wife has raised is related to a loan that I gave her. Loans are not controlled by personal status law, even if the loan was between spouses.


Apr 25, 2023
207
How to contact the court to file a divorce after finishing the conciliation sessions? 

1
Q: Salam Aleykum,
Please, I request your help. I have a case in Dubai Court about a divorce request. I had all the Conciliation Sessions and I finished that on Feb 14.
The Conciliator asked me to request an appointment with the judge to explain to him my case. But supposedly the Court should send me an email with the document needed to request the appointment and I am still waiting for it until now.
So, where can I complain about it or ask where is the document?
I wrote many times in different emails in the Court but no one answered me. I am super worried because he told me in 2 months it will expire if I don’t request the appointment.
He won't answer my WhatsApp or the phone.


Feb 28, 2024
88
Can I file for mutual divorce from Dubai as an Indian resident and my husband works in Saudi?




0
Q: Needed to know if I am eligible to file for mutual divorce as an Indian expat living in Dubai and holding an Indian passport and also have Canadian PR.
My husband is a Canadian citizen working in Saudi on a work visa.
What are my rights?
Can I ask for alimony?
Can I file for divorce from Dubai?
I have no children from the marriage.





+5
Mar 21, 2025
84
How can I ensure my Dubai mutual divorce decree is valid in India?




1
Q: Hi,
I've got a mutual divorce decree from the Dubai Courts.
Is there anything else I need to do to ensure its validity in India?
Thanks!





Mar 28, 2025
68
Legal blog
3 available 3 • View allThe Legal & Psychological Effects of Mental Well-being on Marriage 0
An interview-format article covering the topic of the legal & psychological effects of COVID-19 on marriage. This is from the legal podcast of lawyer Ludmila Yamalova, the founder of Lawgical with LYLAW.
Mar 29, 2021
528
The Due Alimony for Wife And Children After Divorce 19
There are rights and obligations for both parties of the marriage contract arise as a result of divorce, which often disputed by the spouses. Here we will explain the due alimony and its types for the wife (divorced - widow) and children after divorce in accordance with the UAE Personal Status Law, Federal Law No. 28 of 2005 and its explanatory memorandum.
Jul 13, 2019
17900
Custody & Guardianship in the UAE 4
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.
May 6, 2021
3079
Laws & Regulations
1 available 1 • View allFederal Law No. (28) of 2005 On Personal Status 24
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.
Nov 19, 2005
49054

Premium
Other answers by
337 337 answers •
View allCan a debt agency access AECB reports without consent for a 15-year-old closed case? 0
Dear Respected Lawyers,
Subject: Request for Legal Advice Regarding Unlawful Practices by a Debt Collection Agency
I would greatly appreciate your advice and guidance regarding a troubling issue my colleague is facing with a collection agency.
The company has been contacting the employer, urging them to ask my colleague to get in touch with them regarding a supposed liability.
This claim is related to a 15-year-old closed dispute with a bank credit card, and the issue seems to stem from outdated and inaccurate information on the AECB report.
Our main concerns are as follows:
Unauthorized Access: The company is accessing her AECB report without her consent. She has never given permission for them to retrieve or view her personal financial information.
How is it possible for a third-party agency to openly access and track AECB reports, especially for a dispute that was resolved 15 years ago?
Apr 8, 2025
74
I was evicted from my apartment to be sold but it was gifted and rented at a higher price. What can I do? 0
I was evicted from my apartment after living there for five years. My landlord informed me a year in advance that the lease would not be renewed because he intended to sell the property.
Prior to this, he attempted to impose a rent increase that was not compliant with RERA regulations, which I refused to accept. He then served me with an official Dubai Court eviction notice, citing the need to take back the property for sale.
Five months after I moved out, I discovered the property was rented out at a much higher price. Upon further investigation, I found that the ownership was transferred as a "Gift" rather than a sale.
This makes it seem like the eviction was only to raise the rent rather than a genuine need to sell.
Do I have a valid case for wrongful eviction against my landlord?
Also, under Dubai law, does transferring ownership as a "Gift" hold the same legal grounds as selling in justifying eviction?
Dec 18, 2024
87
Can I file a case for cyberbullying or defamation after my ex-wife's abusive messages? 0
Hello,
My ex-wife has abused me in chat and called me the following: illiterate, beggar, and said that I don’t have [------].
She called me a bad parent and a bad son.
Can I file a cyberbullying, defamation, or abuse case against her? What are my options?
Jan 3, 2025
106
I invested money in a business but my partner is removing me out from partnership. Can I pursue legal action? 0
Hi
I'm an Irish citizen and a resident of the United Kingdom. I got investment fraud in Dubai. I invested money into a business with a Pakistani national guy in March 2024 via bank transfer into his business account.
Now he's giving back the money which I invested in business after 9 months. He's preparing a letter from a local lawyer to kick me out of the business. I do not have any other option than to take out at least my money.
But it's unfair to me that he used my money in business and took all the advantage.
Some people say to me that if you claim money or take legal action against him, it will take too much time and I need to travel to Dubai to appear in court because it is a civil matter. But I'm not a resident.
How can I follow the civil case there?
That's why my partner knows that I can not do anything and this case keeps running long time and in the end nothing happens. But I'm thinking that I will submit a complaint through my embassy and I also have a solicitor in the United Kingdom.
Dec 24, 2024
48
Seeking justice and compensation for wife's loss due to medical negligence during childbirth 0
Dear Lawyers,
My relative lost his wife during childbirth due to clear medical negligence, as stated in the report from the DHA medical committee.
He had to relocate to India due to the situation and is currently working there.
Please guide us on the steps to take for justice and compensation.
Dec 19, 2024
75

Premium
Other answers by
240 240 answers •
View allHow to change the lease contract for an entity that changed from sole establishment to LLC? 0
Good morning.
Kindly help me out with the below query:
If a sole establishment is converted into an LLC, what would happen to the existing Lease Agreement with the Sole Establishment as the tenant?
Thank you.
Aug 23, 2024
115
Bank filed a civil case over a loan: Better to settle with the bank or in court? 0
Good day, Sir,
I have received a message from the Dubai Court stating that a bank has filed a civil case against me. The loan has been pending since February 2019.
I cleared the cheque bounce case earlier with a court fine in 2019. I am looking forward to a minimum settlement plan with the bank. The outstanding amount was around 70,000 AED, and now the message is for 115,000 AED.
What will be the best way for me to proceed: approaching the bank or dealing with it in court?
Best regards,
Jul 7, 2024
521
Is it legal for my employer to withhold my salary until I leave the country or change status? 0
Hello,
I have given my notice, and my last day is July 24, but the employer is refusing to pay my salary; even the salary for June. Is this even legal?
He claims I'll get everything at once, which is after leaving the country or changing status.
Jul 2, 2024
529
Demanding that an employee pay for visa charges a year after resigning 0
Dear Lawyers,
I worked at a bakeshop here in Dubai. I resigned exactly one year ago. Now they want me to pay for visa charges, as stated in the offer letter.
If I cannot pay for the charges, my employer will claim financial loss due to the damages, estimated to be at least 7,000 AED.
What should I do about this? My monthly salary is only 2,800 AED.
Jul 1, 2024
115
Is an employee eligible for maternity leave in the first three months of pregnancy? 0
Dear Lawyers,
Is an employee eligible for maternity leave in the first three months of pregnancy?
If an employee takes sick leave in the first three months of pregnancy, can it be considered normal sick leave or maternity leave?
Jul 1, 2024
171

Premium
Other answers by
35 35 answers •
View allConverting an unlimited contact to a limited one without the employee's knowledge 0
Hi,
I am resigning from my company after working for 3 years. I signed another contract after the first 2 years were completed.
I was under the impression that the entire time my contract was unlimited but now I am being told that it was changed to limited.
Not only was this done without my knowledge but I am now being told that legally I am not entitled to ANY gratuity after 3 years because I am resigning before my 2 years is finished. Is this legal?
Sep 1, 2021
588
The employer got all necessary documents but did not processed the visa 0
Hello,
I joined my employer in Dubai mainland 5 months ago. I gave him all the documents necessary for visa processing including the visa cancellation letter, but since then, he has not processed the visa.
I am now in overstay.
Dec 20, 2021
446
Can the employee take annual leave before finishing one year in service? 0
Hi,
I am an employee working here in Dubai, UAE for 10 months now.
I'm planning to file a leave for 2 days, however, my colleague informed me that as per the company policy, they consider it as absent then I will get a full basic + accommodation only.
So I am confused now because this was not the practice in the previous company. Appreciate it if I could get free advice on this matter.
Dec 8, 2021
1542
Signing cancelation documents before getting the compensation 0
Dear sir/madam,
My employer asked for my termination and we agreed on the amount to be compensated.
Is it right for me to sign any cancelation documents before getting my money?
Dec 8, 2021
445
What to do if the new employer renewed my ID and visa without giving me a contract? 0
Hi.
My new employer renewed my ID and visa. The only thing is that when my Emirates ID and visa were done, they didn't show me any contract nor did I sign it.
They didn't provide me with a copy of it. So I want to ask if I can complain regarding this matter?
Thanks in advance.
Dec 8, 2021
921
Get quotes from lawyers
Find the right lawyer for your legal needs.
Submit your request and get multiple
competitive offers from
qualified lawyers.
Popular Q&A
View all Looking for something else?
Ask for advice from a lawyer