Summary:
In my column this week in The National newspaper, I answer a question on how travel bans relate to custody cases, reassuring a woman who is concerned that her work travel may give her estranged husband cause to file a custody case against her for custody of their two children. I clarify there is a difference between travel and permanent residence. I also advise a woman who wishes to have the laws of her home country applied in her financial support case in the UAE. As I explain, this request may be taken into account by the UAE authorities but that depends on her husband's wishes.
Question:
I am married with two children but intend to divorce my husband because he does not support me financially. The problem is that work commitments mean I have to travel often. He may also file a custody case against me. Would this restrict any of us from travelling?
Answer:
Filing a custody case does not impose a travel ban or travel restriction on any of the parties. However, you or your husband do have the right to ensure your children cannot live outside the country without the consent of the other party.
Question:
My husband and I are residents of the UAE. I filed a case against him to claim financial support, divorce him and apply for custody of our children. Can he do anything to prevent me from applying the law of my home country?
Answer:
A divorce case has to be filed with the family guidance committee before it goes to the family court. Once the case is filed, neither party can ask for their home country's law to be applied without the agreement of the other. If your husband agrees for your home country's law to be applied, the family committee is more likely to allow it – as long as it does not contradict UAE public morals.
If family guidance fails to resolve your marital issues, they may refer the case to family court. Once the case reaches the court, then both parties have the chance to apply their home country's laws.
But this rule has some points to be considered. For example, the person who requests to apply their home country's law must have it translated into Arabic and fully attested by the UAE Embassy in your country and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the UAE.
If you and your husband want to apply another country's law but the two of you are from different countries, then the husband's country's law will be applied.
But if your husband does not want to apply his home country's law then he has no right to block you from exercising your right.
Generally, applying an expatriate's law will not be considered if one of the parties has dual citizenship.
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.