Family Lawyers in Dubai for Expats From the USA, UK and Europe

Yes. Non-Muslim expats living in the UAE can divorce under Federal Decree-Law No. 41 of 2022, even if they married in the USA, UK or Europe, and either spouse can ask for the law of their home country to apply. Muslim expats divorce under Federal Decree-Law No. 41 of 2024.

Not always. Non-Muslim expats fall under Federal Decree-Law No. 41 of 2022 and can ask for their home country's law to apply instead, while Muslims and UAE nationals are generally covered by Federal Decree-Law No. 41 of 2024. We'll clarify which framework applies to your specific case.

Yes. Clients who have moved abroad do not need to travel to Dubai for their case. We handle the filings in Dubai and keep you informed by phone, email or WhatsApp throughout.

It's more complex but often still possible. UAE law allows some claims to proceed against a spouse who has left the country, for example where the wife lives in the UAE and the husband has left. We'll advise on the specific steps once we understand where your spouse is and their willingness to engage.

It depends on whether the divorce is mutual or contested. For non-Muslim spouses, the divorce request itself can be decided at the first hearing, while disputes over custody, alimony or property take longer. We give you a realistic timeline once we know the facts of your case.

Both spouses agree to end the marriage and settle its consequences, such as custody, maintenance and property, in a written agreement that is then recorded. For Muslim couples, divorce by agreement in return for compensation, known as khula, must be documented within 15 days. We draft the settlement terms and handle the filing.

Yes, and we generally recommend exploring it first where the relationship allows. For non-Muslim couples, a divorce request does not have to go through family guidance, but mediation can still settle custody, maintenance and property on agreed terms. In Muslim cases, the spouses may first be referred to family guidance to try to reconcile.

The child's welfare is the central consideration. Non-Muslim parents share custody jointly until the child turns 18. For Muslim parents, custody generally goes to the mother first, ends at 18, and a child of 15 or older can choose which parent to live with. We'll walk you through how this applies to your circumstances.

Yes. A divorced non-Muslim wife can ask for alimony, and the amount depends on the length of the marriage, her age, both spouses' finances and any harm caused by the divorce. Under Federal Decree-Law No. 41 of 2024, a wife divorced without her request or a valid cause may also receive compensation of up to one year's maintenance, separate from alimony.

There is no automatic 50/50 split. Each spouse generally keeps property held in their own name, jointly owned property is shared according to ownership, and a spouse who contributed to building the other's property can claim a share under Federal Decree-Law No. 41 of 2024. A prenuptial or postnuptial agreement can set out how property is handled.

Non-Muslim spouses can agree on the terms of their marriage contract under Federal Decree-Law No. 41 of 2022, including their rights during the marriage and after a divorce. How far a prenuptial agreement is enforced depends on its terms and the law that applies, so an agreement signed in the USA, UK or Europe should be reviewed against UAE law.

Yes, when both partners are non-Muslim and at least 21, at least one of them is a Dubai resident, and both attend in person with their original identification and proof that they are free to marry.

Family cases are generally handled with a good degree of discretion, and we take additional care to keep sensitive details confidential throughout the process.

The cost depends on whether the divorce is mutual or contested, the issues in dispute and how long the case runs, so we confirm it once we understand your case.