Q: In case of KHUL demand by wife, do I as a husband have the right to ask for compensation for all the expenses incurred during marriage and return of our gold given during marriage including mahr and money spent during marital life? Is it mandatory for the husband to accept Khul when demanded by the wife for such marital discords? In case of domestic violence by husband, what are the legal consequences here in the UAE? And also what is the law for verbal abusive nature of the husband? There are phone recording and voice recording proof for this. Is it legal? Can the husband claim custody of children? If the marriage happened in Dubai Sharia Court, can divorce procedure be done in India? Can home country law be applied for the divorce proceeding in Dubai? Both of us are Indian. How to issue a travel ban for kids? How a father can take custody of children after 11 years of age? What are the requirements?

Q: Hello, I am a British ex-pat with a residential visa in the UAE. I have married my husband under the UAE Sharia law and became his second wife. Now after a lot of trouble with his first wife, we genuinely decided to divorce. We have no children together and we are both not living in UAE anymore. Kindly advise me about my rights in this case and the regular divorce procedures. Do I have a right to a divorce settlement or maintenance until the divorce is finalized? Do you have any helpful tips? Thank you so much for your help and advice!

Q: I did khula to escape an abusive husband. However, He owes me 4 months back alimony for me and my child, before the khula agreement. This is subject to an enforcement case. He refuses to pay saying that khula means I gave up all my rights, which means also the dues from the past. Is that correct?

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.

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.

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.