United Arab Emirates: Family Law

Plaintiff filed a case for child custody, child support and related charges, against her ex-husband who divorced her a year ago. The plaintiff states that she is the custodian of the child and the defendant is wealthy, earning well and owning properties. The plaintiff resides in the marital house which she claims is unsuitable for her and the child. She requests the court to charge the defendant to provide a different house. The defendant contends that the case is invalid as per res judicata, as the plaintiff had filed a case one year ago in the same subject matter.

Plaintiff files a case against the defendant who is her ex-husband, seeking maintenance in the form of backdated expenses and child support and related expenses for their child. The plaintiff states that although she had been an exemplary wife to the defendant, and discharged all her duty as a wife and mother, the defendant had failed to reciprocate. He allegedly treated the plaintiff with cruelty, hostility, humiliation, and disrespect, since the beginning of their marriage, and was negligent of his responsibilities towards the family.

The UAE's approach to child custody has undergone a fundamental transformation with Federal Decree-Law No. 41 of 2022, shifting from traditional frameworks to a modern shared parenting model.