FAQ

A civil divorce can often be granted at the first hearing, while financial matters and custody arrangements take longer depending on how much the parties agree. We give you a precise timeline after reviewing your file.

Yes. Non-Muslims can marry civilly before the Abu Dhabi Civil Family Court, provided both parties are at least 21 and submit the required declarations and documents. The procedure is often completed in a single day.

Without a will, the spouse receives half of the estate and the other half is shared equally between the children, with no distinction between sons and daughters. A registered will lets you distribute your estate as you wish.

Under civil law the starting point is joint, equal custody for both parents. Where they disagree, the court decides in the best interests of the child, including living arrangements, travel and visitation.

Yes. Foreign judgments can be enforced before the execution judge if they are final, issued by a competent court, not contrary to UAE public order, and subject to reciprocity.

Both spouses must be non-Muslim and of legal age, prove their identity and marital status, and give their express consent.

It depends on the emirate and on having complete documents; once they are ready it often takes just a few days.

Usually both attend the ceremony; some emirates offer remote procedures under specific conditions.

The certificate can be attested for use in many countries, and we guide you through the attestation your country requires.

A civil marriage is concluded before an official authority under civil law; a religious marriage follows a community’s rites and must be registered with the authorities to be recognised.

The UAE civil personal status law for non-Muslims applies; in some cases the spouses can ask for their own personal law.

Divorce by consent can be quick; contested cases take longer depending on the issues.

Yes, and custody and financial matters can be agreed in a settlement the court approves.

The child’s interests come first; the civil laws make joint custody the starting point in many cases.

Under the civil laws for non-Muslims joint custody is the starting point in many cases, unless the court decides otherwise for the child.

Travel usually needs the other parent’s consent or a court order; we help you arrange it.

Yes. When circumstances change you can ask for them to be varied in the child’s interests.

The court considers both incomes, the family’s needs, standard of living and length of the marriage; there is no single figure for every case.

There is no automatic split in every case; it depends on agreements, circumstances and each spouse’s contribution.

Yes. If either spouse’s finances change, a variation can be requested.

The civil personal status laws for non-Muslims apply; in some cases the law of the deceased’s nationality or a registered will can be applied.

No, but without one the estate is distributed under the law, which may not match your wishes.

Each has its own provisions, procedures and competent authorities; we identify the applicable law and authority for each estate.

This may be possible in some cases, especially where a will provides for it, depending on the applicable law and the type of asset.

Usually the death certificate, proof of kinship, the heirs’ IDs, any will and records of the assets.

Yes. Non-Muslims can prepare a will and register it with the competent authorities in the UAE.

Property, bank accounts, investments and personal possessions, in the UAE and abroad, subject to the applicable law.

It depends on where your assets are, where you live and the kind of will; options include the Abu Dhabi courts, the DIFC Wills Service and the ADGM registry.

Yes. It can be amended or revoked and a new will registered through the approved procedure.

A will records your wishes for your assets; without one, the estate is distributed under the law.

Yes. Recognition and enforcement can be sought from the competent courts if the legal conditions are met and it does not conflict with public order.

It depends on the parties’ nationalities, where the marriage took place, where you live and where the assets are; we establish this once we have studied the details.

Usually yes. UAE courts require a certified legal translation into Arabic, with the necessary legalisation.

It may be taken into account in the case, but dividing it usually needs proceedings in the country where it is held.

This usually needs the other parent’s consent or the court’s permission, with the child’s interests coming first.