Can a Muslim wife get a khula divorce in the UAE and keep custody?

Khula is a recognised form of divorce in which a wife seeks to end the marriage, typically in return for relinquishing certain financial rights, and it is available under the UAE Personal Status Law through the Personal Status Court. Choosing khula to end the marriage does not, by itself, strip a mother of custody. Custody (hadanah) is decided separately on the basis of the child's best interests, so a mother who obtains a khula divorce can still be the custodian if that serves the children's welfare and she meets the conditions of a fit custodian. What khula primarily affects are certain financial entitlements between the spouses, not the child's right to maintenance, which the father generally continues to owe. The exact financial consequences of khula depend on the case and what is agreed or ordered. The process starts at the family guidance and reconciliation stage of the competent court. To understand how khula would affect your finances and custody, you can compare verified UAE family law professionals on LEXAI.