Can grandparents get custody or guardianship of a child in the UAE?

Yes, in certain circumstances grandparents and other relatives can play a role in a child's custody or guardianship in the UAE. The UAE Personal Status Law sets out an order of relatives who may be considered for custody (hadanah) when the parents are unable to act, are found unfit, or where one or both parents are absent or deceased, and the child's maternal and paternal relatives can feature in that order. Separately, guardianship (wilayah) over the child's legal and financial affairs may pass to a relative or a court-appointed guardian if the father is unable to serve or has died. All of this is decided by reference to the child's best interests, and the court has discretion to choose the arrangement that best protects the child. Because the eligible relatives and the order in which they are considered are defined by law and depend on the family's situation, these should be confirmed with the competent Personal Status Court. Grandparents seeking custody or guardianship apply through that court, and can compare verified UAE family law professionals on LEXAI for help.