Divorce in Dubai.

Family Law and Divorce in Dubai and the UAE

Family law disputes in the UAE involve some of the most emotionally charged and legally complex situations a person can face. The legal framework is intricate: UAE Personal Status Law applies to Muslims in most matters; Federal Decree-Law No. 41 of 2022 provides a dedicated civil law framework for non-Muslim family matters; and foreign law may apply where parties have chosen their home country law for their marriage. Navigating these overlapping frameworks — while protecting your financial position and your relationship with your children — requires experienced, sensitive legal counsel. Al Safar & Partners' family law team has guided thousands of clients through family disputes in the UAE since 1981.

Divorce in the UAE

For Muslim parties, divorce in the UAE is governed by Federal Personal Status Law No. 28 of 2005. The process differs by type: Talaq (divorce initiated by the husband), Khul (wife-initiated divorce in exchange for financial concessions), and judicial divorce on specific grounds. For non-Muslim residents and foreign nationals, Federal Decree-Law No. 41 of 2022 introduced a civil divorce procedure that applies their home country law or UAE civil principles. We advise on the most appropriate divorce pathway for your circumstances and guide you through every step of the process.

Child Custody and Guardianship

In UAE family law, custody (hadana — day-to-day care) and guardianship (walaya — legal decision-making authority) are treated as distinct concepts. Under the Personal Status Law, mothers typically have custody of young children with fathers retaining guardianship. For non-Muslims under the 2022 law, joint custody and equal parenting arrangements are available. International custody disputes — where one parent has relocated children abroad or is preventing travel — require urgent legal action. We represent parents in all custody proceedings and cross-border international child relocation disputes.

Financial Matters — Maintenance and Asset Division

In divorce proceedings, financial disputes cover: mahr (deferred dower under Islamic law), nafaqa (maintenance for wife and children), division of matrimonial assets, and recovery of assets transferred in anticipation of divorce. For non-Muslims under the 2022 regime, asset division follows civil principles. We advise on entitlements, asset identification and recovery, and ensure financial settlements are fair and fully documented.

Domestic Violence and Protection Orders

UAE law criminalises domestic violence through Federal Law No. 10 of 2019. Victims can obtain immediate protection orders from the courts and support from specialist police units. We advise victims on their legal options — both immediate protective measures and longer-term family law proceedings — with full confidentiality and sensitivity.