My wife is overseas and wants a divorce. Just a few questions

QWe are a husband and a wife from different African countries, married in the UAE. We have one child together, who will soon be 2 and is in Africa with my wife who wants a divorce.

1. Can divorce papers be processed from outside UAE?

2. Is a wife permitted to be the custodian of a child?

3. If so, will the husband still have responsibilities to the child and what are the compulsory expenses that are to be covered by him? A

1. Yes, but to use them here they must be fully attested from both the country of origin and the UAE Embassy in the country of origin.

2. In accordance with local laws, the mother would be more likely to be the custodian of the child until age 11 for boys and 13 for girls. However, if the custodian refuses to stay with you in the UAE you have the right to file a case to claim custody of the children and to oblige her to relocate to where you are.

3. The husband is fully liable to cover the expenses of raising the child, including food, clothes, medication, housing and schooling. The full amount depends on the father’s income. If the child has special needs, the husband has to cover any additional medical expenses. Article 78/1 of Personal Status Law 28 states: “Maintenance of children with

For divorces overseas to proceed in the UAE, papers must be attested in country of origin and the UAE Embassy there

no financial resources shall be borne by the father.

Girls shall be looked after until they marry, while boys are to be maintained until they reach an employable age, unless he is pursuing study.