Q: Good day, I am a South African citizen married to a Romanian citizen under the Romanian law. [We were married in the Romanian embassy in Qatar and issued a Romanian marriage certificate.] We are residents of the UAE since 2006. Each of us has worked under own company sponsorship. Our marriage has now come to an end. I wish to have the divorce proceedings taking place here in the UAE although I am certain that my wife wishes to have it done in Romania. We have assets both in Abu Dhabi and Romania. Two properties each in both countries fully paid off. Will it be possible to start the divorce proceedings from my side here in the UAE (Abu Dhabi) even if she is unwilling to do so? Many thanks, Marius Strydom

Q: NRI approached me on a matrimonial website saying he was divorced and showed me a paper in Arabic, then married me in 2015 in India. Later, I realised he was waiting for divorce when I questioned him as I came to know, and he convinced me that he will register my marriage soon. Now, it's been 2.5 years since his divorce, in which I went through a lot of struggle to keep this marriage but he intends to cheat and desert me. I am also working in Dubai now and living with him Sharjah in the same flat. With a lot of struggle, I made him take me as he married me but I know he plans to throw me out forcefully knowing that there's no marriage certificate. I just have all videos and my marriage picture with him. If he does cheat me after living for close to 2.5 years both in India and in Dubai, can I file criminal proceeding? He says I can't do anything without marriage papers here, and he lied and spoiled my life and my future. Will I get my justice? Please guide me, I'm not rich to fight my justice. Please save me.

Q: Dear sir/madam, I am separated from my wife due to compatibility reasons. We got married in the Indian consulate in Dubai on December, 23rd. We would like to file a divorce on mutual consent as soon as possible. May I get some advice here on the procedures?

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.

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.