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Expat Divorce in Abu Dhabi: Jurisdiction and Asset Division by the Family Court
Introduction:
For expatriates living in the UAE, divorce might be a complicated process and deal with emotions. Abu Dhabi has been taking steps to address the unique challenges that expatriates face with its Law No. 14/2021 on Civil Marriage and Its Effects. The law provides clear guidelines for divorce procedure, asset division, and jurisdiction. This article evaluates the laws and procedures governing expatriates divorcing before the Family Court in Abu Dhabi.
Family Court Jurisdiction:
Abu Dhabi Decision No. 8/2022 authorises handling of the expatriate’s family issues such as:
Unilateral Divorce Procedure:
Article 6 of Law No. 14/2021 on Civil Marriage allows unilateral divorce. This means, that one of the spouses may initiate a divorce process without giving reasons or fault for the divorce. A spouse may submit a divorce application before the family court with the prescribed fees. Accordingly, the court will review the application as per the conditions outlined in the Abu Dhabi civil marriage law.
Financial Rights in Divorce Cases:
As per Article 15 of the Abu Dhabi Decision No. 8/2022, the court has the discretionary power to review, approve, and amend the financial rights arising from divorce, especially related to financial support for the wife and children. Additionally, as per Article 8, the divorced woman may also have the right to request maintenance from her former husband.
The court has discretion in determining the amount and duration of financial support based on various factors; these are some essential factors that the court may consider while concluding the judgment related to the financial settlement and alimony suits.
Role of Court Experts:
To ensure that asset division and financial assessment are fair, the court may appoint an expert. The expert will examine the net worth of each partner and make a report on how to allocate property as well as other financial issues such as alimony payments. As per this expert report, the court may make decisions concerning financial rights after the divorce.
Conclusion:
Navigating divorce proceedings in the emirate of Abu Dhabi requires knowledge about the jurisdiction of the Family Court together with its provisions on unilateral divorce as well as guidelines on asset division and financial provision. By consulting an experienced legal adviser, one can ensure that their rights are protected.