Family Law in Dubai: Understanding Marriage, Divorce, and Custody

Navigating family law in Dubai, especially concerning marriage, divorce, and custody, requires understanding the latest legislative reforms and how these changes impact non-Muslim expatriates living in the UAE. AWS Legal Group, with its comprehensive legal services, stands ready to guide clients through these sensitive matters with professionalism and expertise.

Marriage in Dubai: Recent legislative changes have simplified the process for non-Muslim expatriates wishing to marry in Dubai. The requirement for a guardian’s consent and Muslim male witnesses for marriage has been removed, allowing non-Muslim couples to marry based on mutual consent in registry offices. This adaptation aligns more closely with international practices, offering expatriates a familiar legal framework for marriage​​.

Divorce Proceedings: The UAE has introduced reforms to the divorce process for non-Muslims, making it possible for either spouse to initiate a divorce without the need to justify their decision or prove harm. This significant change ensures a more straightforward and less contentious divorce process, allowing for the possibility of divorce being granted at the first hearing. The removal of mandatory mediation sessions and family guidance counseling can expedite the divorce process, reducing the emotional and financial strain on both parties​​.

Child Custody and Joint Custody: The new laws have revolutionized child custody arrangements post-divorce, granting equal and joint custody to both parents. This approach marks a departure from previous practices where custody was predominantly awarded to mothers until children reached puberty. The legal reforms prioritize the child’s best interest, allowing for a more balanced and fair custody arrangement​​.

Alimony and Asset Consideration: In divorce proceedings, the new laws consider the husband’s total assets when determining alimony, allowing for lump-sum compensations. This is a significant shift from the previous system, which based alimony payments on the spouse’s monthly salary. The reforms also recognize the contributions of spouses who have left their careers to care for children, ensuring they are compensated fairly​​.

Inheritance Laws: For expatriates, the legal reforms introduce the flexibility to draft wills according to the laws of their home countries or UAE laws. In the absence of a will, the estate is divided equally between the surviving spouse and children, offering a clear and equitable approach to inheritance distribution​​.

AWS Legal Group is dedicated to providing tailored legal advice and representation in family law matters, ensuring that clients navigate the complexities of marriage, divorce, and custody with confidence. Our team of experienced lawyers is well-versed in the latest legal reforms and committed to upholding the rights and interests of our clients in Dubai’s dynamic legal landscape.