Custody of children after divorce when one parent wants to relocate abroad

Jurisdiction follows the child's habitual residence — Dubai courts have jurisdiction because the child lives in the UAE. For a mixed-nationality marriage with a Muslim UAE national father, the case will fall under Sharia personal status courts (not the non-Muslim civil family court). Relocation requires the father's consent or a court order finding it in the child's best interests; UAE courts historically resist relocation that severs paternal contact. Negotiated visitation schedule with extended Manila summer visits is the typical compromise.