UAE Personal Status (Non-Muslim) LawFederal Decree-Law No. (41) of 2024 On the Issuance of the Personal Status Law

Article (1) Scope of Application of the Law 1. The provisions of this Law shall apply to UAE citizens if both parties of the relationship or one of them is Muslim. 2. The provisions of this Law apply to non-Muslim UAE citizens unless they have provisions specific to their sect and religion or they agree to apply another law permitted by the legislation in force in the State. 3. The provisions of this Law shall apply to non-UAE citizens unless one of them insists on applying his/her law or any other law that has been agreed to be applied, as permitted by the legislation in force in the State. 4. The provisions of this Law shall apply to all events that occurred after its provisions are into force. In addition, it applies retrospectively to deeds of divorce, divorce proceedings, and proof or denial of lineage proceedings, for which a final judgement has not been issued.

Article (3) Courts’ Competence 1. The courts of the State shall be competent to consider cases related to Personal Status issues filed against citizens and foreigners who have a domicile, place of residence, or place of work in the State.

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Federal Decree-Law of 2024 On the Issuance of the Personal Status Law 5 2. The court, within whose jurisdiction falls the respondent’s domicile, place of residence or place of work, shall be competent. In case of multiple respondents, competence shall be granted to the court within whose jurisdiction falls the domicile, place of residence or place of work of one of them. 3. The court, within whose jurisdiction the plaintiff’s or respondent’s domicile, residence, or place of work or marital home falls, shall be competent to hear cases filed by the children, the wife, the parents, or the custodian, as the case may be, in the following matters: a. Alimonies, wages, and the like. b. Custody, visitation, and related issues. c. Dowry, trousseau, gifts, and the like. d. Divorce, Khula’, acquittal, revocation, and separation between spouses in all their forms. 4. The court within whose jurisdiction in the State falls the most recent domicile, residence, or place of work of the deceased, shall be competent to verify the proof of inheritance, wills, and liquidation of estates. If the deceased did not have a domicile, residence or place of work in the State, competence shall be attributed to the court within whose jurisdiction falls one of the assets of the estate. 5. Local jurisdiction in matters of guardianship is determined as follows: a. In matters of guardianship ( Wilayah)1, at the domicile or place of residence of the guardian or minor, and in matters of tutorship ( Wisaya)2, at the most recent domicile or place of residence of the deceased or minor. b. In matters of interdiction, at the domicile or place of residence of the person to be interdicted. c. In matters of absence, at the most recent domicile, place of residence, or location of the absent person. d. If none of those mentioned in paragraphs (a), (b), and (c) has a domicile or place of residence in the State, competence shall be vested in the court within whose jurisdiction 1 Hereinafter, the term “guardianship” is used interchangeably with the Arabic term ( Wilayah), unless otherwise expressly stated. 2 Hereinafter, the term “tutorship” is used interchangeably with the Arabic term ( Wisayah), unless otherwise expressly stated.

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Federal Decree-Law of 2024 On the Issuance of the Personal Status Law 6 the domicile or place of residence of the applicant is located, or the court within whose jurisdiction the property of the person whose protection is sought is located. e. The court, that issued a ruling of interdiction or ordered the withdrawal or suspension of guardianship, shall refer the case to the court within whose jurisdiction the domicile or place of residence of the Minor is located to appoint someone to supervise him/her, whether a guardian ( Wali)3 or tutor ( Wasi)4. 6. If the respondent has no domicile, place of residence or place of work in the State, and it is not possible to designate the competent court by the provisions of the previous paragraphs, competence shall be to the court within whose jurisdiction the domicile, place of residence or place of work of the plaintiff is located, otherwise competence shall be vested to the court of the capital.

Article (4) Competence of Courts in Cases Filed Against a Foreigner Who Has No Domicile in the State The courts of the State have the competence to hear cases related to Personal Status filed against a foreigner who has no domicile, residence, or place of work in the State, in the following cases: 1. If the case is an objection to a marriage contract to be concluded in the State. 2. If the case is related to a request to revoke or annul a marriage contract, or to divorce or repudiation, and the case is filed by a State citizen wife or a wife who has lost the citizenship of the State, provided that she has a domicile or place of residence in the State, or if it is filed by a wife who has a domicile or place of residence in the State against her husband who had a domicile, place of residence or place of work in the State, provided that the husband has abandoned his wife and made his domicile or place of residence or place of work abroad, has been deported from the State or if his domicile abroad is unknown. 3 Hereinafter, the term “guardian” is used interchangeably with the Arabic term ( Wali), unless otherwise expressly stated. 4 Hereinafter, the term “tutor” is used interchangeably with the Arabic term ( Wasi), unless otherwise expressly stated.

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Federal Decree-Law of 2024 On the Issuance of the Personal Status Law 7 3. If the case is related to a request for alimony for parents, wife, or a minor, who have a domicile, place of residence, or place of work in the State. 4. If the case concerns the lineage of a minor who has a domicile or place of residence in the State, or concerns a matter of guardianship over a person or property, provided that the minor or the person to be interdicted has a domicile or place of residence in the State, or that the absent person’s most recent domicile, place of residence or place of work was there. 5. If the case is related to a personal status issue, and the plaintiff is a citizen or a foreigner with a domicile, place of residence, or place of work in the State, where the respondent does not have a known domicile or place of residence abroad or if the national law is the applicable law in the State. 6. If there are multiple respondents and one of them has a domicile, place of residence, or place of work in the State. 7. If he has a chosen domicile in the State.

Article (5) The Competence of the Personal Status Judge and the Estate Judge 1. The Personal Status judge shall be competent to consider all disputes arising from the application of this Law and everything related to marriage, divorce, dowry, withdrawal of engagement, and all Personal Status matters. 2. By way of exemption to what is stated in Clause (1) of this Article, the estate judge shall have jurisdiction over the following: a. Issuing a ruling to prove death, list of heirs, list and liquidate and distribute the estate, appoint a guardian ( Wasi) for minors and a tutor ( Wasi) on the estate, and take all that is required to preserve the estate. b. Considering all disputes related to the inventory list, the liquidation of the estate, or the division and distribution of its assets among the heirs, and any civil, real estate, or commercial case arising, or deriving from, the estate related to its ownership, liquidation,

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Federal Decree-Law of 2024 On the Issuance of the Personal Status Law 8 or any of its affairs between the heirs and others, and disputes that occur between the heirs, guardians, and those in their position. c. Any incidental requests relating to the removal or introduction of an heir, wills, endowments ( Waqf), or settlement between heirs in grants arising from the estate or inseparably connected thereto. d. Certain competences mentioned in this Article may be assigned to a competent department or specialized court by a decision of the Federal Judicial Council or the head of the Local Judicial Authority.

Article (6) Court Permit or Approval 1. In cases where the law requires obtaining the permit or approval of the court, or where the law requires that the matter be referred to a judge, the application shall be submitted to the court within whose jurisdiction the applicant’s domicile or place of residence is located, by an order on petition unless the law provides otherwise. 2. The court may conduct the required investigation and request whatever it deems necessary; It shall hear the proof and request the required documents. 3. Any interested party may appeal this order within one week as of the day following its issuance if it was in person, and from the day following its announcement if it was deemed in person, the court shall issue its ruling on the appeal by upholding, amending, or cancelling it, such ruling shall be subject to appeal.

Article (8) Family Guidance Department 1. Before referring the case to the competent court, the supervising judge may issue a decision to refer the parties of the case to the Family Guidance Department/ Section to resolve the dispute between them amicably if he/she deems it feasible. Matters of wills, inheritance, and the like, urgent and temporary cases, urgent and temporary orders concerning alimony, custody, tutorship ( Wisayah), and cases in which reconciliation is not foreseeable such as cases to prove marriage and prove divorce, shall be exempted from referral to the Family Guidance Department/ Section 2. If a reconciliation is reached between the parties before the Family Guidance Department/ Section, it shall be recorded in a report signed by the parties and the family counselor. The report shall be approved by the supervising judge and have the force of execution writs. It shall not be subject to appeal in any way unless it contradicts the provisions of this Law.

Article (15) Redeeming the Dowry Presented During the Engagement Period 1. If either the fiancé or the fiancée refrains from concluding the marriage contract or dies before the contract, and the fiancé had given his fiancée property before the contract as part of the dowry, the fiancé, or his heirs, is entitled to reclaim what was given in kind if it still exists, otherwise by its equivalent or its value on the day of receipt. 2. If the fiancée buys with the dowry, or part of it, trousseau to the purpose of the marriage, according to custom, and the fiancé’s withdrawal is with no reason on her part, or her withdrawal is because of the fiancé, then she is entitled to choose between returning the dowry or handing over what she purchased in its condition unless an agreement stipulating otherwise exists. 3. If the fiancée buys with the dowry, or part of it, to the purpose of marriage, according to custom, and the withdrawal is from her part without a reason from the fiancé, then she is obliged to return the dowry, or else its equivalent or its value on the day of receipt. Chapter Three Marriage

Article (19) Eligibility for Marriage 1. The legal capacity for marriage is completed by sanity and the person reaching (18) eighteen Gregorian years of age. 2. It is prohibited to document a marriage contract for anyone who has not reached the age of (18) eighteen Gregorian years, whether male or female, except with the permit of the court and after verifying the existence of an interest in this marriage, and that it meets the controls and procedures for marrying those under the age of (18) eighteen Gregorian years, which are determined by a resolution issued by the Cabinet based on a proposal from the Minister of Justice. 3. If a person who has not reached the age of (18) eighteen Gregorian years requests marriage and his guardian refuses to get him married, the person may bring the matter to Court. The court shall specify a period for the guardian to attend after informing him, to clarify his statements. If he does not attend, or if he attends and his objection is unjustified, the court shall get the person married.

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Federal Decree-Law of 2024 On the Issuance of the Personal Status Law 13 4. Anyone who has been legally married has the capacity to litigate and appoint an agent in all matters related to marriage and its effects if he/she is sane, even if he/she has not reached the age of majority. 5. If the fiancée is a virgin and the age difference between her and the fiancé is more than (30) thirty years, the marriage shall not be concluded except with the permit of the Court.

Article (20) Marriage of a Prodigal, Lunatic, or Idiot 1. A male who has reached the age of majority and is prodigal or has become prodigal may get himself married. The guardian over property, before intercourse, may object to what exceeds twice the usual dowry. The exception to this is the waiver of financial rights arising from marriage. 2. The court may authorize the marriage of a lunatic or idiot based on the guardian’s request, after the following conditions are met: a. This marriage is in the interest of the lunatic or idiot. b. The other party accepts to marry him after informing her of his condition. c. That the guardian submits a medical report approved by a governmental body on the case of lunacy or idiocy, indicating the possibility of transmitting it to his offspring.

Article (21) Order of Guardians in Marriage The order of guardians in marriage is as follows: 1. The father, then the one he specifies in a will, then the paternal grandfather, even if he ascends, then the son, then the full brother, then whoever the woman chooses from: the son’s son, even if he descends, then the paternal brother, then the son of the full brother, then the son of the paternal brother, even if they descend, then the full uncle, then the paternal uncle, or whoever the Court appoints from among them, or the judge himself/herself.

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Federal Decree-Law of 2024 On the Issuance of the Personal Status Law 14 2. If the guardians are equal in rank, the one appointed by the woman shall take precedence. If she does not appoint one, then any guardian of them may undertake the marriage contract. 3. If the woman’s guardian is unable to attend or cannot be informed, the Court shall, upon the request of the woman or any interested party, transfer the guardianship of marriage to the next guardian. 4. It is forbidden to get a girl married without her consent, and in all cases, the marriage contract shall include proof of consent.

Article (32) Cases of Temporary Prohibition of Marriage Marriage is temporarily forbidden in the following cases: 1. A man’s marriage to someone else’s wife. 2. A man’s marriage to a woman in her Waiting Period from another man. 3. A man’s marriage to a woman who has been irrevocably divorced from him by three divorces, unless her waiting period from another husband with whom she had intercourse in a valid marriage has ended. 4. Marrying more than four women, even if one of them is in the waiting period of a revocable divorce. 5. Combining in marriage two sisters, or a woman and her paternal aunt or maternal aunt. Such combining is deemed to have occurred even if one of them is in her waiting period from him, even if the divorce is irrevocable. 6. The marriage of a Muslim man to a woman of a non-Abrahamic religion5 7. The marriage of a Muslim woman to a non-Muslim man. 5 “Non-Abrahamic religions” is used as a term to refer to non-Christian and non-Jewish religions. Obviously, Abrahamic religions are Islam, Christianity, and Judaism.

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Article (33) Constraints on Conditions in the Marriage Contract 1. The spouses are bound by their conditions, except for a condition that makes permissible what is forbidden or forbids what is permissible. 2. If a condition that is stipulated in the marriage contract contradicts its essence, the contract is void. 3. If a condition is stipulated in a marriage contract that does not contradict its essence but contradicts its requirements or is forbidden by Islamic Sharia, the condition is void and the contract is valid. 4. If a condition is stipulated in a marriage contract that does not contradict its essence, nor its requirements, and is not forbidden by Sharia, the condition is valid and shall be fulfilled. If one of the spouses fails to fulfill the condition stipulated by the other, the one who stipulated it has the right to request revocation of the marriage contract unless he/she waives his/her right explicitly or implicitly. The passage of one year from the date of knowledge of the occurrence of the violation is deemed to be implicit consent, and the right of revocation shall also be extinguished by irrevocable divorce. 5. If the failure to fulfill the condition is on the part of the husband, the revocation shall be without consideration, and if it is on the part of the wife, it shall be with consideration not exceeding the dowry. 6. The condition shall not be deemed as proving the option to revoke the marriage contract unless the condition is stated in writing in the marriage contract document or acknowledged by the spouses. 7. No condition shall be considered in the event of denial unless it is stated in writing in the authenticated marriage contract.

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Article (36) Valid Marriage Contract A marriage contract is valid if its elements and conditions are met, and its effects are established from the moment it was concluded. 6 The literal translation of the word “Al-Fased contract” is “the tainted contract”. The word is derived from the Islamic law (specifically the Hanafi doctrine/ school). Hence, wherever the word “voidable” is used in this Code it means “Al-Fased”. The other Arab Civil Codes instead adopted the concept of the “voidable contract” under French law which in this respect is similar to the English Law. Most of the said Civil Codes followed the Egyptian Code in providing for a three-year period during which either party to the contract may take measures to void it, otherwise it remains valid.

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Article (46) Postponement of Dowry 1. It is permissible to agree in the marriage contract to postpone the payment of all or part of the dowry. 2. If the contract does not stipulate that the dowry payment be postponed and does not specify a particular time for its delivery, it shall be delivered upon request. 3. If the contract provides that the dowry be deferred, and a specific known term is mentioned, then the dowry becomes due by the end of that term. However, if an unknown term is mentioned, then it shall be due in advance. 4. If the dowry is subject to a condition, it becomes due upon its occurrence, irrevocable separation, or the death of one of the spouses. 5. In all cases, the dowry becomes due upon irrevocable separation or the death of one of the spouses.

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Article (49) Rights of Spouses Both spouses shall consider the following: 1. Good companionship to each other in accordance with custom and exchanging respect in a manner leading to affection and mercy between them. 2. Neither party shall harm the other materially or morally. 3. Neither spouse shall refrain from sexual intercourse or having children except with the consent of the other party. 4. Living in the marital house unless otherwise stipulated in the contract, and the Court shall consider the interest of the family in the event of a dispute between the spouses. 5. Preserving family interests, caring for children, and raising them well.

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Federal Decree-Law of 2024 On the Issuance of the Personal Status Law 24 6. The husband is obliged to provide maintenance in a manner consistent with custom, and is obliged to equity among his wives in treatment, division, and obligatory maintenance. 7. The wife shall obey her husband in a manner consistent with custom, and breastfeed their children unless there exists a legally permissible impediment.

Article (56) Cases in Which Divorce Does Not Occur Divorce does not occur in the following cases: 1. If the wife is in the waiting period of divorce or invalid marriage. 2. Divorce of an insane person or someone who has lost his sanity, even if such loss is by choice due to the consumption substance affecting sanity. 3. Divorce under duress. 4. Divorce of someone whose anger is so intense that it prevents him from controlling his words. 5. Divorce added to the future. 6. Divorce is conditional on doing or abandoning something, or on something happening or not happening, unless the intention to divorce is actually proven. 7. Divorce by breaking an oath of divorce or a forbidden oath, unless the intention to divorce is actually proven. 7 “Authorizing person” refers to the party granting Power of Attorney to the authorized.

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Article (59) Types of Divorce Divorce is of two types: 1. A revocable divorce, which does not end the marriage contract until the waiting period has expired. 2. An irrevocable divorce, which ends the marriage contract upon its occurrence, and is divided into two types: a. Minor irrevocable divorce: is the divorce that occurs for the first or second time and the divorcer does not take his divorced wife back during the waiting period, the divorced woman is not permissible for her divorcer except with a new contract and a new dowry. b. Major irrevocable divorce, which is the divorce that completes three divorces. The divorced woman is not permissible for her divorcer until her waiting period from another husband who has actually had intercourse with her in a valid marriage.

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Article (66) Consideration in Khula’ 1. Anything that can be deemed property can be deemed as a consideration in Khula’ . 2. If the consideration in Khula’ is the dowry, then surrendering what was received from the dowry will suffice, and the remainder shall be dropped even if it was deferred. 3. It is not permissible to agree that the consideration in Khula’ is the waiver of any of the children’s rights, their maintenance, or custody. 4. If the husband, stubbornly, refuses to accept the consideration in Khula’, the court shall order Khula’ in exchange for an appropriate consideration that it determines.

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Article (69) Court’s Revocation of Marriage Contract Due to Disease or Harmful Defect 1. If one of the spouses finds in the other a disease or a serious defect that is among repulsive or harmful defects, such as lunacy, leprosy, or elephantiasis, or that prevents sexual pleasure, such as impotence, horns, and the like, he/she may request revocation of marriage, whether that disease existed before the contract or occurred afterward. 2. The right to revocation extinguishes if he/she knew about the disease or defect before the contract or accepted it afterward explicitly or implicitly, provided that the wife’s right to request revocation due to disease or defect preventing sexual pleasure shall not be extinguished in all circumstances. 3. If the disease or harmful defect cannot be cured, the court revokes the marriage contract without any need for a grace period. However, if their removal is possible, the court shall postpone the case for an appropriate period not exceeding one year. If the defect or disease does not disappear during that period and the person seeking revocation insists, the court will revoke the marriage contract. 4. The court may seek the assistance of experts in identifying the disease or defect, assessing it, and the possibility of treating it.

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Article (70) Effects of Revoking a Marriage Contract Due to Disease or Harmful Defect If the marriage contract is revoked due to disease or harmful defect in one of the spouses, the court shall decide the following: 1. If the disease or defect in the wife preceded the contract, and the revocation occurred after intercourse or seclusion, then the wife is entitled to the dowry, and the husband may claim the dowry from the one who deceived him. 2. If the disease or defect occurred in either spouse prior to the contract and the revocation occurred before intercourse or seclusion, the husband shall recover what he paid of the dowry and the remainder shall be dropped even if it was deferred. 3. If the disease or defect in the husband occurred prior to the contract and the revocation occurred after intercourse or seclusion, the wife is entitled to the dowry. 4. If the husband knew of the defect in the wife before the contract, and then he requested revocation due to the same defect before intercourse and lawful seclusion, then she is entitled to half of the specified dowry or half of the usual dowry if it is not specified. 5. If the wife knew of the defect in the husband before the contract, and then requested revocation due to the same defect after intercourse and lawful seclusion, then she is obliged to return half of the named dowry or half of the usual dowry if it is not specified.

Article (72) Appointment of Arbitrators If the damage is not proven, the court shall dismiss the case. If the discord between the spouses continues, the harmed one may file a new case after the judgment becomes final or after (6) six months from the issuance of the initial judgment, whichever is longer, unless a new harm occurred that necessitated revocation or new circumstances and facts arose that the court estimates. If reconciliation between them is impossible, each of the spouses shall choose an arbitrator from his/her family within the period specified by the court. Otherwise, the court shall appoint two arbitrators from their families if possible, or from outside their families who are expected to be able to reconcile. An arbitration period shall be set for them not to exceed (60) sixty days from the date of their appointment.

Article (74) Arbitrators' Report If the Arbitrators are unable to make the spouses reconcile, they shall decide what they see as a way of their separation with or without consideration. The court shall estimate the consideration considering the factors that led them, and the role of each spouse in them. In all cases, the consideration paid by the woman shall not exceed the dowry stated in the marriage document. The arbitrators shall submit to the court a report that includes everything they have done to reconcile the spouses, and the opinion they have reached, clarifying the standing points on which they relied.

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Article (76) Revocation of Marriage Contract Due to Non-Payment of the Due Dowry 1. An order shall be issued to the wife, with whom the marriage has not been consummated, to revoke the marriage contract due to the husband’s failure to pay her due dowry if the period set by the court for paying her due dowry has expired and he has not paid it, provided that the period does not exceed (30) thirty days from the date on which the court orders him to pay. 2. After intercourse, the wife, with whom the marriage has not been consummated, is not entitled to an order to revoke the marriage contract due to non-payment of her due dowry, which shall remain a debt owed by the husband, and the due dowry is to be ordered by the court upon the wife’s request.

Article (77) Divorce for Failure to Provide for the Wife 1. If the husband refrains from providing for his wife, or it is impossible to collect the maintenance from him, the court shall give him a period not exceeding (30) thirty days. If he refuses to pay without presenting an acceptable excuse, the court shall impose divorce on him.

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Federal Decree-Law of 2024 On the Issuance of the Personal Status Law 34 2. If the husband claims to be insolvent in paying the obligatory maintenance to his wife and proves so, the judge shall give him a period not exceeding (90) ninety days. If he refuses to pay after the expiry of the period, the judge shall impose divorce on him. In all cases, the divorce in this case occurs as a minor irrevocable divorce. 3. If the case for non-support is filed more than twice and the court finds in each case that there has been no support, and the wife requests a divorce for non-support, the judge shall divorce her from him irrevocably.

Article (79) Divorce Ruling Due to Absence, Loss, and Imprisonment 1. The wife is entitled to request divorce due to the absence of her husband whose domicile or place of residence is known if he is absent from her for a period of not less than (6) six months, even if he has property from which maintenance can be paid, unless the absence is due to work. The ruling shall not be issued until after warning him either to reside with his wife, or to transfer her to him, or to divorce her, provided that he is given a period not exceeding (180) one hundred and eighty days from the date of serving the warning to him. 2. The wife of a missing person whose domicile or place of residence is unknown may request divorce, and she shall not be granted such a ruling until after investigation and searching for him and the passage of one year from the date of filing the case.

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Federal Decree-Law of 2024 On the Issuance of the Personal Status Law 35 3. The wife of an imprisoned person who has been sentenced to a final judgment restricting freedom for a period of (3) three years or more may request the court -after one year of his imprisonment- to divorce her from him irrevocably, even if he has property from which she can spend. Such ruling in favor of the wife to revoke the marriage contract is subject to the condition that the husband does not get out of prison during the consideration of the case or that less than (6) six months remain of his imprisonment sentence.

Article (86) The Waiting Period of a Nonpregnant Woman Whose Husband Has Died The waiting period of a nonpregnant woman whose husband has died is as follows: 1. Before intercourse or after, it is (4) four months and (10) ten days in the lunar months.

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Federal Decree-Law of 2024 On the Issuance of the Personal Status Law 37 2. If a woman is in the waiting period from a revocable divorce, the waiting period shifts to the waiting period for death, and what has passed is not counted. 3. If a woman is in the waiting period from khula’, revocation or irrevocable divorce, she shall complete her waiting period and is not subject to waiting period for death, unless the divorce occurred during a dying sickness and without her request, in which her waiting period shall be the longer of the two Periods. 4. The waiting period of a woman who has been consummated with, by virtue of a void contract or by suspicion, if the man dies, shall be the waiting period for divorce. 5. In all cases, if one of the spouses dies during the hearing of the appeal or challenge before the higher courts, the waiting period is calculated from the date of issuance of the appealed judgment. Chapter Six Lineage

Article (94) Hearing Accusation of Adultery Case 1. If a case of accusation of adultery is filed to deny the child’s paternity, the court shall consider it after conducting a DNA test based on a court order, if the woman agrees to conduct it. 2. If the woman does not agree to conduct a DNA test, the court shall proceed with the accusation of adultery case without it. 3. The accusation of adultery to deny the child’s lineage shall be performed before the court in accordance with the formula prescribed by Sharia. If the man swears the oaths of accusation of adultery and the woman refuses to perform it, the court shall rule without her oaths. 4. The result of the accusation of adultery is the denial of the child’s lineage. The child’s lineage shall be established -even after a ruling denying it- if the man withdrew his accusation, any later child’s lineage denial afterwards shall not be accepted.

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Federal Decree-Law of 2024 On the Issuance of the Personal Status Law 40 Chapter Seven Alimony

Article (97) Increasing and Decreasing Alimony 1. Alimony may be increased or decreased upon the change of circumstances. 2. The court shall determine the increase or decrease of alimony in accordance with the circumstances and conditions and in consideration of the following: a. In the event of an increase, the ruling shall not be retrospective for more than (6) six months. b. In the event of a reduction, the ruling shall not be retrospective and shall be calculated from the date of issuance of the ruling unless the ruling specifies another date. 3. A claim for increase or decrease shall not be heard before one year has passed from the date on which the alimony ruling becomes final, unless in exceptional circumstances determined by the court.

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Article (101) Maintenance and Housing for a Woman in Waiting Period 1. Maintenance for a woman in a waiting period from a revocable divorce, shall be obligatory 2. Maintenance is obligatory in favor of a pregnant woman who is in her waiting period after an irrevocable divorce until she gives birth. 3. Maintenance is not obligatory for a woman in her waiting period after an irrevocable divorce if she is not pregnant.

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Federal Decree-Law of 2024 On the Issuance of the Personal Status Law 42 4. There is no maintenance for a woman in her waiting period after khula’ or death. 5. If a woman is in her waiting period after death, and is not pregnant, her expenses shall be paid from the property of the fetus until she gives birth. If it has no property, the expenses shall be paid by the heir of the fetus. In all cases stipulated in this Article, the woman in waiting period is entitled to reside in the marital home for the duration of her waiting period, unless it is unsuitable, in which case she is entitled to reside in a suitable home.

Article (105) Categories that May Reside in the Marital House 1. The husband may have his parents and children from another wife live with his wife in the marital house, if he is responsible for their maintenance, provided that this does not cause harm to the wife. 2. The wife may have her children from another husband live with her in the marital house if they have no guardian other than her, or if they would be harmed by her separation, or if the husband agrees to that explicitly or implicitly. The husband has the right to withdraw if he is harmed by that. 3. If the spouses jointly own, rent or provide the marital house, neither of them may have anyone live with them except with the consent of the other party. 4. The husband may have more than one wife living in the same building, provided that the housing is suitable, each wife has almost complete independence in the housing in all aspects, for example, sanitary and service facilities, entrances and exits, and the court may add other conditions based on the request of the aggrieved wife.

Article (106) Child Maintenance 1. The maintenance of a young child who has no money is the responsibility of his father, until the girl marries or works, and until the boy reaches the age at which his peers can earn a living, unless he is a student who continues his studies with usual success in accordance with custom and in accordance with what the court estimates. 2. The maintenance of an adult son, who is unable to earn a living due to a disability or otherwise, is the responsibility of his father if he does not have property from which to spend. 3. The maintenance of a female is the responsibility of her father if she is divorced or her husband dies, unless she has property, or that she works, or someone else is responsible for her maintenance.

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Federal Decree-Law of 2024 On the Issuance of the Personal Status Law 44 4. If a child’s money is not enough to cover his expenses, his father shall complete them within the previous conditions. 5. The father shall bear the costs of breastfeeding his child if the mother is unable to breastfeed him/her, this shall be deemed a sort of maintenance. 6. A child’s maintenance shall be on his/her solvent mother if the father is lost and has no property, or is unable to provide for him/her. She has the right to be reimbursed from the father with what she spent if he becomes solvent and the spending was permissible by him or the court.

Article (108) Distribution of Parental Maintenance Among Children 1. Parents' maintenance is distributed among their children in accordance with the solvency of each one of them. 2. If one of the children spends on his/her parents or one of them willingly, he/she has no right to be reimbursed by his/her siblings. 3. If one of the children spends on his/her parents or one of them subject to a ruling on the children to pay maintenance, then the one who spent may claim from each of his/her siblings what he/she spent in accordance with the ruling, as long as his/her spending was with the intention of being reimbursed.

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Federal Decree-Law of 2024 On the Issuance of the Personal Status Law 45

Article (112) Definition of Custody 1. Custody is the preservation, upbringing, and care of the child, and looking after his/her interests in a manner that does not contradict the guardian’s right to guardianship. 2. The father, or else other guardians of the child in custody, shall look after his/her affairs, discipline, orientation, and education. 3. By way of exception from Clause (2) of this Article, a custodian mother, shall have the educational guardianship over the child, in a way that achieves the interest of the child in custody. 4. If there is a dispute concerning the interest of the child in custody, such dispute shall be presented by the concerned parties to the Judge of Summary Matters in order to render a decision in the form of an order on a petition, considering the extent of solvency of the guardian, in a manner not affecting the right of the custodian mother in educational guardianship. 5. If the interest of the child in custody requires the transfer of the educational guardianship from the custodian mother to the father or another person whose guardianship over the child in custody is proved, it is permissible for any of them to present the matter to the Judge of Summary Matters in order to render a decision in the form of an order on a petition concerning the person who shall have the educational guardianship over the child in custody. 6. If the right of custody of the child in custody is for females, within the prohibited degrees of kinship, apart from the mother, and guardianship is to anyone other than the father, the custodian woman, in accordance with the interest of the child in custody, may present the matter to the Judge of Summary Matters in order to render its decision in the form of an order on a petition concerning the person who shall have the educational guardianship over the child in custody .

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Federal Decree-Law of 2024 On the Issuance of the Personal Status Law 47 7. The provisions of this Article shall not violate the duty of maintenance decided for the child in custody according to this Law.

Article (113) Conditions in the Custodian The following conditions shall be available in the custodian: 1. Sanity, and reaching the age of (18) eighteen Gregorian years if the custodian is the mother or father, and reaching the age of majority if the custodian is someone other than them. 2. Trustworthiness and the ability to raise the child in a proper manner, protect him/her, care for him/her, and supervise his/her education. 3. Free of infectious or dangerous diseases that may pose a threat to the life or health of the child in custody. 4. If the custodian is a woman, she shall be unmarried to a man who is not related to the child in custody, unless the interest of the child in custody requires otherwise, in accordance with the court discretion. 5. If the custodian is a man, he shall be a Mahrem8 to the child in custody if she is a female, and a woman suitable for custody resides with the custodian. 6. Not have been previously convicted of a sexual crime. 7. Not to be addicted to drugs, psychotropic substances or alcohol. 8. The custodian and the child in custody shall share the same religion, unless the custodian is a mother of a religion other than that of the child in custody and the court decides otherwise to the benefit of the child in custody in accordance with the conditions decided by the court.

Article (115) The Extinguishment of the Right to Custody 1. The right to custody is extinguished in the following cases: a. If one of the conditions that shall be met by the custodian is lost. b. If the custodian fails to perform the duties of custody or is unable to perform them. c. If the custodian moves to a place with the intention of residence, with which the interests of the child in custody shall not be met. d. If the person entitled to custody remains silent about claiming it for a period exceeding one year from the date on which he became aware of the reason of entitlement without an excuse, unless the interest of the child in custody requires otherwise. e. If the new custodian lives with the person whose custody was lost for a reason other than health disability. f. The custodian commits a disgraceful act that affects the child in custody. 2. A person whose right to custody has been extinguished may apply to the court to request it again if the reason of extinguishment ceases to exist.

Article (116) Conditions for Travelling with the Child in Custody Out of The State 1. The custodial parent may travel with the child in custody out of the State with the written approval of the other parent or guardian over the person ( Wali Al-Nafs) in the event of the father’s death. 2. The court may authorize the custodian parents to travel with the child in custody for a period or periods not exceeding a total of (60) sixty days per year with a guarantee acceptable to the court that guarantees the return of the child in custody. The calculation of the year begins

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Federal Decree-Law of 2024 On the Issuance of the Personal Status Law 49 from the first permit. The court may exceed this period if the travel is for the benefit of the child in custody, for treatment, or for a necessity that it determines after hearing the statements of the other parent or the guardian over the person ( Wali Al-Nafs) in the event of the father’s death, unless attendance is impossible. 3. The non-parent custodial may travel with the child out of the State with the written consent of the parents or one of them in case of the other’s death or the guardian over the person ( Wali Al-Nafs) in the event of the father’s death or the death of both of them. 4. The court may authorize the non-parent custodian parent to travel with the child in custody for a period or periods not exceeding a total of (60) sixty days per year with a guarantee acceptable to the court that guarantees the return of the child in custody. The calculation of the year begins from the first permit. The court may exceed this period if the travel is for the benefit of the child in custody, for treatment, or for a necessity that it determines after hearing the statements of the parents or one of them in case of the other’s death, or the guardian over the person ( Wali Al-Nafs) in the event of the father’s death or the death of both of them, unless attendance is impossible.

Article (117) Passport of the Child in Custody 1. Without prejudice to the provisions of Article (116) of this Law, the guardian may keep the passport of the child in custody, except in the case of travel, in which case it shall be handed over to the custodian. 2. The court may order keeping the passport in the hand of the custodian if it sees obstinacy on the part of the guardian in handing it over to the custodian in times of need. 3. The custodian has the right to keep the original birth certificate and any other identification documents related to the child in custody, or an authenticated copy thereof, and she has the right to keep the identification card of the child in custody.

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Federal Decree-Law of 2024 On the Issuance of the Personal Status Law 50 4. Anyone who has reached (18) eighteen years of age without any impediment to capacity, male or female, may keep his/her passport and any of his/her other identification documents unless the court decides otherwise.

Article (121) Visitation of the Child in Custody 1. If the child is in the custody of one of the parents, the other parent has the right to visit him/her, take him/her with them for visit, and take him/her for sleepover according to their mutual agreement, in the event of a dispute, the court shall decide what it deems to be in the interest of the child in custody. 2. If one of the parents of the child in custody is deceased or absent, or if the child in custody is with other than his/her parents, the court may specify an eligible visitor from among his/her relatives in accordance with the interest of the child in custody. 3. The court may require the custodian, or the person granted visitation rights, to bear the transportation expenses within the State to facilitate the visitation, in accordance with the circumstances of the case. 4. The enforcement judge may, with the agreement of the custodian and the person entitled to visitation, change the dates and places of visitation in a manner that achieves the best interests of the child in custody. 5. The court’s ruling shall be enforced compulsorily if the custodian refuses to enforce it.

Article (124) Identification Documents Subject to the provisions of Articles (116) and (117) of this Law, the custodian shall keep the identification documents of the child in custody, provided that he/she does not use them for travel without the permit by the guardian or the court, and that he/she does not use them in a way that harms the guardian or conflicts his guardianship or contravenes the interest of the child in custody or benefits unlawfully from them. In the event of his/her contravention, the guardian may request the identification documents, and they shall not be handed to the custodian thereafter except with the permit of the court and as required by the interest of the child in custody. The father shall bear the expenses of obtaining and renewing the identification documents. Chapter Nine Guardianship, Tutorship and Trusteeship

Article (125) The Minor 1. A minor is either of deficient capacity or incomplete capacity. 2. A non-discerning minor, lunatic, and idiot are of deficient capacity. A fetus, a missing person, or an absent person are also deemed of a deficient capacity. 3. A discerning minor and anyone who reached the age of majority but is prodigal or inadvertent are of incomplete capacity. 4. Subject to the provisions of Articles (19) and (113) of this Law, the capacity along with its impediments, or deficiency, or incompleteness, besides the age of majority, guardianship, and tutorship, are subject to the provisions of the Civil Transactions Law.

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Federal Decree-Law of 2024 On the Issuance of the Personal Status Law 53

Article (128) Divisions of Guardianship Over the Minor 1. Guardianship over the minor is divided into the following: a. Guardianship over the person ( Wilayah Ala AL-Nafs)9, which means general supervision over the person of the minor in a manner that does not conflict with the authority of the custodian to manage the affairs of the child in custody. 9 For the purpose of this Law, the term “guardianship over the person” is used interchangeably with the Arabic term “ Wilayah Ala Al-Nafs”, unless otherwise expressly stated.

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Federal Decree-Law of 2024 On the Issuance of the Personal Status Law 54 b. Guardianship over property ( Wilayah Ala AL-Mal)10, which means taking care of everything related to the minor’s property. 2. Both guardianships may be combined in one person.

Article (130) Conditions that Shall be Met by the Guardian or Trustee The guardian or trustee shall meet the following conditions: 1. To be of full legal capacity, trustworthy and able to carry out the requirements of the guardianship or trusteeship entrusted to him/her. 2. To be of the same religion as the person under guardianship if he/she is a Muslim with regard to guardianship over the person. 3. Not been convicted of a crime against honor or trust, unless his/her standing has been redeemed. 4. Not been declared insolvent or bankrupt due to his/her inability to manage his/her own property with regard to guardianship over property. 5. Not to have been sentenced to be removed from guardianship of another minor due to harming him/her or neglecting to preserve his/her property. 6. There is no enmity between him/her and the minor that would harm the interests of the minor. 10 For the purpose of this Law, the term “guardianship over property” is used interchangeably with the Arabic term “ Wilayah Ala Al-Mal”, unless otherwise expressly stated.

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Federal Decree-Law of 2024 On the Issuance of the Personal Status Law 55

Article (137) Disposition of the Minor’s Property The guardian may not conduct the following with the minor’s property except with the court’s permit: 1. Disposing of the minor’s immovable property by transferring ownership or creating a real right over it, except for a necessity or an apparent interest as determined by the court. 2. Borrowing for the benefit of the minor, provided that it does not violate the provisions of Islamic Sharia. 3. Renting the minor’s immovable property for a period extending beyond one year after his/her age of majority. 4. Continuing a trade that is rendered to the minor. 5. Accepting a grant or gift to the minor that is burdened with obligations.

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Federal Decree-Law of 2024 On the Issuance of the Personal Status Law 57 6. The guardian’s spending on himself/herself from the minor’s property if his/her expenses are obligatory upon the Minor.

Article (144) Tutor’s Acts Requiring Court’s Permit The tutor may not do the following except with the court’s permit: 1. Disposition of the minor’s property through selling, buying, bartering, partnership, mortgage, or any other kind of dispositions that transfer ownership of property or arranges a real right on it. 2. Disposition of bonds and stocks, or dividends thereof, and the movable items that are not expected to be damaged unless they are of little value. 3. Transferring the minor’s debts, or accepting subrogation on him/her if he/she is a debtor. 4. Investing the minor’s property for his/her interest. 5. Borrowing property for the interest of the minor. 6. Renting a minor’s immovable property. 7. Acceptance or rejection of conditional grants.

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Federal Decree-Law of 2024 On the Issuance of the Personal Status Law 59 8. Spending from the minor’s property on those whose maintenance is due on the minor, unless such maintenance is established by an enforceable judgment. 9. Payment of due obligations on the estate or on the minor. 10. Acknowledgment of a right against the minor. 11. Reconciliation and arbitration 12. Filing a case if the delay in its filing is not prejudicial or extinguishes a right to the minor. 13. Abandoning the case and not using the legal routes of appeal. 14. Selling or leasing the minor’s property for himself/herself, his/her spouse or one of their ascendants or descendants, or to whom the tutor is an agent. 15. What is spent on the marriage of a minor, such as dowry and the like, in accordance with the applicable legislation. 16. Education of the minor if it needs expenditure. 17. Expenditure required for the minor to conduct a specific profession.

Article (149) Multiple Tutors If there are multiple tutors, the order of tutorship shall be, unless the will includes otherwise, as follows: 1. If the father assigns tutorship to several people in one will, they shall share the tutorship, and none of them shall be isolated from the others unless the father assigns that to him/her, or the remaining tutors authorize him/her. 2. If the father assigns tutorship to multiple persons in more than one will and the latter one is not aware of it, they shall share tutorship unless the court deems their separability is in the interest of the minor. 3. If the father assigns tutorship to one person and then assigns it to another, it shall be for the latter, unless a presumption denotes that they be joint. The court may specify the powers of each tutor if the father does not specify the powers of each of them.

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Federal Decree-Law of 2024 On the Issuance of the Personal Status Law 61

Article (153) Obligatory Denial of Guardianship Over the Person Guardianship over the person shall obligatorily be denied in the following cases: 1. If one of the conditions required for the guardian is not met. 2. If the Guardian fails to fulfill the duties of guardianship or tutorship or is unable to fulfill them. 3. If the court finds that the minor’s property is in danger.

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Federal Decree-Law of 2024 On the Issuance of the Personal Status Law 62 4. If the guardian or tutor commits, together with the person under his/her guardianship or tutorship or with someone else, the crime of rape or sexual assault, or leads him/her into prostitution or the like. 5. If a final judgment is issued against the guardian or tutor in a felony or intentional misdemeanor, or something less, committed by him/her or someone else against the person under guardianship or tutorship.

Article (154) Permissible Denying of Guardianship Over the Person 1. A guardian’s power of guardianship over the person may be revoked, in whole or in part, permanently or temporarily, if the person under guardianship becomes exposed to serious danger to his/her safety, health, honour, morals, or education due to the guardian’s mistreatment of him/her, or setting a bad example as a result of the guardian’s reputation for bad conduct or addiction to intoxicants, drugs, or psychotropic substances, or due to lack of care. In this case, it is not required that a judgment be issued punishing the guardian for any of the same. 2. Instead of revoking guardianship, the court may entrust the minor to one of the specialized institutions while the guardian’s guardianship continues.

Article (156) Cases of Termination of Guardianship and Trusteeship Guardianship and tutorship shall end if any of the following cases occur: 1. The minor has reached the age of majority and owns his/her mental abilities. 2. Lifting the interdiction from the interdicted person. 3. Death of a minor. 4. The minor’s father regains his legal capacity and his ability to carry out guardianship duties. 5. Dismissal of the guardian or tutor, or acceptance of his/her resignation. 6. Death of the guardian or tutor, or his/her deficiency in capacity or its incompleteness. 7. Proof of the loss or absence of the guardian or tutor. 8. The end of the state of loss or absence of the person under guardianship.

Article (159) Death or Deficiency of the Capacity of the Guardian, Tutor or Trustee Appointed by the Court 1. Without prejudice to the provisions of the legislation in force in the state concerning the regulation of births and deaths, police stations shall inform the Public Prosecution of any death occurring within their jurisdiction. The Public Prosecution shall inform the court within whose jurisdiction it is located if it becomes clear to it that the deceased is a guardian, tutor or trustee of minors and there is fear that their property will be lost due to his/her death. 2. Without prejudice to the provisions of Clause (1) of this Article, if the guardian, trustee, or trustee appointed by the court dies or loses his legal capacity, his heirs or whoever takes possession of his estate or part thereof shall inform the competent court to protect the rights of the Minor.

Article (169) Termination of Loss 1. The loss ends in either of the following two cases: a. If the missing person’s life is confirmed.

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Federal Decree-Law of 2024 On the Issuance of the Personal Status Law 67 b. If a court ruling is issued declaring the missing person presumably deceased, the court shall in all cases not rule the missing person dead, except in the following cases: 1. Evidence of his/her death has been established. 2. After one year has passed from the date of reporting his/her loss to the competent authority, if his/her loss was in circumstances in which his/her death is not likely. 3. After a period of (3) three months from the date of loss, if his/her loss was in circumstances in which his/her death is likely. 2. The date of issuance of the judgment of death of the missing person shall be deemed the date of his/her death, unless the actual date of his/her death is proven later.

Article (179) Mandatory Will ( Al-Wasiya Al-Wajibah) 1. If a person dies, even if such death is legally deemed, and has son’s or daughter’s children, and that son or daughter is deceased before him/her or with him/her, these grandchildren are entitled, within the limits of one-third of his/her estate, to a mandatory will according to the following amount and conditions: a. The mandatory will for these grandchildren shall be equivalent to the amount of their share from what their father/mother would have inherited from their deceased

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Federal Decree-Law of 2024 On the Issuance of the Personal Status Law 70 ascendant presuming that their father/mother dies following the death of his/her said ascendant, provided that this share does not exceed one-third of the estate. b. These grandchildren are not entitled to a mandatory will if they are heirs of their deceased grandfather or grandmother, or if he/she had bequeathed to them or given them during his/her lifetime without consideration the amount they are entitled to by virtue of this mandatory will. If he/she bequeathed to them less than that, it is obligatory to be supplemented. If he/she bequeathed more, the excess shall be treated as a discretionary will. If he/she bequeathed to some of them only, the will is mandatory for the other in accordance with his/her share. c. This mandatory will applies to the son’s children and the daughter’s children, even if they descend, whether they are one or more, the male receiving twice the female’s shares, in which each ascendant (root) excludes its descendants (branch), but not the descendant (branch) of another, where each descendant (branch) takes only the share of its ascendant (root). 2. The mandatory Will takes precedence over the discretionary wills in being taken from one- third of the estate. 3. The murderer of the testator11 and the apostate shall be deprived of deserving the mandatory will in accordance with the provisions of this Law.

Article (180) Multiplicity of Wills 1. The multiplicity of wills is not deemed a revocation of the previous will unless the testator expressly declares his/her revocation thereof, and any interested party may prove its revocation. 2. If there are multiple wills, without specifying the bequeathed property and the insufficiency of the one-third, then the deficiency is proportionally imposed on all the devisees in 11 i.e. the grandfather/grandmother.

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Federal Decree-Law of 2024 On the Issuance of the Personal Status Law 71 accordance with his/her share. If the bequeathed property is specified, it shall be divided equally among all the devisees, unless variance is stipulated by the testator.

Article (185) The Binding Nature of the Will in Accordance with the Devisee The will is binding in accordance with the devisee as follows: 1. If it is for a specific natural person and a limited group, upon its acceptance after the death of the testator, in which case ownership is transferred to the devisee from the time of acceptance. 2. If it is for a minor, then it is binding with the approval of his/her guardian. 3. If it is for charity causes permissible by Sharia, or for an unlimited group, then the will becomes binding upon the death of the testator without acceptance. 4. If it is for a legal person, then it is binding after the approval of the person authorized to accept it in accordance with the regulating provisions. 5. If it is for a mosque, then it is binding after the approval of the supervising authority, and if it is for an endowment ( Waqf)12, then it is binding after the approval of its trustee.

Article (187) Notifying the Devisee to Accept or Reject the Will 1. Acceptance or rejection of a will is not required immediately upon the testator’s death. 2. If the devisee does not express acceptance or rejection, then anyone who has a right to the estate, or the will or its execution may submit to the court a request to notify the devisee, the court shall set a period for him/her to accept not exceeding (30) thirty days from the date of notifying him/her. In case of the devisee’s failure to respond without an excuse acceptable by the court, he/she shall be deemed to have rejected it. If the devisee is a legal person, the court shall estimate the appropriate period for expressing acceptance or rejection. 3. If the devisee dies after the death of the testator and before accepting or rejecting the Will, the right to accept or reject shall be transferred to the devisee’s heirs in proportion to each heir’s share in the Will. Clause (2) of this Article shall apply to the devisee’s heirs to determine their position on accepting or rejecting the will.

Article (199) Cases of Nullification of the Will The will is nullified in the following cases: 1. The testator’s revocation of his/her Will, in words or deed. 2. The death of the specified devisee before the testator, or their simultaneous death, or it is unknown who died first, unless the will is to settle the devisee’s debt. 3. The devisee’s rejection of the Will after the death of the testator and before acceptance. 4. The testator’s murder by the devisee in a way barring inheritance. 5. The destruction of the specified bequest, or its entitlement to a third party13 other than the testator. 13 Disposition, or a decree stating that the property belongs to a third party ( Istihqaq).

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Federal Decree-Law of 2024 On the Issuance of the Personal Status Law 77 Chapter Twelve The Estate

Article (218) Inheritance of the Son’s Daughter 1. The son’s daughter inherits “half” if she is one, and “two-thirds” if they are two son’s daughters or more if the following two conditions are met: a. The deceased does not have a descendant heir above her. b. The deceased does not have a son’s son of her degree. 2. The son’s daughter inherits “one-sixth” if there is one or more, if the following two conditions are met: a. The presence of an inheriting daughter of “the half” as a fixed share. b. The deceased does not have a son’s son of her degree. 3. The son’s daughter inherits, if there is one or more, the remainder with the deceased son’s son of her degree or lower, agnatically by others, with the male receiving twice the share of the female, provided that there is no male inheriting descendant in a degree higher than hers.

Article (219) Inheritance of the Full Sister 1. The full sister inherits “half” if she is one, and “two-thirds” if there are two or more if the following conditions are met: a. The deceased does not have a male ascendant heir. b. The deceased does not have a descendant heir. c. The deceased does not have a full brother. 2. The full sister, if there is one or more, shall inherit the remainder with the full brother agnatically by others, with the male receiving twice the share of the female, if the following two conditions are met: a. The deceased does not have a male ascendant heir. b. The deceased does not have a male descendant heir. 3. The full sister, if there is one or more, shall solely inherit the remainder agnatically with others, if the following conditions are met:

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Federal Decree-Law of 2024 On the Issuance of the Personal Status Law 83 a. The deceased does not have a male ascendant heir. b. The deceased does not have a male descendant heir. c. The deceased does not have a full brother. d. The deceased has a female descendant heir.

Article (220) Inheritance of the Paternal Half-Sister 1. Without prejudice to the conditions stipulated in Clause (1) of Article (219) of this Law, a paternal half-sister inherits “half” if she is one, and “two-thirds” if they are two or more, if the deceased does not have a full sister nor a paternal half-brother. 2. The paternal half-sister, if there is one or more, shall inherit “one-sixth” if the following two conditions are met: a. The existence of a full sister inheriting “half” as a fixed share. b. The deceased does not have a paternal half-brother. 3. The paternal half-sister, if there is one or more, shall inherit the remainder with the paternal half-brother agnatically by others, with the male receiving twice the share of the female, if the following two conditions are met a. The deceased does not have a male ascendant heir. b. The deceased does not have a male descendant heir. c. The deceased does not have a full brother. 4. The paternal half-sister, if there is one or more, shall solely inherit the remainder agnatically with others, if the following conditions are met: a. The deceased does not have a male ascendant heir. b. The deceased does not have a male descendant heir. c. The deceased has a female descendant heir. d. The deceased does not have a full brother or a full sister. e. The deceased does not have a paternal half-brother.

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Federal Decree-Law of 2024 On the Issuance of the Personal Status Law 84

Article (226) Agnate by Person Agnates by person are men heirs by kinship, except the maternal half-brother. Their lined in order is as follows: 1. Sonship: including the deceased sons, and the son’s sons, even if they descend. 2. Paternity: including the deceased father, the paternal grandfather, and so on, even if they ascend. 3. Brotherhood: including the deceased full brothers, or paternal half-brothers, and their sons, even if they descend. 4. Paternal Uncles: including the deceased full paternal uncles or half-paternal uncles, the paternal uncles of the father, the paternal uncles of the grandfather, and so on, even if they ascend (full or half-paternal uncles), and the paternal cousins and so even if they descend (full or half-paternal cousins).

Article (235) Types of Uterine Relatives Uterine relatives are 3 parties divided as follows: 1. The paternal side, which includes all those related to the deceased through the father, and they are the following relatives:

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Federal Decree-Law of 2024 On the Issuance of the Personal Status Law 88 a. The non-inheriting grandfather in accordance with the provisions of Clause (1) of Article (214) of this Law. b. The non-inheriting grandmother in accordance with the provisions of Clause (1) of Article (216) of this Law. c. The paternal half-uncle. d. The paternal aunt. e. The daughter of a paternal uncle. f. The daughter of a full brother or a paternal half-brother. g. The son of a sister from another mother. h. The son of a sister in general. 2. The maternal side, which includes all those related to the deceased through the mother, and they are the following relatives: a. The non-inheriting grandfather in accordance with the provisions of Clause (1) of Article (214) of this Law. b. The non-inheriting grandmother in accordance with the provisions of Clause (1) of Article (216) of this Law. c. The maternal uncle. d. The maternal aunt. e. The son of a maternal half-brother and a maternal half-sister. f. The children of the previous relatives. 3. The sonship side, which includes all the descendants of the deceased, which are the following relatives: a. The daughter’s son. b. The grandson of the son through a daughter. c. Children of the previous relatives.

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Federal Decree-Law of 2024 On the Issuance of the Personal Status Law 89

Article (246) Heirs' Acknowledgement of Lineage 1. The deceased’s acknowledgement of lineage during his lifetime has no effect on the heirs unless the acknowledgement meets the conditions for its validity. 2. If he acknowledges a lineage to someone else and it is not proved in accordance with Article (91) of this Law, and he does not retract his acknowledgement, the person to whom the acknowledgement is made shall be entitled to the estate of the person who made the acknowledgement unless he has an heir.

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Federal Decree-Law of 2024 On the Issuance of the Personal Status Law 92 3. If some of the heirs acknowledge the lineage of someone to their deceased, the one to whom the acknowledgement is made shares with the one who made the acknowledgement in his/her entitlement to the inheritance to the exclusion of others unless he/she is excluded.

Article (249) Types of Al-Takharuj from the Estate 1. If one of the heirs chose to go for Al-Takharuj from the estate with another, he/she is entitled to his/her share and replaces him/her in the estate. 2. If one of the heirs chose to execute Al-Takharuj from the estate with the rest of them in return for a consideration from the estate, then his share shall be divided among the rest of the heirs in proportion to their shares in the estate.

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Federal Decree-Law of 2024 On the Issuance of the Personal Status Law 93 3. If one of the heirs chose Al-Takharaj from the estate with the rest of the heirs in exchange for a known consideration from outside the Estate, then his share shall be divided among the rest of the heirs in proportion to what each one of them paid, unless they agreed otherwise. 4. If it is not known what each of the Heirs has given and the method of dividing the share of the one who chose Al-Takharuj is not specified in the Al-Takharuj contract, then his/her share is divided among the remaining heirs in proportion to their shares in the estate.

Article (251) Without prejudice to any harsher penalty, imprisonment and a fine of not less than (5,000) five thousand dirhams and not more than (100,000) one hundred thousand dirhams or one of these two penalties, shall be the punishment of anyone who is entrusted with the affairs of a minor, and those in the same category, and commits one of the following acts: 1. Disposes of, embezzles, uses, squanders, or conceals the property of a minor, or someone in the same category, or his/her documents, to his/her detriment, or disposes of them without the court permit, and the court does not approve the disposal thereafter. 2. Causes -through his/her fault or negligence- damage to the property of a minor, or someone in the same category. 3. Unjustifiably refuses to hand over the papers of the minor, or those in the same category, and all related accounts and documents, to the concerned party. 4. Disposes of or uses the minor’s property and papers after his/her authority over the minor has ended.

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Federal Decree-Law of 2024 On the Issuance of the Personal Status Law 94 The issuance of a criminal judgment of conviction in Clauses (1) and (2) of this Article shall be a compelling reason for the withdrawal of guardianship over property and the like.