Reasons for Divorce in UAE

Parting ways with your spouse takes an emotional toll on your mental health. The most affected group in a divorce case is the child of the couple. They face the consequences of their parents’ separation in terms of custody and guardianship. The divorce rate is getting higher in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which is a concern amongst the relevant authorities. The UAE focuses on family lives by strengthening family laws. However, it still provides the right of divorce to every married man and woman if they do not want to live together anymore.

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has reported that the UAE has the highest divorce rate in the region. Divorce has been trending in the UAE for the past 10 years, impacting the social fabric of the region. Emirati couples and expat couples, both are the part of this divorce statistics report which tells us that divorce has increased in last 10 years. In the UAE, divorce for Emiratis is filed according to Islamic law, whereas a non-Muslim can get a divorce as per UAE civil laws.

The UAE has a multicultural social fabric. A number of expats find it difficult to adjust to UAE norms and culture. However, they have community support groups to talk about their challenges and resolve them in UAE. Despite that, several factors cause divorce between the couple:

• Social and Cultural Norms

In the past few years, the UAE has changed a lot. It has introduced digitalization in every sector, including finance and tourism. Consequently, the family dynamics have also changed. Women are employed in different corporate sectors, providing them with financial independence. Though empowering women in the UAE is a milestone for the country, it has also affected the married lives of the couples in terms of conflicts.

• Burden in Terms of Monetary

Maintaining a good standard of living in the UAE requires extensive financial calculations. These add up to financial pressures on the individuals, which are unbearable to the couple. The financial constraints lead to disagreements and misunderstandings, contributing to divorce agreements.

• Compatibility Between the Married Couple

The UAE government ensures a good family life in the country. Muslim couples have the consent of their parents and celebrate their weddings through different events. However, non-Muslims may also have the permission of their parents and do big weddings. Nevertheless, marriage is consensual between two parties, yet the couple may have an impractical approach to their relationship. Communication is important in a marriage, and if that is lacking, the couple may end up with disagreements and divorce.

• Inter-Cultural Marriages

The social fabric of the UAE allows expats to have inter-cultural marriages. Although they may have the same religion, cultural differences might affect the marital relationship. The language barrier and different cultural values may lead to disagreements and conflicts between the married couple.

• Social Media Influence

It is an achievement for the UAE to expand its operations in the world of digitalization. Nevertheless, social media has created challenges for individuals. Children do not go out and play. They have found online gaming. People find communicating with friends online. These interactions on the internet show the act of infidelity amongst many individuals and married couples, which may affect the marital status of the couple.

Filing a divorce is a big step for any married man or woman, especially if they have biological children together. The separation impacts in different ways to the individuals and families in the UAE:

• Psychological and Emotional Challenges

The impact of divorce leads to loneliness and depression among divorced couples. It also impacts the children emotionally as it affects their cognitive skills. Children from broken families often do self-harm or get involved in illegal activities, such as the use of substances. Individuals may go through stress and anxiety that is prolonged if not cured well.

• Economic Instability

Divorce can lead to financial challenges for the woman, especially when she is dependent on her husband. Spousal support will be stopped after getting the divorce. However, the assets will be divided as per Sharia law for Muslims; otherwise, civil laws are applied to a non-Muslim couple. It involves the cost of single parenting and other legal fees, which ultimately leads to financial constraints.

• Disturbed Children

There could be adverse effects of divorce on the children. They may lack academic skills, have behavioral issues, and have difficulty in making new relationships. In short, they may have a disturbed childhood. That is how a broken marriage affects the society.

• Pressure on the Legal System

The UAE government has emphasized family values. However, the increasing number of divorce cases in the country has raised concerns about the country’s legal system. This has added a burden to the judicial system because custody, alimony, and guardianship have to be decided by family lawyers.

The rising number of divorce cases in the UAE is a big concern for the authorities and the UAE legal system. The following methods can be applied to decrease the number of divorce cases in the UAE:

• Educating and Counselling Before Marriage

Pre-marital counseling and education play a vital role in understanding the concept of marriage and the responsibilities it brings. These sessions assist individuals in learning better communication and management skills to have a smooth marriage.

• Support Systems

Family support is crucial in marriages. Therefore, any conflict that arises between the couple should be discussed with the immediate family members and resolved rather than jumping to conclusions without considering any considerations.

• Work-Life Balance

Employers must ensure effective work-life balance. The working hours are specified in the employment contract. Choosing specific working hours maintains an individual’s routine. It allows a married couple to utilize their time in understanding each other. Therefore, prolonged working hours are not preferred in the UAE.

• Practice of Social Media Platforms

The social media has helped individuals in several ways. Organizations can run campaigns regarding marriage and divorce in the UAE through social media platforms. Individuals should use social media less after their marriage because excessive social media use lacks communication between partners.

Family lawyers in Dubai and Family Lawyers in UAE provide legal advice to individuals on matters related to family property, divorce, and child adoption. Non-Muslims can resolve their cases through civil laws; however, Muslims must follow Sharia Law. Moreover, these lawyers have chosen alternative dispute resolution (ADR) methods, including negotiation and mediation. These methods ensure amicable settlements for divorce, ensuring children are least impacted in the legal process of separation.

Divorce could be traumatic for many individuals. Hiring legal services provides you with legal and emotional support. When a person knows that they can talk through someone while going through a divorce, it gives them peace of mind, and they make rational decisions. During divorce cases, the UAE divorce lawyers understand the mental health of their clients, making them comfortable to talk about it. Consequently, it helps them in making an informed decision about their life and children.

Divorce is a sensitive matter. It should be resolved through qualified divorce lawyers only. Therefore, always do your research before hiring a divorce lawyer for your case in the UAE.