ARTICLE
8 July 2016

UAE Family Matters Q&A: Can I Divorce My Wife If I Have Left The Country?

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Dr. Hassan Elhais

Contributor

Dr. Hassan Elhais, a long-standing member of the prestigious Amal Alrashedi Lawyers & Legal Consultants, is a renowned legal consultant in the UAE, specializing in family law, criminal law, civil law, company incorporation, construction law, banking law, inheritance law, and arbitration. Dr. Elhais has gained wide recognition in the country, winning numerous awards and accolades. He was declared the Legal Consultant of the Year in 2026 by Leaders in Law. He was also elected as the co-chair of the ‘Relocation of Children Committee’ of the International Academy of Family Lawyers (IAFL), a worldwide association of practicing lawyers, widely regarded as the most experienced and skilled family law specialists in their respective countries. Dr. Hassan Elhais’s continued recognition in the 2025 Chambers and Partners rankings for Family/Matrimonial services to High-Net-Worth individuals in the UAE from 2022-2025.
I previously lived in the UAE and my wife still lives there. I want to divorce her but, since I am not in the country any more, can I authorise someone else to conduct divorce proceedings on my behalf?
United Arab Emirates Family and Matrimonial
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Question: I previously lived in the UAE and my wife still lives there. I want to divorce her but, since I am not in the country any more, can I authorise someone else to conduct divorce proceedings on my behalf?

Answer: Yes. You may authorise a third party to conduct divorce proceedings on your behalf. As outlined in Article 100 of the Personal Status Law, divorce can be initiated by a man or his special representative. Therefore, to conduct divorce proceedings in the UAE you will need to grant a power of attorney to someone who can act on your behalf.

Question: My brother and I support our parents financially, but he has a higher income than I do. In terms of the law, do we have to contribute the same amount of financial assistance?

Answer: According to Article 82 of UAE Federal Law No28 of 2005, the Personal Status Law, financial support provided to parents is based upon the financial capacity of each son. Therefore the contribution made by each son can be different.

But if one son contributes more than his brother, he cannot reclaim the additional amount paid to his parents unless the amount was paid after a court decision was made against them.

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.

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