The new Personal Status Law in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which came into effect on February 1, 2023, is a landmark piece of legislation that introduces several significant changes to the way that personal status matters are dealt with in the country.
The law applies to all non-Muslim residents of the UAE, and it covers a wide range of issues, including marriage, divorce, child custody, and inheritance. One of the most significant changes introduced by the law is the recognition of civil marriage. Under the previous law, non-Muslim couples could only get married in a religious ceremony, but the new law now allows them to get married in a civil ceremony before a judge.
The law also makes it easier for couples to get a divorce. Under the previous law, divorce was only possible if one spouse could prove fault on the part of the other spouse. However, the new law introduces a system of "no-fault divorce," which means that either spouse can get a divorce without having to prove fault.
The law also makes several changes to the way that child custody is determined. Under the previous law, child custody was automatically awarded to the mother in the event of a divorce. However, the new law now gives judges more flexibility in determining child custody, and they will take into account the best interests of the child when making a decision.
Finally, the law also makes a number of changes to the law of inheritance. Under the previous law, inheritance was governed by Islamic law. However, the new law now allows non-Muslims to choose to have their inheritance governed by the laws of their home country.
The new Personal Status Law is a welcome development for non-Muslim residents of the UAE. It provides them with greater legal certainty and protection, and it brings the UAE into line with other international jurisdictions in terms of personal status law.
Here are some of the key features of the new Personal Status Law in the UAE:
Civil marriage:
The law recognizes civil marriage for non-Muslim couples. This means that
couples can get married in a civil ceremony before a judge, without having to
go through a religious ceremony.
No-fault divorce:
The law introduces a system of "no-fault divorce," which means that
either spouse can get a divorce without having to prove fault on the part of
the other spouse.
Joint child custody: The law now gives judges more flexibility in determining
child custody, and they will take into account the best interests of the child
when making a decision.
Choice of law for inheritance: Non-Muslims can now choose to have
their inheritance governed by the laws of their home country, instead of
Islamic law.
The new Personal Status Law is a significant step forward for the UAE, and it shows the country's commitment to providing a fair and equitable legal system for all residents.
Civil Marriage in the UAE:
Civil marriage in the UAE is a legal union between a man and woman that is solemnized as a civil contract, under secular rules, regardless of faith or nationality. It is regulated by Articles 4 and 5 of the Civil Marriage Law No. 14 of 2021.
Who is eligible for civil marriage in the UAE?
The following are eligible for civil marriage in the UAE:
- Non-Muslim residents of the UAE
- Tourists and visitors to the UAE who are not Muslims
- Citizens of non-Muslim countries
What are the requirements for civil marriage in the UAE?
To get married in a civil ceremony in the UAE, both parties must meet the following requirements:
- Be at least 21 years old
- Be of sound mind
- Be unmarried
- Not be closely related
What documents are required for civil marriage in the UAE?
- Completed and signed marriage application form
- Copy of passport or Emirates ID (of both parties)
- Proof of no record of existing marriage (for both parties)
- Marriage agreement (optional)
How to apply for civil marriage in the UAE
Applications
for civil marriage can be submitted online or in person at the Family Court in
Abu Dhabi or Dubai.
What
is the cost of civil marriage in the UAE?
The
standard civil marriage fee in the UAE is AED 300. However, there is an express
service available for a fee of AED 2,500.
What happens after the civil marriage application is submitted?
Once the civil marriage application is submitted, the court will review the documents and schedule a date for the ceremony. The ceremony will be performed by a judge in the presence of two witnesses.
After the ceremony, the couple will be issued a marriage certificate. The marriage certificate is a legal document that proves the couple is married.
Civil marriage is a popular option for non-Muslim couples who are living or working in the UAE. It is a simple and straightforward process, and it provides couples with the legal certainty and protection that they need.
No-Fault Divorce: No-fault divorce is a type of divorce in which one spouse does not have to prove that the other spouse has done anything wrong in order to get a divorce. Instead, the spouse simply needs to state that the marriage has irretrievably broken down.
No-fault divorce was first introduced in the United States in California in 1970. It has since been adopted by all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
There are a number of advantages to no-fault divorce. First, it allows couples to get a divorce without having to go through a lengthy and acrimonious process of proving fault. This can be beneficial for both spouses, as it can help to reduce conflict and bitterness.
Second, no-fault divorce allows couples to focus on the important issues of their divorce, such as child custody and division of assets. This can help to make the divorce process more efficient and less stressful.
Third, no-fault divorce is more gender-neutral than fault-based divorce. In a fault-based divorce, the spouse who is found to be at fault may be penalized financially or in other ways. This can create an imbalance of power between the spouses. No-fault divorce eliminates this imbalance and allows both spouses to start a new chapter in their lives on equal footing.
However, there are also some potential disadvantages to no-fault divorce. One concern is that it can make it easier for couples to get divorced without thinking through the consequences. This can lead to some couples rushing into a divorce without considering all of their options.
Another concern is that no-fault divorce can make it more difficult for couples to reach agreements on child custody and division of assets. This is because there is no longer any incentive for spouses to cooperate with each other.
Overall, no-fault divorce is a complex issue with both advantages and disadvantages. It is important for couples to weigh the pros and cons carefully before deciding whether or not to pursue a no-fault divorce.
In the UAE, the new Personal Status Law, which came into effect on February 1, 2023, introduced a system of no-fault divorce for non-Muslim couples. This means that either spouse can get a divorce without having to prove fault on the part of the other spouse.
The introduction of no-fault divorce is a welcome development for non-Muslim couples in the UAE. It provides them with greater flexibility and choice in their divorce proceedings.
Joint Child Custody:
Joint child custody in the UAE is a relatively new concept. It was introduced by the new Personal Status Law for non-Muslim couples, which came into effect on February 1, 2023.
Under
the new law, both parents have an equal right to joint custody of their
children from the time of the child's birth until the child reaches the age of
18. However, either parent can petition the court to obtain sole custody of the
child if they can demonstrate that the other parent is not fit to be a
custodian.
The
court will consider a number of factors when making a decision about child
custody, including:
- The best interests of the child
- The wishes of the child, if the child is of sufficient age and maturity
- The physical and emotional needs of the child
- The financial resources of the parents
- The ability of the parents to provide a safe and stable environment for the child
If
the court grants joint custody, the parents will be required to develop a
parenting plan that sets out how they will share custody of the child. The
parenting plan will need to address issues such as:
- The child's residence
- The child's contact with each parent
- The child's education
- The child's healthcare
- The child's religious upbringing
The parents are free to negotiate the terms of the parenting plan themselves, but if they are unable to reach an agreement, they can ask the court to help them.
Joint
child custody is a positive development for non-Muslim couples in the UAE. It
allows both parents to be involved in their children's lives and to share the
responsibility of raising them. It can also help to reduce conflict between the
parents and to create a more stable and secure environment for the children.
However,
it is important to note that joint child custody is not always the best option
for every family. In some cases, it may be in the best interests of the child
for one parent to have sole custody. Parents need to work with their lawyers to
determine what is the best arrangement for their family.
Choice of law for inheritance:
The new Personal Status Law in the UAE, which came into effect on February 1, 2023, allows non-Muslims to choose to have their inheritance governed by the laws of their home country, instead of Islamic law.
This is a significant change, as it gives non-Muslims more control over how their assets are distributed after their death. It also brings the UAE into line with other international jurisdictions in terms of inheritance law.
To choose to have your inheritance governed by the laws of your home country, you must make a will. In your will, you must state that you wish your inheritance to be governed by the laws of your home country.
If you do not make a will, your inheritance will be governed by Islamic law. Under Islamic law, inheritance is divided among certain relatives, such as the spouse, children, and parents. The exact distribution of the inheritance will depend on the specific circumstances of the case.
It is important to note that the choice of law for inheritance is only available to non-Muslims. Muslim residents of the UAE must still have their inheritance governed by Islamic law.
If you are a non-Muslim resident of the UAE, it is important to consider making a will to ensure that your assets are distributed according to your wishes after your death. You should also speak to a lawyer to get advice on the best way to structure your will.
Benefits
of choosing the law of your home country for inheritance in the UAE
There are a number of benefits to choosing the law of your home country for inheritance in the UAE. These include:
- More control: You will have more control over how your assets are distributed after your death.
- Certainty: You will know that your assets will be distributed according to the laws of your home country, which you are likely to be more familiar with.
- Flexibility: The laws of your home country may be more flexible than Islamic law, giving you more options for distributing your assets.
- Equality: The laws of your home country may be more egalitarian than Islamic law, meaning that your assets may be distributed more evenly among your heirs.
How to choose the law of your home country for inheritance in the UAE
To choose the law of your home country for inheritance in the UAE, you must make a will. In your will, you must state that you wish your inheritance to be governed by the laws of your home country.
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