Q: Hi, Does the newborn child whose father is from the UAE and whose mother is an ex-pat have the right to have UAE citizenship? Unfortunately, I am not married to her father but would like him to be obliged to his responsibility as a father. I am now in my country and planning to go back to the UAE with my child to also meet her grandparents. Will it be possible?

Q: Hello, My Moroccan wife (at the time of the incident, now divorced/ex-wife) was impregnated by an Emirati. I found out about it after I took her to Germany (my home country), thinking it's my child. The baby girl was born there. I filed for a DNA test, which result was 100% negative, this was then legally confirmed by the German court. I am currently in Dubai and intend to locate the biological father, with the intention of him acknowledging parentage and taking legal responsibility. Is there a law firm specialized in such cases? If so, what are the steps that need to be taken? I am not after revenge or money, I only want to secure the baby girl's rights. Thanks

Q: I have an illegitimate son from an Emirati. Is there any chance that we can fight for child support or register him? It has been very difficult for me having to raise the boy let alone the expenses and now he is about to go to nursery. He is in the UAE right now under my sponsorship (mother's visa).

Q: Dear Sir/Madam, I am a Muslim expat living in Abu Dhabi. I had sexual intercourse with a non-Muslim expat, and now she claims that I impregnated her. I do not wish to recognize the baby as mine. Can she sue me to prove that I am the father? And what are the consequences if she could, in terms of child support, etc.?

Q: Dear Sir/Madam, Can I compel an Emirati national to acknowledge his daughter and provide support for the child? If I pursue a case against him, will he be required to undergo a DNA test?

Q: Dear Sir/Madam, Can you give us brief information regarding the new UAE law on abortion? When will it be effective?

Q: Hello, I am pregnant by an Emirati man who is refusing to take a DNA test because he doesn’t want to help or support me or his baby. We are currently homeless, jobless, and struggling without health insurance, and my visa is about to expire. Can you help me?

Q: Hello, I am 18, and my biological father is an Emirati local who never took responsibility. He has blocked me on everything, and we have never spoken. Both of my parents were married at the time, so I am under another man’s name, but he also abandoned me and my family about nine years ago. I would really appreciate guidance on what to do right now, as I want to know if I can obtain citizenship or any legal status.

An interview-format article covering the topic of the new amendments to the laws 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.