ARTICLE
31 August 2016

UAE Family Matters Q&A: You Have Right To Ask For Visitation

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.
Yes, you may make a new claim to increase the amount.
United Arab Emirates Family and Matrimonial
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Question: I am a non-Muslim European whose wife has filed for divorce and for custody of our children, who are with her. I have filed a visitation case against her. The judge has decided to join the custody case and visitation case to be heard in same hearings since both are related to same issue. Now my wife is delaying the custody case, which is prolonging my visitation court order to see my children. What can I do?

Answer: Article 135 of UAE Federal Law No?28 of 2005, the Personal Status Law, provides that you have the right to request from the judge an urgent visitation order on an interim basis, which will allow you to see your children at least once a week until a final judgment is issued.

Question: I am a non-Muslim European expatriate who has been living in the UAE for 10 years. I have a dispute with my husband and have filed for divorce, custody of our children and financial support. I won my case in the Court of First Instance. He then lodged an appeal at the Court of Appeal, which I also won. However, the amount I have been awarded does not cover my needs. Can I make another claim to increase this amount?

Answer: Yes, you may make a new claim to increase the amount. However, you will not be able to do so immediately. As per Article 64 of the UAE Federal Law No?28 of 2005 you will not be able to file a new case to increase the maintenance amount before one year has passed from the date of the last judgment.

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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