What is the process for khula (wife-initiated divorce) in the UAE?

Khula is a form of divorce initiated by the wife under Islamic personal status rules, in which she seeks to end the marriage, and it is recognised within the UAE Personal Status Law framework that applies to Muslim couples. In practice, a wife files her request through the family courts, and the process generally begins with the family guidance/amicable settlement stage, where reconciliation is explored before the matter proceeds. Khula traditionally involves the wife relinquishing or returning certain financial entitlements connected to the marriage in exchange for the divorce, and the court considers the circumstances in reaching its decision. Related issues such as custody of children and any maintenance are addressed alongside. Non-Muslim couples would instead typically use the UAE's civil personal status framework, which offers a no-fault civil divorce and does not use khula. Because the financial and procedural details depend on your specific situation and the court's assessment, it is important to get tailored advice before filing. Confirm the current process with the relevant court (such as Dubai Courts), and you can compare verified UAE family lawyers on LEXAI.