The UAE has introduced groundbreaking reforms to its Personal Status Law through Federal Decree-Law No. 41 of 2024.
These updates, effective from April 15, 2025, are designed to strengthen family stability, prioritize child welfare, and ensure equality between parents.
This article outlines the most significant changes under the new UAE personal status law, particularly in child support, marriage, divorce, and custody.
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Table of Contents
Overview of New UAE Personal Status Law 2025
The UAE’s new Personal Status Law brings significant changes, including more precise guidelines on financial obligations, improved protection for children, and equal treatment for parents in custody disputes.
These reforms reflect the UAE’s commitment to modernizing family law and providing families better protection.
Financial Responsibilities and Child Support
Parents’ financial obligations, particularly the father, remain a cornerstone of the new law. However, several key updates clarify child support and parental responsibilities.
Father’s Financial Responsibilities Under Article 106
Under Article 106, the father is legally responsible for supporting his children financially until they can support themselves. The law makes a few key amendments to ensure children’s needs are consistently met:
- Support for Adult Children with Disabilities: If an adult child has a disability and cannot earn an income, the father must continue supporting them.
- Ensuring Basic Needs: Even if a child has an income, the father must provide enough to meet their basic needs. In cases where the mother cannot breastfeed, the father must cover the cost of breastfeeding.
- Support for Father’s Inability to Pay: If the father cannot provide financial support, the mother must contribute, if possible. She can also seek reimbursement from the father, provided he or a court verifies the expenses.
How to Claim Child Support Under Article 111
Article 111 sets clear guidelines for filing child support claims. The law introduces significant limitations and clarifies the process:
- Retroactive Claims: Support arrears can only be claimed up to one year before filing the case.
- Claims for Other Relatives: Support obligations begin when the claim is filed for other family members, like parents or dependents.
This legal framework ensures that child support claims are processed efficiently and fairly.
Marriage and Divorce Modernized Provisions for Equality
The new UAE personal status law brings essential reforms in marriage and divorce matters, ensuring both spouses are treated equally and that children’s welfare is prioritized.
Key Marriage Reforms are:
- Minimum Age for Marriage: The law maintains the legal minimum marriage age at 18. For individuals under 18, judicial approval is required.
- Age Gap Restrictions: A new provision requires judicial approval for marriages where the woman is 30 years younger than the man, provided she has not been previously married.
- Guardian Consent for Marriage: Muslim women in the UAE no longer need guardian approval for marriage if their home country’s laws do not require it.
Key Divorce and Custody Reforms are:
- Custody Rights Extended to 18 Years: The age for custody termination has been extended to 18 for both males and females. Previously, custody ended at 11 for boys and 13 for girls.
- Children’s Right to Choose Custodian: Children aged 15 and above can now choose their custodian. This is a significant shift towards considering children’s preferences in custody decisions.
- Rights of Non-Muslim Mothers: The new law removes the previous limitation that restricted non-Muslim mothers from retaining custody once their children turned five, offering better protection for children raised by non-Muslim mothers.
- Equal Travel Rights for Parents: Under Article 116, parents have equal rights to travel with their children up to 60 days per year, with the possibility of extending this period for exceptional circumstances such as medical needs.
- Divorce Due to Harm: Either spouse can now seek a divorce if the other spouse is addicted to drugs or alcohol, ensuring the safety and stability of the family.
- Financial Protection for Divorced Wives: Any divorce or reconciliation must be officially documented within 15 days. If this requirement is unmet, the wife can claim compensation equivalent to alimony.
Child Protection and Legal Penalties
The new law strengthens child protection by introducing stricter penalties for offenses like abuse, neglect, and unauthorized travel with children. The penalties range from Dh5,000 to Dh100,000, or imprisonment.
This reform aims to deter harmful practices and uphold children’s rights.
Additionally, the law stipulates that a parent who abuses a child or fails to provide adequate care can be deemed unfit for custody, reinforcing the commitment to child welfare.
Expanding the Law’s Applicability to Different Groups
The new UAE personal status law applies to all UAE citizens and residents. It also offers flexibility to non-Muslim residents and expatriates who can use their home country’s or mutually agreed-upon laws.
For example, non-Muslim residents may opt for the Abu Dhabi Civil Marriages Law or other relevant family matters laws.
Equal Treatment for Parents in Custody and Financial Matters
This new legal framework ensures that both parents are treated equally regarding custody, financial obligations, and the protection of children’s rights.
The changes in custody laws, support claims, and travel rights aim to reduce conflicts and promote a fairer, more stable family environment.
Legal Services for UAE Personal Status Law
Our law firm in UAE offers expert legal services tailored to the new UAE personal status law, ensuring that our clients receive comprehensive advice and representation on all matters related to family law.
Our experienced team of family law specialists is equipped to handle a variety of issues arising under Federal Decree-Law No. 41 of 2024, with a particular focus on the following areas:
Child Support and Financial Responsibilities
Our family lawyers for child support are highly experienced in advising clients on child support obligations under the new law, particularly those concerning Article 106.
We guide parents through determining financial responsibilities, ensuring compliance with the law, and helping secure fair child support arrangements.
We also assist in retroactive claims for child support, helping clients understand the timeframe and limitations outlined in Article 111.
Divorce and Alimony
Our Divorce Lawyer in Dubai provides expert legal representation for clients seeking divorce under the new provisions, including alimony and spousal support matters.
We help ensure that your financial rights are protected during the divorce process, particularly in cases where there are disputes over financial obligations and asset division.
Custody and Parental Rights
Our expert family lawyers for child custody in Dubai specialize in custody disputes, offering professional advice and advocacy for mothers and fathers.
Whether you seek primary or joint custody or need to contest a custody decision, our attorneys can guide you through the complex process of determining the child’s best interests in line with the law.
We also help parents understand their travel rights under Article 116 and ensure that children’s needs and welfare are prioritized.
Legal Guidance for Non-Muslim Residents
For non-Muslim residents and expatriates, we offer legal counsel on choosing the most suitable legal framework for family matters, including child custody, marriage, and divorce.
We help you navigate between the UAE’s Personal Status Law and the relevant laws of your home country or any mutually agreed-upon law, ensuring you make informed decisions in accordance with your personal and cultural preferences.
Child Protection and Abuse Cases
Our firm is committed to advocating for the protection of children under the new law. We represent clients involved in cases of child abuse, neglect, or unauthorized travel with minors, ensuring that legal actions are taken to protect children’s safety.
We also assist in securing penalties for offenders, ensuring that justice is served in accordance with the law.
Post-Divorce Financial Matters
We assist clients with enforcing financial support post-divorce, ensuring compliance with the new alimony and child support provisions.
Whether you want to modify a support order or enforce an existing one, our team is here to provide expert guidance.
Legal Documentation and Compliance
Our lawyers also assist clients in ensuring all legal documents—such as divorce decrees, custody agreements, and financial settlements—are properly documented and filed within the required timeframe.
This includes documentation of divorce or reconciliation, which must be registered within 15 days of occurrence, as stipulated by the new law.
Our family law specialists are here to ensure you receive the best legal guidance and support, enabling you to navigate the new Personal Status Law confidently and clearly.
For a consultation on any of the above services, contact us today.
FAQs about New Personal Status Law in UAE
Conclusion.
The UAE’s Federal Decree-Law No. 41/2024 introduces crucial changes to the country’s Personal Status Law.
With its emphasis on child protection, financial responsibility, and parental equality, this law marks a significant step toward modernizing family law in the UAE.
It ensures that children’s welfare is prioritized in custody disputes and that parents share equal responsibility in providing for their children.
The new UAE personal status law reflects the country’s ongoing commitment to creating a more inclusive and equitable society by addressing key family issues and setting the foundation for a stable, harmonious future.
Key Takeaways are:
- Child Support: Fathers are primarily responsible for child support, even beyond adulthood, for children with disabilities or insufficient income.
- Custody Reforms: Custody rights now extend to 18 years, and children aged 15+ can choose their custodian.
- Divorce and Marriage: Key reforms include removing guardian consent for Muslim women and equal travel rights for both parents.
- Child Protection: The law introduces stricter penalties for child abuse, neglect, and unauthorized travel.
For further clarification, individuals may consult a family law professional to understand how these changes could apply to their circumstances.
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A law graduate and legal writer focusing on UAE law, he became known for his ability to clarify complex legal concepts through his writings. His work simplifies the intricacies of the legal landscape in the Emirates, helping both locals and expatriates navigate their legal concerns.