ARTICLE
30 November 2016

UAE Family Matters Q&As: Can I Demand Support From My Uncaring Husband's Company?

AM
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.
Can I file a case against him in the family courts?
United Arab Emirates Family and Matrimonial
Dr. Hassan Elhais are most popular:
  • within Accounting and Audit, Immigration and Cannabis & Hemp topic(s)

Question: As a wife, do I have the right to send a letter to the company where my husband works to demand financial support? My husband left me more than three months ago and has switched off his mobile phones and has been avoiding me and our son. Can I file a case against him in the family courts?

Answer: No, you do not have the right to send demand letters to your husband's company, all financial rights and claims must be against your husband. You do have the right to claim divorce though, based on the ground that he has not been supporting you and your son financially, as per Article 124 of Federal Law No 28 of 2005, the Personal Status Law. You have the right to claim compensation, or nafakkit muttaa, from him, under Article 140. You could also claim other financial rights such as any unpaid dowry, waiting period (Iddat) expenses, unpaid financial support backdated 36 months (if he did not cover previous expenses). In addition to the above, if your child is still under custody age (13 for a girl and 11 for a boy) you would be entitled to keep custody of him and your husband would need to provide financial support for his upbringing. Even if your husband does not have much money, the court in most cases would force him to pay the minimum amount. You would need to be in the UAE to file your case.

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.

[View Source]
See More Popular Content From

Mondaq uses cookies on this website. By using our website you agree to our use of cookies as set out in our Privacy Policy.

Learn More