UAE Cabinet Approves Marriage & Family Law Reforms
Women can marry without guardian approval, and divorce procedures have been streamlined.
The UAE Cabinet, in coordination with the Ministry of Justice, will implement sweeping personal status law reforms on April 15th, 2025, introducing major changes to marriage, child custody and divorce regulations. Under Federal Personal Status Law No. 41 of 2024, women can now marry without guardian approval, custody rights extend to age 18 for both genders, and divorce procedures have been streamlined.
For marriages, judicial approval is required if there is an age gap of more than 30 years, and the woman has not been previously married. Divorce arbitration has been reduced from 90 to 60 days, and husbands must document divorces within 15 days, or wives may claim compensation.
Financial settlements now consider both spouses’ employment status, and mothers may contribute financially if fathers cannot, with the right to seek reimbursement. Child custody rules now allow both parents equal rights to travel with their children for up to 60 days per year, and children over 15 can choose their preferred custodian.
The reforms also introduce fines of AED 5,000 to AED 10,000 for child neglect or property abuse. Additionally, Muslim expatriates can now apply their home country’s laws for personal matters.
