The UAE has taken a monumental step toward bolstering family stability and social cohesion with the introduction of a new Personal Status Law. This groundbreaking legislation addresses pressing family matters, from marriage and divorce to child custody and elder care, while ensuring the protection of individual rights within the family unit. By focusing on key societal concerns, the law establishes a framework that upholds justice, fairness, and family harmony.
Key Highlights of the Law
- Marriage and Divorce: A Progressive Approach
- The legal age for marriage has been set at 18 years, ensuring that young individuals are mature enough to make life-altering decisions.
- Women’s rights in marriage have been significantly enhanced. The law empowers courts to transfer marriage guardianship if a guardian unjustly denies permission, upholding a woman’s right to marry a partner of her choice.
- In cases of spousal addiction to drugs, alcohol, or psychoactive substances, either partner can seek divorce, protecting families from the harmful effects of addiction. The arbitration period for marriage dissolution has also been reduced to 60 days, expediting resolutions.
- Enhanced Child Custody Provisions
- Custody rights now prioritize the child’s best interest, extending the age of custody to 18 years for both males and females.
- Once children reach the age of 15, they are granted the right to choose which parent they wish to live with.
- The law also ensures flexibility in cases where the custodian parent practices a different religion, leaving the decision to the court based on the child’s well-being.
- Safeguarding Elderly Parents
- New penalties have been introduced to prevent abuse, neglect, or abandonment of parents. Individuals who fail to provide necessary care or financial support may face imprisonment or fines ranging from Dh5,000 to Dh100,000.
- Inheritance and Wills
- The law tightens regulations on the misuse of inheritance and estate funds, imposing severe penalties for offenses such as embezzlement or squandering of assets.
- Urgent matters involving inheritance, wills, and alimony are exempted from being referred to family reconciliation centers, ensuring faster resolution.
- Rights of Divorced Women
- A husband must document any divorce or reconciliation within 15 days, failing which the wife can claim compensation equivalent to alimony. This measure protects the wife’s financial interests and prevents potential losses arising from undocumented divorce proceedings.
- Flexibility for Courts
- Judges are now granted discretion to rule on family cases according to Islamic law, ensuring public interest while not being confined to specific schools of thought.
Strengthening Family Ties
This comprehensive legislation not only safeguards individual rights but also strengthens the very fabric of family life. By addressing issues such as dowry recovery, inheritance misuse, and child custody, the law sets a precedent for fairness and justice. Furthermore, the penalties introduced for abuse and neglect underline the UAE’s commitment to protecting vulnerable family members.
A Step Toward Social Cohesion
The UAE’s new Personal Status Law underscores the nation’s dedication to fostering a harmonious society. By balancing traditional values with modern needs, the law serves as a model for progressive family legislation in the region.