My husband has a mental disorder and cannot support us. What are our options?

Article (110) of the Personal Status Law stipulates that maintenance for each person entitled to it is obligatory upon the wealthy relatives (who are financially capable) who inherit from the deceased, according to their order and inheritance shares.

Order: The relatives obligated to pay maintenance are in the following order:

- Parents (father and mother) from their wealthy children.

- Descendants (children and their children) from their ascendants (parents and grandparents) if they are insolvent.

Basic condition: The relative claiming alimony must be insolvent (unable to provide for his expenses), and the relative obligated to pay alimony must be solvent (financially capable).

Dear Questioner,

Thank you for your message.

We understand your situation and the challenges you're facing. Under UAE law, a husband is legally obligated to provide financial support for his wife and children, including housing, basic needs, and medical care.

However, if he is mentally unwell and genuinely unable to fulfill this responsibility, the law allows for certain legal steps to be taken.

While his family may be morally expected to help, they are not legally obligated to provide financial support unless appointed as his legal guardians by a court. In such cases, it is possible to apply for:

- Legal guardianship over your husband if his mental condition is proven through medical reports.

- A court petition to use any of his assets or income (if available) for his care and support.

- A family case declaring non-support, which may assist in obtaining external support or even grounds for divorce, should you wish to consider that option.

We can support you in initiating the appropriate legal process, whether it involves obtaining a court-appointed guardianship, filing for non-maintenance, or exploring other available remedies under UAE law.

Please let us know if you'd like to schedule a consultation to discuss the next steps.

Kind regards,

Mohammed Salah

Legal Consultant

Greetings,

In the United Arab Emirates, family law is influenced by Sharia principles, and there are certain obligations that family members have towards each other.

However, the specifics can vary depending on the circumstances and the interpretation of the law by the courts.

Generally, a husband is obligated to provide financial support for his wife and children. If he is unable to do so due to a mental disorder, this can complicate the situation.

While there is a cultural expectation for families to support each other, especially in times of need, there is no specific UAE law that mandates extended family members to financially support an adult relative or their family.

However, in some cases, the court may consider the financial capacity of the extended family, especially if they have been involved in the person's life. You may consider seeking legal advice to explore your options.

A lawyer who specializes in family law in the UAE can provide guidance on whether there are any legal avenues to compel his family to contribute to his care, based on the specifics of your case.

You might also explore assistance from social services or charitable organizations in the UAE that provide support to families in need, especially those dealing with medical issues.

Best Regards,

According to UAE law, if your husband is unable to provide for himself due to a mental disorder, you may have the right to seek support from his family if they are capable of providing assistance.

However, this would require presenting evidence in court, such as his medical condition and proof that the family is not providing support.

Our center specializes in family and medical care cases, and you can contact us via WhatsApp for detailed legal advice and assistance in taking the necessary steps.

We are here to support you!

Yes, we can file a lawsuit against his family and oblige them to pay alimony due to his health conditions.

So, contact us at phone number: [-----------].

Yes. As long as your husband has not been placed under judicial interdiction (i.e., he has not been officially declared legally incapacitated due to a permanent psychological or mental disability), he remains obligated to:

- Provide support for his wife and children.

- Provide housing and basic medical care.

If he refuses to do so, you have the right to file a maintenance lawsuit against him before the Personal Status Court to demand support for you and your son. The court may order the husband to pay it based on his income and financial ability.

Dear Inquirer,

Thank you for reaching out!

Under UAE law, a husband is legally responsible for the financial support of his wife and children.

If he is mentally unfit and unable to fulfill this obligation, you may have legal grounds to seek alternative support or guardianship arrangements.

However, there is no legal obligation on his family to cover his expenses or medical care unless a court appoints them as legal guardians or sponsors.

Given the sensitivity and complexity of your case, we recommend booking a consultation with Future Vision for Advocacy and Legal Consultancy to explore your legal options and take appropriate action.

We’re here to support you.

Dear questioner,

While not as direct as the parent-child relationship, the law generally emphasizes family solidarity and mutual support.

If a person is unable to support themselves and has no direct provider (such as a capable spouse or adult children), the court may look to other financially capable relatives (such as parents or adult siblings) to contribute, especially in cases of incapacity.

This would likely be pursued within the framework of a guardianship case. However, as you mentioned, there is no legal obligation on parents to look after adult children.

You can try to prove incapacity, but it is difficult. If you need more clarification, kindly share your WhatsApp number.

Dear Questioner,

If your husband is ill and unable to meet his needs, and he has wealthy relatives, he can file a lawsuit to request alimony from them.

The court will rule in favor of the husband and oblige his relatives to pay his alimony if there are compelling reasons.

For inquiries, contact us via email or phone.

Thank you for reaching out and sharing your situation!

It's clear you're facing a lot of pressure trying to care for both your child and your husband under such circumstances.

In the UAE, the primary financial obligation for a wife and child lies with the husband, regardless of his mental or physical condition.

If he is medically unfit and unable to fulfill his duties, the law does not automatically shift this obligation to his family members, such as his parents or siblings.

However, if his condition is severe and he's legally incapacitated, you may consider applying to court to have a legal guardian or custodian appointed, which could open a path to access or manage any assets or income in his name to cover his needs.

Unfortunately, the law does not directly compel extended family to contribute financially unless there is a specific legal guardianship or inheritance matter where they have obligations.

However, if his family holds control over his finances or is deliberately neglecting someone who is incapacitated, that can raise a separate claim or complaint, depending on the circumstances.

Given the complexity and sensitivity of your case, I would suggest we schedule a consultation to understand all facts clearly and help you determine the most effective legal route, whether through a guardianship petition, court relief, or alternative family law remedies.

You’re welcome to reach out to me directly through WhatsApp or phone at [-----------] to discuss further and see how we can assist you step-by-step.

Thank you for contacting us via Legal Advice Middle East!

Your case raises a very specific and delicate legal issue around family responsibility in cases of mental incapacity.

We recently assisted a client in a nearly identical situation where the husband was diagnosed with a mental health condition, unable to earn or support the family, and his close relatives refused to contribute despite their financial capacity.

Through a carefully structured legal petition, we succeeded in obligating the family to share in his medical and living expenses based on their relationship and financial status.

There are several legal routes depending on your husband’s mental diagnosis, your current residency, and the family’s documented ability to pay.

While direct financial responsibility typically lies with the spouse, the law allows certain exceptions in cases of incapacity where immediate relatives may be held accountable, especially if the person is legally dependent or under guardianship.

This includes filing for legal support claims or requesting court-appointed supervision over his affairs.

The most strategic step may be to apply for legal guardianship, which would allow you to act in his best interest financially and medically, and pursue claims on his behalf, including possible support from his family.

We can assist in initiating that process and building a case that compels their involvement.

To guide you properly, we need to review your husband’s medical records, financial standing, and any correspondence with his family. Our legal team is fluent in Arabic, English, Russian, Hindi, and Chinese to support your case clearly and effectively.