Q: How can you force your spouse to pay you alimony in the UAE when he committed adultery and I have two young kids? I am a stay-at-home mother.

Q: Hi, I am Indonesian and my husband is French and we got married in Indonesia under Sharia Law. We reside in Dubai with our 3-year old daughter. As we decide to separate, I found out that my husband already has a girlfriend. We agreed to divorce and we drafted an agreement by ourselves, but I feel the amount of child support and maintenance fee is not fair. Before I sign it, I want to ask, is there any specific calculation for child support and wife alimony in Sharia Law? My husband also threatened to take my daughter away from me if I mention anything about his adultery. What is the best and fairest way for me to have my right as a woman, wife, and mother and to also protect my daughter’s wellbeing from her irresponsible father?

Q: My husband is divorcing and said that he will not pay me any maintenance because I hired somebody to hack his phone because I suspect adultery.

Q: Hi, I am a Muslim mother of two daughters, aged 3 and 6. I am in the process of a divorce and my husband has taken my daughters away from me, despite my legal custody of them. I reached out to the authorities, but when I saw my daughters one month later, they refused to come with me. My husband and his childless aunt have manipulated them. I have a good record as a good mother, I work, provide for my daughters, and they have great school records. We participate in many activities. The father is a drug addict and has been in psychiatric care several times (a report will be provided as the court has officially requested it). Additionally, he has not paid for the children's welfare since 2020 and there is an arrest warrant against him. He left the marital home 2 and a half years ago. What should I do to get my daughters back? The aunt is also taking pictures and videos and sending them to social media without my consent as the legal custodian. Can I sue her for this?

Q: Dear Sir/Madam, I am a French resident in the UAE, living in Dubai. I recently got divorced from a UAE national. My husband took my kids away a year ago, and despite having custody granted by the court for over a year, he has not returned them to me. I have attempted to see them at their school (a public school in Dubai), but the principal wouldn't allow me, even though I am the legal custodian and mother of the kids. What can be done?

Q: Hello, I know a divorced couple where the mother holds custody of the child. They are both from Jordan. The father took the child and left to the UAE. Can the mother file a lawsuit against the ex-husband in the UAE since he is there?

Q: I am a Hindu and my husband has filed for divorce in Dubai. We both stay in Dubai. He claimed for custody of our 11-month-old twins. The divorce is because of domestic violence and interference by his mother. I have had a history of epilepsy (a very rare occurrence) since 2011. I have been taking regular medication and working since 2011 as a teacher. The last time I had a seizure was in August 2023 when I was pregnant. No one was hurt although I fainted. My husband is claiming for the custody on these grounds. I have been staying with my kids, all by myself for the past 2 months. My husband has left me and my kids and stays somewhere else. I have worked in the US (2015-16) all by myself and have been working as a teacher in Dubai for 1.5 years. I have been driving in India since 2007 with no accidents or fines. My epilepsy has never affected my profession or lifestyle. I have been to different countries all by myself. Are there fair chances of me getting custody of my 11-month-old twins?

Q: Hello, I have decided to rent a house for my ex-wife and my son (she has custody of him). Now she is refusing to move into the house. Is there anything I can do? Do I still have to pay for housing through the court, or will that stop?

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.

A new civil personal status decree has been introduced in the emirate of Abu Dhabi by His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE and the Ruler of Abu Dhabi. This personal status decree will be applicable for non-Muslim foreigners based in Abu Dhabi in matters of marriage, divorce, Will, inheritance, and custody of children.

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.