Key changes to UAE’s family law will be implemented in April 2025, focusing on family cohesion, children’s rights, and modernized legal standards.
- Non-citizen Muslim women can marry without guardian consent, aligning with their home country’s laws if such consent isn’t required.
- The legal marriage age is set at 18, with court intervention available if guardian consent is denied.
- Custody rights extend to age 18, with children over 15 selecting their custodial parent.
- Violations of new rules can lead to fines or imprisonment, emphasizing compliance.
In April 2025, sweeping changes to the UAE’s Federal Personal Status Law will take effect, aimed at enhancing family cohesion, protecting children’s rights, and updating legal standards regarding marriage and custody. These adaptations are mapped out in the Federal Decree Law No. 41 of 2024.
For non-citizen Muslim women living in the UAE, the requirement to obtain guardian consent for marriage is abolished if their home country does not mandate it. Emirati women have the freedom to marry without the necessity of a guardian’s consent, provided any objections are considered unjustified. This shift underscores the UAE’s movement towards greater autonomy in personal decisions.
The government standardizes the legal marriage age at 18 years for all individuals. If a guardian’s consent is withheld, adults have the option to seek court approval. Furthermore, marriages presenting an age gap of more than 30 years will need judicial authorization, highlighting a move towards more standardized marriage practices.
Engagement is now officially recognized as a binding promise to marry, setting it apart from the marital contract itself. Financial implications following a broken engagement are also addressed, stipulating that gifts worth over AED 25,000 must be returned unless the breakup is caused by death or unforeseen circumstances.
Changes in marital home provisions allow wives to reside elsewhere if stipulated in a contract. Husbands can accommodate parents or dependents in the marital home if it does not harm their spouse. However, wives can host their children from previous marriages under certain conditions, and decisions about additional occupants in shared homes require mutual agreement.
The reforms address polygamy by mandating that men with multiple wives must provide separate living spaces for each, equipped with private entrances and sanitation facilities. wives can bring their cases to court to ensure equitable treatment.
Custody regulations extend rights until the child turns 18, permitting those 15 and older to choose their preferred custodial parent. Custodial mothers are empowered to make educational decisions in the child’s best interest, emphasizing the importance of aligning care with the child’s welfare.
Travel protocols specify that individuals over 18 are allowed to retain their identification documents unless legal restrictions apply. International travel for minors requires either guardian or court approval, with potential consequences for document mismanagement, such as courts revoking document custody and fathers liable for replacement costs.
Penalties for non-compliance, including parental neglect or unauthorized travel with minors, may involve fines ranging from AED 5,000 to 100,000 and/or imprisonment. This reinforces the legal obligation for parents to adhere to the updated regulations.
Administrative procedures will adopt the Gregorian calendar for all legal timelines unless stated otherwise, ensuring a consistent and understandable framework for managing family law matters.
The upcoming legal changes in the UAE regarding marriage and child custody reflect a significant shift towards modernized, equitable family laws.
