Are prenuptial agreements recognised in Dubai, and is one worth making?

Prenuptial-style agreements can carry real weight in Dubai, and for many couples one is worth making. How it is treated depends on which legal framework applies to you. Non-Muslim residents can marry and divorce under the UAE's civil personal status regime, which expressly gives spouses room to agree on financial arrangements, and courts in that system will generally engage with a properly made agreement. In proceedings under the Sharia-based framework, financial conditions can be written into the marriage contract itself, and foreign nationals can in some cases ask the court to apply the law of another country, where your agreement may be fully effective. The practical advice: put the agreement in writing before the wedding, disclose your assets honestly to each other, have it professionally drafted rather than copied from a template, and consider notarising it. If you have ties to another country, a coordinated agreement valid both there and in the UAE is the strongest position — "sign something abroad instead" is a false choice; do both properly. Nothing guarantees a court will enforce every clause, but a clear, fair, documented agreement is far better than silence. A UAE family lawyer can advise whether a local agreement, a foreign one, or both fits your circumstances.