The UAE has issued a decree on a new federal law regarding personal status, introducing a comprehensive framework aimed at strengthening societal cohesion and ensuring family stability. This landmark legislation outlines updated provisions designed to protect the well-being of individuals and families, addressing critical issues such as parent-child relationships, marriage, divorce, and inheritance.
Here are the new laws as slated by the UAE Government:
- Penalties will be introduced for mistreating, abusing, neglecting, or abandoning parents, as well as for failing to provide necessary financial support.
- Penalties will also apply to actions such as assaulting a minor’s property, traveling with a minor without consent, mismanaging inheritance, and embezzling estate funds.
- Additional provisions will be introduced to regulate the handling of wills.
- Matters related to inheritance, wills, and urgent cases such as alimony and custody will be exempt from referral to family reconciliation and guidance centers.
- Judges will have the authority to refer cases to family reconciliation and guidance centers to speed up procedures.
- The legal age for marriage will be set at 18, with new rules in place to transfer guardianship of marriage matters to the court.
- Either spouse will be allowed to request a divorce if the other is addicted to drugs, psychoactive substances, or alcohol.
- The child’s best interests will be prioritized, and children will have the right to choose which parent to live with once they turn 15.
