This new legislation reshapes marriage and child custody rules in the UAE, starting April 15, 2025. Empowering individuals, safeguarding children, and enhancing family harmony are at its core.
- Women in the UAE now have greater autonomy in choosing their spouses, with specific conditions for non-citizen Muslim women based on their nationality’s requirements.
- Legal marriage age set to 18 years; if a guardian’s consent is withheld, individuals can appeal directly to the court.
- Court involvement needed if there’s a significant age gap over 30 years between marrying partners, ensuring informed decisions.
- New custody regulations prioritize the child’s best interests, raising custody age to 18 and acknowledging the child’s preference post 15.
The UAE is gearing up to implement transformative changes to marriage and child custody laws on April 15, 2025, through Federal Decree Law No. 41 of 2024. This is a deliberate effort to strengthen family bonds and protect children’s welfare. Women can now marry partners of their choice. Notably, for non-citizen Muslim women, guardian consent isn’t required if it’s not mandated by their nationality’s law. This change enhances women’s personal freedom in making life-altering decisions about marriage.
The legal age for marriage is now set at 18. If guardians deny consent beyond this age, individuals have the right to appeal to the court. This removes barriers and empowers individuals to take charge of their marital future, fostering independence and fairness.
A noteworthy provision involves age differences in marriage: If partners are over 30 years apart, the marriage requires court permission. This ensures all parties thoroughly consider their decision, promoting thoughtful unions.
There is now a clear legal definition of engagement, emphasizing it’s merely a promise and not the marriage itself. If engagements are called off, gifts exceeding 25,000 AED or their current value must be returned, promoting fairness and clarity.
Updated custody laws are child-centric, raising the custody age to 18 and allowing children over 15 to choose their living parent. Mothers have new educational decision-making powers, reinforcing the focus on children’s well-being. Legal document rights have been adjusted too, emphasizing guardianship while allowing custodians limited travel rights for the use of these documents.
New penalties address violations like property misappropriation and unauthorized travel with minors, with fines and potential imprisonment for offenses. Utilizing the Gregorian calendar for legal durations standardizes processes except where noted otherwise.
Set to roll out in 2025, these updates aim to empower individuals and nurture family dynamics in the UAE.
