We are pleased to announce that Dr. Hassan Elhais has been recognized as a leading family lawyer by Spears 500, earning the distinction as one of the best legal minds for high-net-worth individuals.
We proudly announces Dr. Hassan Elhais's continued recognition in the 2026 Chambers and Partners rankings for Family/Matrimonial services to High-Net-Worth individuals in the UAE.
It gives us immense pleasure to announce that Dr. Hassan Elhais, Legal consultant has been awarded the Best Legal Consultant of the year 2025 in Dubai, by Corporate INTL.
We would like to congratulate Dr. Hassan Elhais on his continued recognition in the 2025 Chambers and Partners rankings for Family/Matrimonial services to High-Net-Worth individuals in the UAE.
We proudly announces Dr. Hassan Elhais's continued recognition in the 2024 Chambers and Partners rankings for Family/Matrimonial services to High-Net-Worth individuals in the UAE.
Worried about financial support after divorce? Whether you are claiming alimony or being asked to pay it, the right legal strategy protects your finances and your family.
Alimony in the UAE is financial support that a court can order one spouse to pay another after separation or divorce and any support that is due to children. Under the UAE’s personal status framework, claims are decided by the Dubai family courts on the basis of income, standard of living and needs of the family. An experienced Alimony Lawyer in Dubai will help you either secure a fair award or defend you against an excessive claim.
Nafaqa or alimony in the UAE is the financial maintenance, payable between the spouses and to children during marriage, during a divorce and after it ends. It includes the basics like housing, food, clothing, medical care, and education for children.
Alimony for Muslims is governed by Federal Decree-Law No. 41 of 2024 (on Personal Status) that came into force on 15 April 2025 and reformed maintenance, divorce and custody rules. Instead, non-Muslim residents may be subject to the civil personal status regime of the UAE, which adopts a more gender-neutral, needs-based approach to spousal maintenance.
The amount is not fixed by statute but is assessed by the court on a case-by-case basis. Senior legal consultant, Dr. Hassan Elhais, pointed out that the two most important things when trying to get alimony are the income of the paying spouse and the reasonable needs of the receiving spouse.
Spousal maintenance (nafaqat al-zawja) — support for a wife during marriage and the post-divorce waiting period
Child maintenance (nafaqat al-awlad) — the father's obligation to support children, including housing and education
Past maintenance — arrears a court may award for periods support was not provided
Determining the correct category and amount requires careful legal assessment of the family's circumstances.
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Types of Alimony & Maintenance Claims in Dubai
Maintenance claims in the UAE take several forms, each handled by an Alimony Lawyer in Dubai.
Spousal Maintenance
Financial support claimed by a wife during marriage or throughout divorce proceedings, covering essential living expenses.
Child Maintenance
Covers children's daily expenses, including food, clothing, education, healthcare, and accommodation.
Housing Allowance
Claims relating to accommodation expenses, including rent, utilities, and housing-related costs.
Education Expenses
Covers school fees, books, transportation, extracurricular activities, and other educational requirements.
Medical Expenses
Includes healthcare costs, medical insurance, treatments, medications, and emergency care for dependents.
Temporary Maintenance Claims
Interim financial support requested while family court proceedings are ongoing.
The Alimony Claim Process in Dubai – Step by Step
Alimony claims in Dubai have a structured court process. Understanding each stage gives you a preparation.
Alimony & Maintenance in Dubai
Step 1 - Case Assessment
We consider
Marital and financial situation
Records of income and assets.
Children’s needs and existing arrangements
Law (Islamic or civil law)
Step 2 - Counseling & Reconciliation for Family
How We Represent You:
Referral to the Family Guidance and Reform Centre
Efforts to resolve maintenance by amicable
Recording any agreement reached
Step 3 - Submitting the claim for maintenance
We prepare and submit:
The maintenance petition before the family court
Supporting financial evidence
A reasoned calculation of the amount claimed
Step 4 - Hearing and Judgment
We lobby on:
Court proceedings in the maintenance claim
Comments on the submissions of the other party
Enforcement of the award in case of non-payment.
According to Dr. Hassan Elhais, presenting clear, documented evidence of income and need is decisive in alimony cases. Your Alimony Lawyer in Dubai ensures the claim is properly quantified and supported.
Cost Discussion Framework
Legal fees in the alimony matters depend on the complexity, and conduct of the case. Factors include:
Whether the claim is accepted or rejected
Quantity of financial documentation involved
Required number of hearings
Enforcement of award needed
Any appeal on the first instance decision
During your consultation, we provide a transparent fee structure tailored to your situation.
Addressing Common Client Concerns
Am I entitled to alimony after divorce?
Entitlement depends on your circumstances and the law that applies. A wife's post-divorce maintenance is usually only for the waiting period but child maintenance is paid separately.
How is the amount calculated?
There is no fixed statutory amount and the court will look at the paying spouse’s income against what is reasonable for the recipient and their standard of living.
What if my former spouse refuses to pay?
Maintenance judgments are enforceable in the Dubai courts, including measures against income and assets.
Does the civil law treat alimony differently?
Yes. For non-Muslims, the civil personal status system generally looks at spousal support, in a more gender-neutral, needs-based way.
Confidentiality is strictly maintained at all times.
Why Choose Dr. Hassan Elhais & Our Alimony Lawyer in Dubai
Dr. Hassan Elhais is a Senior Legal Consultant, with over two decades of the UAE family law experience, advising the spouses, and parents on maintenance claims, under both the Muslim, and civil frameworks.
Proven experience in spousal and child maintenance claims
Multilingual legal team
Representing the Expatriates and UAE Nationals
Sensitive family issues to be handled in strict confidence
Structured, evidence-based legal strategy
We work strictly under UAE personal status law and court procedure.
Trust & Compliance
We offer professional and ethical representation in family law matters in accordance with the UAE law. We provide you our advice that is tailored to your situation, communicated transparently and no false promises. All consultations are fully confidential.
Take Immediate Action
Maintenance disputes can affect your financial stability and your children’s wellbeing. Early advice from an experienced legal professional, helps to protect your position, and avoid unnecessary delay in achieving a fair outcome.
The best alimony lawyer to select depends, on the complexity of your case, and your lawyer’s experience, and knowledge of UAE family law. Dr. Hassan Elhais, is a Senior Legal Consultant with over 20 years of experience in spousal maintenance, child support, divorce, and family law matters for UAE Nationals, and expatriates.
The Federal Decree Law No. 41 of 2024 on Personal Status, which came into effect in April 2025, covers Muslims. Non-Muslims may be covered by the UAE’s civil personal status framework.
Post-divorce spousal maintenance for a wife is generally limited to the waiting period (iddah), while child maintenance continues separately until the children are independent.
Yes, the court may make an order, for arrears of the maintenance for any period, for which the required support was not provided to the extent permissible by law.
