What is nafaqa (maintenance) and who pays it after divorce in the UAE?

Nafaqa is maintenance — the financial support one family member must provide to another under the UAE Personal Status Law. After divorce, a father typically remains responsible for his children's maintenance (housing, food, education, healthcare), even when they live with their mother as custodian; support can also arise during a former wife's waiting period. The court sets the amount based on the payer's income and means and the recipient's reasonable needs, so it varies case by case. Maintenance orders are enforceable, and unpaid amounts can be pursued through the Personal Status Court's enforcement process. Full step-by-step guide: Nafaqa maintenance in the UAE. Compare verified family law professionals on LEXAI.