Can I get the custody back from my ex-wife if I am leaving the UAE after losing job?

Questions & Answers

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Can a non-Muslim father claim the custody of his child as per the new personal status law?

Q: Hello, I would love to understand the new child custody laws in-depth for non-Muslim residents. My wife was granted our child's custody in the judgment of the first instance court but I have appealed against it. Having said that, I have a family here in Dubai to support raising my son whereas my wife has only herself (she is currently employed) and has a nanny only. How can I get full custody of our son or maybe apply for joint custody as per the new law?

Mar 1, 2023

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Can I claim the custody of my daughter in the UAE if I already got it from a Pakistani court?

Q: I got a divorce in Pakistan and I have a 3-year-old daughter. My daughter and I live in the UAE and my ex-husband is in Pakistan. He filed a case against me for child abduction/child theft in a Pakistani court. He didn't give me maintenance which the Pakistani court decided. What does the UAE law say about it? What are my rights? I already have custody from the Pakistani court, so can I take custody here too?

Nov 11, 2022

297

Is it possible for a UAE court to oppose a judgment issued by a foreign country?

Q: My ex-wife and I are of the same nationality, non-Muslims. We were married at home country and were divorced back home in Feb 2021. The court back home granted custody to me. The children are 16 and 9 - all living with me in the UAE. They all go to school here in the UAE. However, she refused to go back home and now is an illegal alien living here in the UAE with an expired tourist visa with overstay fines of more than 6000 dhs. She just hired a lawyer here in the UAE to try to take back the custody. Can she do that? Or to be precise, can the UAE court meddle with the court decree of the home country?

Jul 28, 2021

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Legal blog

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The Due Alimony for Wife And Children After Divorce

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

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Custody & Guardianship in the UAE

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

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Laws & Regulations

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Federal Law No. (28) of 2005 On Personal Status

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

49185

Mohamed Fawzy

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How long does it take the court for disbursement labor dues after payment by the employer?

Hi there, I have a labor case that has been ruled in my favor. I filed an execution case & the employer paid the outstanding balance to the court. I requested disbursement and this has been accepted. I have given the court my IBAN & account info. How long does disbursement take? Thanks

May 18, 2023

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Can I pay the fine to close a credit card if the bank asks for huge amount to settle?

Dear Team, I have an issue with my credit card, which was issued in 2013 and I used the same till 2018, all the payments had done on time. Unfortunately, last time in 2018, I was troubled by a financial crisis. Due to the same, I had some amount pending on my credit card, and in 2018, I went to my home country as I lost my job. This year, two months back, I came back to UAE. Now the bank team is asking for a huge amount for the settlement. Could you please advise me on how to close this case with the fine by the court?

May 16, 2023

175

Can I claim my labor rights if my employer did not renew my contract?

I am a doctor by profession, and my contract with my company was valid till June 2023. Last year in September 2022, I canceled my company visa to apply for Golden Visa. After stamping my Golden Visa, my company didn't provide me with a new contract. My question is can I continue working without a new contract? Do I have any rights or claim of my unpaid salaries from the court in such a scenario?

May 14, 2023

202

Can we vacate the tenant after purchasing a new flat in Dubai?

Hi, I bought a flat in April in Dubai with my husband. The flat has a tenant with a rental contract from the previous owner. The tenancy contract expires in June. The tenant has previously committed to leave and now wants to stay. 1. Can we force the tenant to leave as per previous confirmations? 2. If we can't make the tenant leave, can we modify the contract (rent, number of cheques, etc) because we did not sign the original contract?

May 12, 2023

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My friend has been charged with a case of possession of narcotics. How to defend the case?

Dear Lawyers, My friend has been charged with a case of possession of a narcotic substance schedule 3 for personal use, on 1st March 2023. The quantity was very small, maybe 5 gm. The case is now in public prosecution under investigation, and he is currently on a travel ban as well. My question is as per the new law on drugs and as a first-time offense, what would be the verdict? Can he get a new visa and change jobs during this phase? How much time does it take to finish the case?

May 11, 2023

396

Premium

Khaled Ebid

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I purchased a tour voucher from a holiday agency in Dubai and could not use due to a visa issue. Can I still claim it?

I purchased a tour voucher from a holiday agency in Dubai in 2023 worth AED 4239.00, but was not able to use it due to a visa problem. I have constant email and communication through phone with them, and they informed me back then that my voucher will be available and has no expiration date that I can use anytime I want. Now I wanted to use it, so I called them last Saturday, 31st May 2025, and they told me it has already expired due to the new policy. Can I still claim and ask for my money back?

Jun 2, 2025

I’m on overstay since a couple of months. Is it possible for me to get a visa with ongoing cases?

I’ve been on overstay for a couple of months. Is it possible for me to get a visa with an ongoing criminal case, travel ban, and civil cases (judgments issued)? If so, what would be the process?

Jun 2, 2025

Landlord cashed my rent but won’t renew Ejari unless I accept a higher deposit. What should I do?

Hello, I had a rental dispute case with my landlord. Based on the judgment, I paid the entire rent to the landlord, which the landlord has already cashed. He is not issuing the Ejari because he wants to increase the security deposit by 10% every year, which I am not accepting. I have already given the 5% security deposit. The landlord is not accepting it. He is forcing me to sign a new agreement, otherwise he will not renew the lease agreement. Please let me know what I should do.

Jun 2, 2025

Can I travel and return to the UAE during an ongoing labor case against my employer?

Hello, I have filed a case against my employer, and the session is still ongoing in the Dubai court. Can I travel outside the UAE and then come back?

Jun 2, 2025

Cargo from Dubai to India arrived late and damaged. What should I do?

Hello, I had sent a cargo from Dubai to India. I received the cargo late and with 35% damage. My TV, for which I had paid AED 1500 separately as cargo fees, was received after nearly 2 months in a completely damaged condition. The cooking range was received after nearly 6 months and had superficial damage. They are not replying to my emails but are only responding through WhatsApp. Could anyone please guide me?

Jun 2, 2025