My wife won custody under the new law. What are my legal options now?

Since the ruling was issued extending the mother's custody until the age of 18, she becomes the legal custodian of the child until the child reaches that age, unless a subsequent legal or religious impediment arises that would strip her of custody (such as marriage, neglect, irregularity, or harm to the child).

New Law:

Federal Decree-Law No. (41) of 2024 was issued, amending the custody provisions, extending the custody age to include children until 18 years, instead of 11 for boys and 13 for girls under the previous law.

This ruling is final and enforceable unless appealed within the legal period (usually 30 days from the date of issuance if the ruling is preliminary and not final).

Good afternoon,

Thank you for your message!

Based on the information you've shared, the recent court ruling aligns with the updated UAE Personal Status Law, which allows the mother to retain custody of the child until the age of 18.

You remain the legal guardian, meaning you still have rights over key decisions such as education and healthcare.

You are also legally obligated to provide child support as determined by the court. If you believe the custody decision, child support amount, or visitation arrangements are not in the best interest of your child or unfairly determined, you have the right to appeal within 30 days from the date of the judgment, giving you approximately 20 days remaining.

Additionally, if visitation has not been properly defined, we can assist in formally arranging or modifying it through the court.

I recommend scheduling a consultation at your earliest convenience so we can review the judgment in detail and assess the best course of action based on your rights and circumstances under UAE law.

Best regards,

As for divorce, the new law applies to it. As for the rest of the claims, the provisions of the new law apply to all events that occurred after its provisions came into effect.

It does not apply retroactively except to divorce certificates, divorce lawsuits, and lawsuits to prove or deny paternity for which a final judgment has not been issued. Therefore, you can appeal the judgment issued in this case.

For more information about your issue, please contact us at our office's contact numbers, which you will find in our profile on mobile, via WhatsApp, or via email.

Good luck!

Dear questioner,

You typically have 30 days from the date the judgment is issued to file an appeal before the Court of Appeal.

Since the ruling was issued 10 days ago, you still have time to consider appealing it. So, we need to prepare a good defense.

There are even many circumstances where child custody is completely granted to the father. We can argue to reduce the term as well as get you more rights over the child.

If you need our assistance, kindly share your WhatsApp number.

Dear Questioner,

Thank you for reaching out!

Regarding your inquiry, since the court has issued a ruling extending your wife's custody of the children until the age of 18 in accordance with the new UAE Personal Status Law, your current legal position is as follows:

- Custody Extension:

The judgment is enforceable unless you file an appeal within the legal time limit, which is typically 30 days from the date of the ruling. If you do not appeal within this period, the ruling becomes final.

- Your Role as Guardian:

Even though custody has been granted to the mother, you retain guardianship rights. This means you still have authority over key decisions involving your children’s education, health, and general welfare.

- Visitation Rights:

You are entitled to request or enforce visitation rights. If these were not clearly stated in the court order, you may apply separately to establish or clarify them.

- Child Support:

If the court ordered financial support, you are legally required to comply with the payment terms. If you believe the ordered amount is unreasonable or you are unable to pay, you may seek a legal review or modification of the support order.

We recommend reviewing the judgment with a lawyer as soon as possible to assess whether an appeal is necessary or beneficial in your case.

Please let us know if you would like to schedule a consultation to explore your options in more detail.

Kind regards,

Mohammed Salah

Legal Consultant

Dear Inquirer,

Thank you for your message!

Since the court has already issued a judgment extending your wife's custody rights based on the new UAE law (which raises the custody age to 18), your legal position now depends on several factors, including the specific wording of the judgment, your rights to visitation, and whether you intend to appeal.

You may still have legal options to appeal or seek adjustments, especially concerning visitation, shared custody, or child support arrangements.

To properly assess your case and advise you on the best course of action, we recommend that you book a legal consultation or authorize our office to represent you.

Thank you for reaching out!

Based on your message, the Court has issued a judgment recently granting your wife extended custody of the children until the age of 18, in line with the provisions of Federal Decree-Law No. 41 of 2022 on Personal Status for Non-Muslims (if applicable) or the UAE Personal Status Law (for Muslims) — depending on your religion and the law applied in your case.

At this stage, you have the legal right to challenge the judgment by filing an appeal within the prescribed 30-day period from the date of judgment issuance if you believe the ruling did not properly consider your rights, the best interests of the child, or if the custody extension is not in the child’s welfare.

In addition, if there are concerns regarding the child’s environment, care, or if there has been a change of circumstances since the original filing, you may seek a custody modification request under Articles 156–160 of the UAE Personal Status Law.

I would strongly recommend scheduling a consultation with me so I can review the full judgment and advise you on whether an appeal is advisable and how best to protect your parental rights, visitation schedule, or custody if required.

Please feel free to contact me directly on WhatsApp or phone at [------------] to discuss your matter further and book a legal consultation. I will be happy to assist you.

Kind regards,

Suhail Rana

Dear Client,

Thank you for reaching out and sharing the details of your case.

Following the recent changes to UAE family law, the extension of child custody to the age of 18 is now standard practice and aligns with the court’s recent ruling in your case.

As a result, your wife will retain custody of your child until they reach 18 years of age, unless circumstances arise that warrant a review by the court.

As the father, you remain legally obligated to provide financial support for your child, including expenses related to education, healthcare, and general welfare, until your child becomes self-sufficient.

Both parents are expected to act in the best interests of the child, and the court will continue to prioritize the child’s welfare in any future proceedings.

If you have concerns regarding the custody arrangement, child support, or if there are significant changes in circumstances, you have the right to request a review or modification of the court’s decision.

Should you require assistance with this process or wish to discuss your legal options in greater detail, I am available to provide further guidance and support.

Best regards,

If you don’t like the mentioned judgment, which you did not fully explain, then to obtain the best result, you might appeal within 30 days from the current judgment date.