Your marriage can still be ending even though you are living in the UAE as an expatriate. The best advice is for you to document everything from the beginning. You should have all the proof and evidence about expenditures, living, and contributions to family life. Which country hears your case, and who files first, should also be decided very carefully. A good amount of proof gives shape to maintenance, property and asset distribution, and access to children, which is called child custody.
ASK THE LAW, Al Shaiba Advocates and Legal Consultants, a Dubai-based law firm and team of Emirati lawyers, has acted for expatriate families in the Dubai and the UAE for over two decades.
You need to take quick Action if any of this is your situation:
What we do for expat families living in Dubai and UAE
We are experts in handling cross-border divorce with a jurisdictional strategy. We handle such divorces through to enforcement of decrees: civil and non-Muslim divorce, child custody, guardianship, visitation, travel bans and permissions, maintenance, alimony, and division of assets held in more than one country. We also offer drafting services for prenuptial and postnuptial agreements, with UAE-based enforceability. We draft agreements for the recognition of foreign judgments (depending on the situation), as well as wills and inheritance for Dubai- and UAE-based assets. We act for British, American, Indian, Pakistani, Filipino, Egyptian, European, and all other expat families living all over the United Arab Emirates. Our expat family law legal support is available for mixed-nationality and interfaith couples.
Why your foreign custody order may not be enforced in the UAE
Most parents obtain a child custody order from their home countries with them. UAE is not a signatory to the 1980 Hague Convention on child abduction. Therefore, UAE courts do not automatically enforce foreign custody orders in the United Arab Emirates. Your order is considered evidence here, but it cannot be enforced or endorsed in the UAE. If you hold a foreign custody order and your child is in the UAE, have it checked for enforceability before you need to rely on it. Our expat lawyers help expats to get enforceability orders through UAE courts.
Why Expat families choose ASK THE LAW
Your case is argued directly by us; we do not refer out. Our Emirati advocates are licensed to represent expat families in UAE courts. Our firm is owned and chaired by Emirati Advocate Mohammad Ebrahim Hassan Al Shaiba, who writes a weekly legal column in Gulf News.
A large number of clients: We have served a large number of expat families, with representation at every stage, e.g., first instance, appeal, cassation, and execution.
A dedicated family department. Your case is handled by specialized family law practitioners and a dedicated family law department.
Reasonable fees: Reasonable fees for expat families.
All The Emirates — Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah and Umm Al Quwain — All over the United Arab Emirates.
What happens when you contact us
You speak to top family lawyers in Dubai. Our first consultation tells you which court should hear your matter, and what can be outcome. Bring your marriage certificate, children’s documents, any foreign order and we will advise you or filing the case.