Questions & Answers
Questions & Answers
3 available 3 • View allRight of the wife to claim custody in the UAE after losing it in home country
1
Q: My ex-wife and I are of the same nationality, non-muslim. We were married back home and divorced back home in Feb 2021.
The court granted custody to me. I live with my children here in the UAE. The children are 16 and 9.
She refused to go back home and now is an illegal alien in the UAE having an expired tourist visa.
She threatened me to go to court here to take back custody. Can she do that?

Jun 27, 2021
267
Filing a divorce case in the UAE while the same case is filed abroad
5
Q: Hi,
If I have already filed for divorce in a foreign jurisdiction, the papers have been served and my spouse has responded, is it then possible for them to try and file for divorce in the UAE?
Additionally, they are seeking a "settlement agreement" in the UAE, which I have declined as the matter is already before the court overseas? Is this possible?

Dec 17, 2020
708
Legal assistance in drafting a divorce settlement agreement

1
Q: Dear Team,
I would like to know what might happen in the conciliatory procedure. I filed a divorce against my husband and I was called for an appointment. I assume it is for this procedure. Please advise.
How can I draft a settlement agreement? How much possibly it might cost if I will consult a lawyer about this? Maybe you can refer me an adviser with regards to this concern that can charge me less.
I am just a normal worker seeking justice for my child.
Regards,
G.


Sep 23, 2018
1995
Legal blog
3 available 3 • View allOnline POA and Other Notary Public Services in the UAE 28
With the introduction of the new procedures for obtaining a power of attorney (POA) remotely in the UAE, after it was mandatory to appear in person in front of the notary public as a global rule to ensure the identity and intention of the person requesting a POA, we put between your hands this brief guide for how you get it done.
Jun 8, 2021
19212
Choosing the Jurisdiction of Expatriate Divorces in the UAE 7
An interview-format article covering the topic of divorce for expatriates in the UAE and seeking to apply the laws of their countries. This is from the legal podcast of lawyer Ludmila Yamalova, the founder of Lawgical with LYLAW.
Feb 13, 2020
2932
Personal Status Law for Non-Muslim Foreigners in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi 8
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.
Nov 9, 2021
2548
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
49096

Premium
Other answers by
830 830 answers •
View allMy tenant was supposed to vacate as per the contract. Can I rent the property to another tenant? 0
Good morning.
My tenant was supposed to vacate the property on 15th April 2025 as per the contract.
Now he is not answering the phone, and the property is still in use.
Please guide the way forward. I have already rented the property to a new tenant.
Apr 16, 2025
31
Do smart police stations in Dubai override official filing hours for legal deadlines? 0
Dear Lawyers,
The case needs to be filed during official working hours, on a subsequent working day (if the last day falls on an official holiday), in Dubai.
With Smart Police Stations operating 24/7, how are these situations considered?
Should the case be filed during working hours, say before 3 PM, etc.?
Apr 16, 2025
22
How can we recover a salary advance to a new employee if he fails to come to duty and uses alcohol? 0
As the HR manager of a company, I have issued a salary advance to the employee. Upon joining, he failed to go to duty and used alcohol daily in the camp.
I have a signed thumb-impression cash receipt. What options do I have to recover the AED 7000 advance paid to the employee?
Please help.
Regards,
B.
Apr 16, 2025
40
Am I allowed to wear a burka during the divorce hearing at the family court? 0
Hello,
Am I allowed to wear a burka during the divorce hearing at the family court?
Apr 16, 2025
49
Can I use my husband's case number to get information about his exit date? 0
Hello,
I have my husband's case number. Can I get information about his exit date using the case number?
Fujairah Jail.
Apr 16, 2025
25

Premium
Other answers by
3210 3210 answers •
View allCan a Muslim convert marry in the UAE while separated from a non-Muslim ex-husband? 0
Hello,
I have been separated for 7 years from my late ex-husband in the Philippines.
I am a converted Muslim since 2016, and my ex-husband was not Muslim.
Can I marry my Egyptian fiancé here in the UAE?
Apr 7, 2025
139
A brand new car keeps breaking down. What should I do? 0
Hello,
I bought a brand new car. After 2 weeks, it completely shut down while driving. It got fixed. Then, a few weeks later, when driving on the highway, the whole car started to shake.
They have taken the car back in and are saying it will take 3–4 weeks to repair. I don’t trust the car and am not happy with the car dealership for selling me a car that clearly had faults.
What should I do?
Apr 4, 2025
72
How can I pay the rent after selling the property if neither the old nor the new owner is clarifying this? 0
My current landlord has sold the building I live in, and my rent cheque was due to be presented on April 1st. I contacted the new landlord and the current landlord about my rent cheque.
My current landlord advised that they had withdrawn the cheque and presented it to the new landlord. However, the new landlord has ignored three requests for clarity on how to pay my rent, which is now overdue.
What are my options here?
I am attempting to pay the rent, but they are unresponsive.
Apr 3, 2025
70
How can I request the free zone authority to waive my license renewal fines after they agreed on it? 0
Hello,
"Late renewal charges" for my freezone license are adding up.
Last year, the free zone refused to waive the late renewal charges, but then agreed to do it. Still, it had to be approved by the free zone director and then by the Dafza general director, which took about a month.
It was a month during which I had an office this time. Still, no license to operate, and for 2025, the accountant is late because he promised to deliver the audit report in early January, and then was away on pilgrimage.
I found out this week, I also have a medical certificate because I am not in condition to work and can renew it by any doctor in the UAE right now, so I have to pay a 6-month fine, which is a total of AED 6000.
The free zone this time does not want to waive off anything and blames me for the situation.
Is there a way that I can pay and dispute the late renewal fines later?
Or paying means I accept and can't dispute?
It is clear that I was wronged initially, even for the lease, which they partially admitted to last year.
Apr 3, 2025
63
I have a case in Sharjah for a rental dispute. How do I find the case number? 0
Hello,
I have a case in Sharjah for a rental dispute.
How do I find the case number?
Apr 3, 2025
90

Other answers by
54 54 answers •
View allHow long does it take the court for disbursement labor dues after payment by the employer? 0
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
1409
When to execute a final labor judgment and how does it cost? 0
Dear Sir/Madam,
I just received a final labor judgment. Is there a time frame within which I must start the execution file?
And how many days do I have after the verdict date to start the execution file?
Finally, please provide a quote for managing the execution process from start to finish.
May 4, 2023
333
Can I pay the fine to close a credit card if the bank asks for huge amount to settle? 0
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
159
Can I claim my labor rights if my employer did not renew my contract? 0
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
179
Can we vacate the tenant after purchasing a new flat in Dubai? 0
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
984
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