The UAE has established a comprehensive system of laws and registries for the draft and execution of Wills. This has been done for the benefit of the large expatriate community in the UAE who own movable and immovable assets...more
8/11/2025
/ Beneficiaries ,
Cross-Border Transactions ,
Enforcement of Foreign Judgments ,
Estate Planning ,
Family Law Courts ,
Inheritance ,
Jurisdiction ,
Probate ,
Probate Courts ,
Translations ,
United Arab Emirates (UAE) ,
Wills
A recent ruling by a UAE court determined that persistent threats by a husband about polygamous cohabitation will be considered to be psychological or mental harm to his wife. Polygamous cohabitation refers to multiple wives...more
The UAE government has implemented the civil personal status laws to regulate the personal affairs of the large population of non-Muslim expatriates who have chosen to live in the country. These laws are rooted in the...more
7/21/2025
/ Alimony ,
Child Custody ,
Divorce ,
Dubai ,
Expatriates ,
Family Law Courts ,
Inheritance ,
Marriage ,
Muslims ,
Personal Status Law ,
United Arab Emirates (UAE)
Parents are the foremost guardians in a child’s life, nourishing and protecting them during the most vulnerable stages. Parents are expected to be loving, kind and understanding of their children’s needs. However, in rare...more
In the UAE, divorce and related matters are governed by the UAE family Law. Due to the presence of various communities coexisting in the country, the UAE government has enacted separate laws for Muslim and non-Muslim citizens...more
7/16/2025
/ Alimony ,
Child Custody ,
Dissolution ,
Divorce ,
Family Law Courts ,
Marriage ,
Muslims ,
Personal Status Law ,
Registration ,
Spouses ,
Text Messages ,
United Arab Emirates (UAE) ,
WhatsApp
The new personal status law under Federal Decree Law No. 41 of 2024 (“New Law”) has been enforced in the UAE since April 15, 2025 and the old family law under Federal decree Law No. 28 of 2005 (“Old Law”) is now officially...more
7/15/2025
/ Alimony ,
Child Custody ,
Divorce ,
Family Law Courts ,
Legal Custody ,
Marriage ,
Mediation ,
New Legislation ,
Personal Status Law ,
Sharia Law ,
Spouses ,
United Arab Emirates (UAE)
How can a family court decision be appealed?
Although it is easy to obtain information regarding family laws in the UAE, people are generally unaware about the procedural aspects of the family court process. In this...more
7/11/2025
/ Appeals ,
Appellate Courts ,
Child Custody ,
Court of Cassation ,
Dispute Resolution ,
Divorce ,
Family Law Courts ,
Inheritance ,
Jurisdiction ,
Litigation Strategies ,
United Arab Emirates (UAE)
The UAE government has issued a series of changes to its family laws through the recently passed new personal status law, namely Federal Decree Law No. 41 of 2024 on the Issuance of Personal Status. The law will be enforced...more
A new federal law regarding personal status has been issued by the UAE government on the 1st of October 2024 and which will come into effect on the 15th of April, 2025. Federal Decree Law No. 41 Of 2024 on the Issuance of the...more
3/26/2025
/ Child Custody ,
Divorce ,
Family Law Courts ,
Marital Assets ,
Minor Children ,
New Legislation ,
Personal Status Law ,
Real Estate Transactions ,
Spousal Support ,
Spouses ,
United Arab Emirates (UAE)
In the UAE, custody of children following the divorce of Muslim parents is governed by Federal Law No. 28/2005 on Personal Status Law. A common concern for fathers is whether they can obtain custody after their ex-wives...more
1/20/2025
/ Child Custody ,
Custody ,
Divorce ,
Family Law Courts ,
Guardianships ,
Judicial Discretion ,
Muslims ,
Parenting Plans ,
Personal Status Law ,
Sharia Law ,
Spouses ,
United Arab Emirates (UAE)
Introduction: For expatriates living in the UAE, divorce might be a complicated process and deal with emotions. Abu Dhabi has been taking steps to address the unique challenges that expatriates face with its Law No. 14/2021...more
12/19/2024
/ Alimony ,
Child Custody ,
Child Support ,
Distribution Rules ,
Divorce ,
Dubai ,
Equitable Distribution ,
Family Law Courts ,
Jurisdiction ,
Unilateral Dissolution ,
United Arab Emirates (UAE)