Q: I am an Indian married woman staying with my husband and son in Abu Dhabi for the last 10 years. My son and I are on husband's visa. Last year in September, I discovered that my husband has been cheating on me, at least, since the past 2 years or more. I have evidence from his phone. He has accepted his wrongdoings and admitted everything in front of my father and me and has promised to change. However, I've completely lost trust in him. There were times when I suspected his actions and asked him directly but he refused and always said that I should try finding proofs. He also called my sister once to tell her that I was nagging and doubting him. Probably he was playing safe. But since his actions have surfaced up, he projects that he has changed for good. I do not believe him a bit.This has affected and traumatized me to a great extent that I had to seek medical advice from a psychiatrist and it has affected my son too. How can I file a divorce in the UAE? Please advise.

Q: My name is Julia, I am a Muslim. I am married for 7 years already. We have two little children. Recently, my husband, he is a Muslim, admitted to me that he used to have a relationship behind my back for more than a year. This relationship is over. But at the same time, he allows himself to spend time with other girls. And now he's talking about divorce, but not by law. Said to collect my things, take the kids and go home. I need advice, someone can help me? What should I do?

Q: An NRI man claimed that he was divorced and approached me and I'm a divorcee too. When he came down I came to know that he did not get his divorce when I questioned him. He forced for sex, infact raped, video taped it and threatened that would kill my son if i dont agree. Later I had to agree and then he married me and always threatened. Meanwhile during this time I also came to know that he had affairs with many women and cheated a few too. Currently he has affair with his colleague in his office. His sister and brother in law too initially lied that he was a divorcee and later whenever I went to their house they harrased me both physically and abused me badly. I don't have any support or anyone to save me. I'm scared that he would release the video which he took without my knowledge when he had sex with me and kill my son. He ran away to Dubai. I need justice. How can I get justice. He is in Dubai and works for Art Marine LLC. He lived with me in Dubai for 2 months and threatened me not to tell out.

س: أريد معرفة من له حق الحضانة بعد الطلاق بين مسلم وبريطانية، مع العلم أنني أنا من يتكفل بكل مصاريف ابني وحتى مصاريف البيت. يجب أن يعلم أن الأب مستهتر لا يقدر المسؤولية وأنه سجن إثر حادت سيارة بسبب الخمر.

Q: My husband is cheating on me. We are married for 21 years and I always suspected this, but this time I have some proof with a new lady. What are my rights?

Q: Good morning, My husband and I got married 5 years ago in the UK. During Covid, he got a job in Bahrain and left me behind with a little baby. I’ve moved back to my parents in Poland and we were supposed to be reunited after my baby gets her passport. In the meantime, he had an affair with a local lady for 8 months which I wasn't aware of. After one year, he moved to Dubai when I finally managed to be reunited with him on a tourist visa. My husband was supposed to organize everything through his company but he failed to do so. While in Dubai, I found out about his affair. I wanted to leave but he started to use physical and mental violence against me and my daughter. In the meantime, he started another secret relationship which again I found out about. I had to leave Dubai as my visa was finished. Now we are still married and my husband made his relationship public on social media. He doesn’t support me and my baby financially. Can I file a case against him? I’m currently in Poland.

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.