How long can a divorced woman get alimony in UAE?

Question: I am a Muslim man. A year ago, I divorced my wife. The court ruled for her to receive monthly alimony and custody of my 4 children: boys aged 13 and 15, and girls aged 16 and 17. My question is: Until what age am I legally obligated to pay child support? 2. What are the conditions to extinguish custody according to the new law? Please advise

Answer: To answer such question, I would advise the questioner that:

According to Article 106 of the Federal Decree-Law No. (41) Of 2024 on the Issuance of the Personal Status Law: “The maintenance of a young child who has no money is the responsibility of his father, until the girl marries or works, and until the boy reaches the age at which his peers can earn a living, unless he is a student who continues his studies with usual success in accordance with custom and in accordance with what the court estimates “.

According to Article 115 of the same law, “the right to custody is extinguished in the following cases:

a. If one of the conditions that shall be met by the custodian is lost.

b. If the custodian fails to perform the duties of custody or is unable to perform them.

c. If the custodian moves to a place with the intention of residence, with which the interests of the child in custody shall not be met.

d. If the person entitled to custody remains silent about claiming it for a period exceeding one year from the date on which he became aware of the reason of entitlement without an excuse, unless the interest of the child in custody requires otherwise.

e. If the new custodian lives with the person whose custody was lost for a reason other than health disability.

f. The custodian commits a disgraceful act that affects the child in custody. “

Moreover, as per Article 123 of the law, custody ends when the child reaches the age of (18) eighteen Gregorian years, unless the child in custody is lunatic or idiot, or crippled due to illness, in such cases custody shall continue with the custodian or the next in line, unless the interest of the child in custody requires otherwise.