Legal services
Divorce, custody, maintenance and marriage matters, handled with care and in your interest.
Our family lawyers advise UAE nationals and expatriates on divorce, child custody, maintenance, marriage contracts and the recognition of foreign orders. We are mindful of the distress a family dispute causes and keep our clients close at every stage.
Family law in the UAE now runs on two tracks. Muslims and those who choose it are governed by the Personal Status Law, updated by Federal Decree-Law No. 41 of 2024; non-Muslims may rely on the Civil Personal Status Law (Federal Decree-Law No. 41 of 2022) and, in Abu Dhabi, the emirate's own civil family law with its dedicated court. These laws have changed how divorce, custody and financial matters are decided, and the choice of track can affect the outcome significantly. Foreign nationals can also ask the court to apply the law of their home country in some matters.
The family law team at Khalifa Al Sada Advocates & Legal Consultants is a group of professional lawyers from diverse backgrounds who focus on offering their expertise while prioritising the client's interests. We provide sound advice tailored to the facts of your case, and we are approachable and easy to contact, because we know how much distress a family dispute causes.
We advise:
Every family is different, and we treat each matter as the personal, private issue it is.
We begin by explaining which law applies and what it means for you, in plain terms. Where the parties can agree, we negotiate and draft a settlement covering the divorce, the children and the finances, and we record it before the court or the Family Guidance Committee so that it is enforceable. Where agreement is not possible we file or defend the case before the personal status courts, the Abu Dhabi Civil Family Court or the competent court in the other emirates, and we represent you at every hearing.
Our work covers divorce and its financial consequences, custody and visitation, guardianship, child and spousal maintenance, the division of assets and the family home, marriage contracts and prenuptial agreements, and the enforcement of orders, including travel bans and the recovery of unpaid maintenance. We also handle the recognition and enforcement of foreign divorce and custody orders in the UAE, and the drafting of UAE orders in a form that can be recognised abroad. Where a family matter has an inheritance dimension, our succession team works alongside.
Our family lawyers are well versed not only in the law but also in the practical and financial side of a family dispute, and they know the practice of the personal status courts in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. That lets us advise on what the court is likely to order and on the settlement that would serve you better.
We work in Arabic and English, and our Russia, India and Turkey desks assist clients who prefer to discuss a family matter in their own language.
We listen, explain which law applies and set out your options and their likely consequences.
Where appropriate we negotiate with the other side and record an agreement before the Family Guidance Committee or the court.
If agreement is not possible we file or defend the case and represent you at each hearing.
We enforce the judgment on custody, maintenance and assets, in the UAE and, through our network, abroad.
Yes. Non-Muslims can divorce under the civil personal status law, which allows divorce without proving fault, or ask for their home law to be applied. We advise on the best route.
The court decides according to the child's interests under the applicable law. The civil law for non-Muslims starts from joint custody; the Personal Status Law has its own rules by age and circumstance.
An agreed divorce can be completed in a few weeks. A contested case with custody and financial claims can take several months or longer.
Usually, if it was issued by a competent court and does not conflict with UAE public order. We apply to the UAE court for recognition and enforcement.
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Read moreConsultation
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