Know where you stand before you take the next step
Speak with Faris Raian and his team about divorce, children, financial support and settlement terms. We review your circumstances and explain the legal options so you can make informed decisions.
Divorce advice is not only for someone ready to file a case. You may need to understand your rights, respond to your spouse or check whether proposed terms are fair and workable. Tell us the decision you face and what has happened so far.
I am considering divorce
You want to understand the legal position before starting a difficult conversation or making a formal application. We can review your marriage documents, children’s arrangements and financial concerns. The consultation can help identify what needs attention now and which questions require further records.
My spouse has asked for divorce
You may have received a message, a proposed agreement or official papers. These do not all have the same legal effect. We review what you have received, any date involved and the issues you need to address. You can seek advice even if you have not decided how to respond.
We agree to divorce but need proper terms
Agreement to end a marriage can leave important questions unresolved. You may still need to address children, payments, property and the formal procedure. We help assess the proposed terms and explain any gaps before you rely on an informal arrangement or sign a document.
A divorce case is already underway
You may need advice about a hearing, a disputed request or a decision already made. Share the complete papers and a short case history. We assess the stage and proposed work so that advice addresses the current problem rather than starts from assumptions about what has already happened.
Keep the complete document and the date you received it. Tell the team about a hearing or response deadline at the start. Sending an enquiry does not postpone a legal obligation or confirm that a practitioner will attend. Obtain clear confirmation of the work accepted and who is responsible for it.
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Safety or a child travel concern
If anyone is in immediate danger, contact the police or emergency services directly. If a child may be taken abroad, explain the planned date, current location and any consent or court order. Advice can then assess whether an urgent legal step is available. A consultation should not delay immediate protection.
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An agreement you are being asked to sign
Ask for the full document and enough time to understand it. A settlement may affect money, children, assets and future obligations. Tell us about any pressure to sign and any language you do not understand. Review is especially important where the draft contains terms that were not discussed or records facts you dispute.
Faris Raian is a senior legal consultant with more than 15 years of UAE legal experience, according to his published professional profile. His work includes family disputes, divorce, custody and maintenance, alongside litigation and commercial matters. He advises private clients and families dealing with UAE legal issues.
For a divorce involving property, business interests or disputed payments, the financial records may require attention alongside the family issues. Faris and his team can assess the proposed scope and the documents needed to understand those connections. Advice should remain specific to your circumstances and the law that applies.
Tell us the questions you need answered and request a consultation with Faris. The team will confirm availability, the appropriate review and any conflict check. Ask what documents should be considered, who will attend and the consultation fee before the appointment.
A team organised around the agreed work
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Your appointment should explain who handles preparation, who communicates with you and who advises on important decisions. The work may concern a single review or a wider matter. New court papers, proposed terms and changed circumstances should reach the responsible person through the agreed channel.
Professional roles explained
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Legal advice and court appearances may involve different practitioners. Where representation is required, the practitioner authorised to act before the relevant court must be identified. Ask whether the scope includes filing, hearings, negotiations, enforcement or a possible challenge. Each stage should have a clear responsibility.
Divorce services
Legal support for the part of divorce you need to resolve
Our divorce lawyers in Dubai help assess the legal questions around ending a marriage and addressing connected family matters. The proposed work depends on the applicable rules, the stage reached and whether the issues can be agreed. A useful plan separates the divorce itself from children, support and other claims that may need their own attention.
Advice before a divorce application
We review your circumstances to identify the possible legal route, relevant documents and immediate priorities. This can include whether a court has jurisdiction, which legal framework may apply and whether there are proceedings elsewhere. You can also discuss the practical effect of existing agreements and financial commitments.
What to consider+
The first review should explain what is known and what needs further checking. It should not promise an outcome based only on a short account. Where a decision may affect children, housing, money or travel, the legal consequences should be considered before action is taken.
Divorce applications and responses
We assess the procedure and preparation needed for the application or response. The marriage record, family details and circumstances of the request must be checked. Where a particular legal basis needs supporting evidence, we help identify the material relevant to that issue and the claims being made.
What to consider+
If your spouse has already started a case, we review the documents and current stage before advising on the response. Disagreement about divorce, children and money can raise different questions. The work should address the actual request rather than rely on a general statement that you agree or disagree.
Agreed divorce and settlement preparation
We help review and prepare terms where the parties are able to reach agreement. Clear terms should identify the obligations, dates and formal steps needed. If children are involved, practical arrangements need to be considered alongside the wording of the agreement and the applicable legal requirements.
What to consider+
Before signing, understand how the document will take effect and how an obligation can be enforced. A private draft and a formally recorded settlement may have different consequences. Any term dealing with future payments, property transfers or a child’s arrangements should be reviewed for its purpose and legal effect.
Disputed divorce matters
We assess the issues that remain in dispute and the evidence relevant to each one. The work may involve reviewing allegations, preparing submissions or responding to an application. A disputed case needs a clear account of the facts and the decision sought, supported by records where available.
What to consider+
We also consider whether any issue can still be agreed to reduce the points requiring a decision. Settlement discussions should not distract from a deadline or necessary application. Where court proceedings are needed, the scope and authorised practitioner should be confirmed before you rely on the team to act.
Temporary and connected family requests
Some questions need attention while the main dispute continues. You may need advice about support, a child’s care, travel or another immediate concern. We assess whether a separate or temporary request can be made, what legal conditions apply and which records may support it.
What to consider+
An urgent need does not guarantee that an application will be granted. The request must explain the particular issue and lawful basis. Tell us about existing orders and any action already taken so the advice addresses the current position without creating conflicting steps.
Divorce judgments and later steps
A divorce judgment may be followed by questions about support, enforcement or a possible challenge. We review the complete decision, its status and the date it was received. The available route depends on the issue and procedure. A challenge should be based on an available legal ground and made within the applicable deadline.
What to consider+
Do not assume that a challenge suspends every obligation or that the divorce decision completes all connected matters. Updating records, carrying out agreed transfers or seeking recognition abroad may involve further work. The appointment should explain which of these tasks, if any, is included.
Where children are involved, the legal discussion needs to address their daily lives as well as the parents’ disagreement. A family divorce lawyer can help identify the decisions that need advice and any application required. Existing orders and the applicable law must be considered before arrangements are changed.
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Living arrangements and time with each parent
We review where the child lives, the current care routine and the proposed contact arrangements. School days, working hours, distance and health needs can affect the practical plan. If contact is not happening, keep a factual record and share the existing order or agreement for review.
Read the practical detail+
The focus should remain on the child’s interests and the relevant legal rules. Advice should not assume that one parent automatically receives custody in every case. A proposal is more useful when it explains how the child will be cared for than when it simply asks to exclude the other parent.
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School health and important decisions
Disagreement may concern a school change, medical treatment, documents or another decision. We assess who has responsibility under the relevant law and any existing order. Custody and guardianship can address different responsibilities, so the actual question needs to be identified before advice is given.
Read the practical detail+
Share relevant records lawfully available to you and explain the decision needed. Avoid involving the child in collecting evidence or asking the child to carry messages between parents. Important communications about the arrangement should be kept complete and factual.
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Travel holidays and moving abroad
A holiday and permanent relocation require different consideration. Tell us the destination, purpose, dates, passport arrangements and any consent or restriction. Advice can assess the legal position and whether permission or an application is needed. Do not assume a parent can move a child abroad merely because the marriage is ending.
Read the practical detail+
If more than one country is involved, enforcement and recognition may require advice there as well. Raise the issue before tickets, school places or permanent living arrangements are committed. Early review can identify which decisions need to be made in the correct forum.
Understand the financial questions before agreeing terms
Support and ongoing family expenses
We review the legal basis for a support claim or response and the relevant financial records. Questions may concern children’s needs, accommodation, schooling or a spouse’s claim under the applicable framework. Income, expenses and existing payments should be documented so the assessment has a clear factual basis.
Further guidance+
A financial arrangement should explain what is payable, when it is due and how specific costs are handled. If an order already exists and circumstances have changed, ask about the proper review process. Do not stop complying on the assumption that a change automatically removes the obligation.
Property business interests and debts
We assess the ownership documents, agreements, payment history and nature of any claim. There is no reliable assumption that every asset will be divided equally or that an asset in one name raises no further questions. The applicable law and evidence must be considered for the particular issue.
Further guidance+
Business interests, guarantees and foreign assets may require other professional advice or valuation. Keep ownership questions distinct from support and other financial claims. A proposed divorce settlement should make clear which assets and obligations it addresses and which matters remain outside its scope.
Incomplete financial information
If you believe records are missing or an asset has not been disclosed, explain the concern and identify the lawful information available. We can assess the legal relevance and whether a procedural step may be available. Suspicion alone should not be presented as proof of ownership or concealment.
Further guidance+
Do not enter another person’s account, alter a document or collect information unlawfully. Preserve the records you hold and tell the adviser where each one came from. A financial review depends on reliable evidence and a realistic understanding of the records that can be obtained.
Expat divorce lawyers in Dubai for families with international ties
You may have married abroad, hold a different nationality from your spouse or own assets in several countries. These connections can affect jurisdiction, the applicable law and what happens after a decision. Faris and his team review the relevant facts before advising on the work that can be undertaken in the UAE.
We assess residence, the family circumstances, the issue involved and any proceedings elsewhere. The place where you married is relevant but does not determine every answer. If there are possible proceedings in two countries, take advice before starting parallel cases or signing terms intended for use abroad.
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Which legal framework needs review
The UAE has a personal status framework and a separate civil personal status framework for people within its scope. Nationality, religion, the issue and a relevant choice of law can affect the assessment. Muslim and non Muslim families should not assume that one process applies to everyone.
Current legal sources include Federal Decree Law No 41 of 2024 and Federal Decree Law No 41 of 2022 on civil personal status. The applicable provisions and procedure must be checked for your case. Older online summaries may describe rules that should no longer be relied on without review.
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What happens in the other country
A UAE divorce and recognition abroad are separate questions. You may need advice in the country where records must be updated, assets are held or a later marriage is planned. We identify the connected issues so the proposed UAE work does not assume that a local decision automatically completes every foreign requirement.
Review the complete document
Settlement choices
A workable agreement needs more than agreement to separate
Where terms can be negotiated
We can review proposals and assist with the agreed negotiations. The discussion should identify each issue and the practical terms needed. A payment promise should state the amount and date. A parenting plan should explain the arrangements. A property term should identify the asset and action required.
Before signing, consider the legal effect, required approvals and enforcement route. Independent advice may be appropriate because spouses have different interests. Tell the adviser about pressure, safety concerns or missing information that affects your ability to make a decision freely.
Where a decision from the court is needed
If a dispute cannot be resolved or an urgent decision is necessary, we assess the appropriate request and supporting material. The aim is to present the actual issue clearly. The required starting procedure depends on the framework and application, so not every matter follows the same guidance or conciliation stage.
Any discussion should account for existing deadlines and orders. A pending offer does not automatically stop the case. Ask what action is required while negotiations continue and who is responsible for the next date.
Start with one clear question and the right records
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1 Tell us the decision you face
Explain whether you need initial advice, a response, a settlement review or help with an existing matter. Share any approaching date and the parties’ names for a conflict check. Keep the first message short and ask which channel to use for sensitive documents.
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2 Review the position
For the agreed consultation, we assess the available papers and identify the legal questions. You should understand what can be answered now and what needs further information. A useful review can also identify connected issues that require a separate task or another professional’s advice.
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3 Confirm the work and fee
Agree the scope, responsible practitioners and costs before further work starts. Advice, drafting, negotiation, filing and appearances may be separate tasks. Confirm how additional work will be discussed and which expenses are outside the professional fee.
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4 Give instructions on the next action
After the proposed options are explained, you decide which available step to instruct. Keep the responsible person updated about new papers and changed circumstances. Court outcomes depend on the relevant process, evidence and decisions, so no particular result should be assumed.
Prepare a brief timeline and your main questions. Keep originals and complete conversations rather than selected fragments. Tell us about missing pages, uncertain dates or unverified translations. If a deadline is close, explain it before waiting to assemble a perfect file.
Marriage and identity: Marriage certificate, relevant marriage terms, identity records and current residence information.
Children: Birth certificates, current arrangements, relevant school or health records and any parenting order.
Money and assets: Income records, family expenses, payments, relevant bank records, ownership papers and agreements.
Proceedings: Complete applications, notices, judgments, settlements and information about when they were received.
International links: Foreign decisions, the location of assets and information about a case in another country.
Fees and timing
Know the proposed cost and work before proceeding
What affects the fees
Fees depend on the task, documents, stage and issues in dispute. A single agreement review involves different work from a contested case with several applications. Ask whether translation, filing charges, service, experts and other expenses are included or separate. The quotation should explain how additional work will be agreed.
When comparing divorce lawyers in Dubai, compare the same scope. A quote for advice alone is not the same as one covering preparation and court appearances. Confirm the consultation fee, who performs each task and whether enforcement or a challenge requires a new appointment.
What affects the time
The procedure, document preparation, service, the other party’s response and court scheduling can affect timing. A matter involving children, substantial assets or foreign papers may require further work. An estimate should relate to your actual stage and issues rather than a general promise that every divorce is quick.
Tell us about school terms, travel, housing pressure and other practical dates. These concerns can help set priorities, but they do not determine when a court will decide. The team should explain the work it accepts and how important developments will be communicated.
Choose advice that fits your case and gives you a clear view of the people, work and fees involved. Faris Raian and his team can discuss the assistance you need and whether it falls within the proposed appointment. Professional registration, relevant experience and communication should be checked before you instruct anyone.
Searches for top divorce lawyers in Dubai or famous divorce lawyers can produce long lists. A public profile does not explain who will review your papers or handle a hearing. Ask about the particular issue you face, the practitioner’s role and how the appointment will cover it.
Compare the same service
If you search best divorce lawyer Dubai, compare the written scope and the advice needed for your circumstances. A person seeking an agreement review needs different work from someone disputing custody or a financial claim. The right choice should be supported by relevant information rather than an unverified superlative.
Confirm the jurisdiction and local arrangements
A best divorce lawyer in UAE search should lead to questions about the correct court, professional entitlement and work offered in that location. A divorce lawyer Dubai listing also needs an accurate provider identity and practical contact details. Confirm appointments directly rather than rely on a directory entry alone.
Common questions
Questions to ask before taking the next step
What can divorce lawyers in Dubai help me with
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They can assess the divorce route, documents, settlement terms and related family claims. The work may include advice, drafting or preparation for proceedings. Representation requires the appropriately authorised practitioner. Explain the actual issue so the scope addresses the support you need rather than assume every service is included.
Can I consult Faris before telling my spouse
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You can request advice about your position before deciding what to do. Describe your circumstances and the questions you need answered. The team will confirm availability and the proposed consultation. You should also explain any safety concern or difficulty receiving calls so an appropriate contact method can be agreed.
Does asking for advice mean I must file for divorce
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No. Advice can help you understand the legal position without instructing an application. You may need time to consider the options or review documents. The next action should follow your informed instructions and an agreed appointment. A consultation is not a commitment to pursue a case.
Can expats file for divorce in Dubai
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It may be possible, depending on jurisdiction and the applicable legal framework. Residence, nationality, religion and existing proceedings can be relevant. Share the marriage record and any case papers from another country. The fact that a marriage took place abroad does not by itself answer where proceedings can be brought.
Do we both need to agree to the divorce
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The answer depends on the legal route and circumstances. Disagreement does not automatically prevent every divorce application. The adviser needs to assess the framework and any required grounds or procedure. Agreement about ending the marriage also does not automatically settle children, support or property questions.
Must every divorce begin with mediation or family guidance
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Do not assume one starting procedure applies to every case. The relevant framework and type of request need to be checked. Civil personal status matters have their own rules. Advice should explain your procedure rather than rely on a description of another family’s experience or an old online guide.
Can we use the law of our home country
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A relevant choice or request concerning foreign law needs legal assessment. It should not be assumed available or effective simply because both spouses share a nationality. Explain the family details, proposed law and existing agreements. Applying foreign law may also raise evidence, translation and procedural questions.
What if my spouse is living abroad
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The location can affect jurisdiction, service and practical steps. Provide the known address and any foreign proceedings or orders. Absence does not automatically end the case or guarantee a result. The proper method of proceeding needs to be reviewed with the documents and circumstances.
Do I need separate advice if we have agreed everything
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Independent advice may be useful because each spouse has their own interests. A draft can contain unclear obligations, missing details or terms with wider consequences than expected. Understanding the legal effect and formal requirements before signing can help you make an informed decision about the agreement.
Can one lawyer advise both of us on disputed terms
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Conflicting interests need to be considered before an appointment is accepted. A practitioner should explain whom they act for and the limits of the role. Where terms are disputed, each spouse may need independent advice. Do not assume a shared meeting means the adviser protects both parties’ separate interests.
Who will receive custody of the children
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There is no responsible answer based only on whether a parent is the mother or father. The applicable law, the child’s interests, circumstances and existing arrangements need review. Advice should address your family rather than promise custody or rely on an old age rule without checking the current framework.
Can I move out with my children before filing
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Get advice about the legal and safety position before changing arrangements where possible. Tell the adviser about any immediate danger, current orders and proposed move. Leaving the shared home, moving within the UAE and relocating abroad can raise different questions. Immediate safety should be addressed through the appropriate authorities.
Can my spouse take the children abroad
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The answer depends on the applicable rules, consent, orders and any restriction. If travel may be imminent, explain the dates and available information promptly. A short trip and permanent relocation are different issues. Ask whether an urgent legal request is appropriate rather than rely on possession of a passport alone.
What happens if contact with my child is refused
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Provide the existing order or agreement and a factual record of what has happened. Advice may concern enforcement, clarification or a new request, depending on the position. Do not assume that withholding support or changing other arrangements is a lawful response. Keep the child out of the dispute.
How is financial support worked out
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The assessment depends on the applicable law, the claim and financial evidence. Relevant information can include needs, income, expenses and existing payments. Ask what records are required for your position. A formula mentioned in a forum or an old article should not be assumed to apply to every family.
Will our assets be split equally
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Do not assume an automatic equal division. Ownership records, agreements, the relevant law and the nature of a claim must be assessed. Support and compensation questions can be separate from ownership. Assets in another country or a business may also require additional professional advice.
What if I believe my spouse is hiding assets
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Explain the concern and the lawful records available to support it. The adviser can assess whether further information or a procedural step may be relevant. Suspicion should be distinguished from proof. Do not access private accounts or obtain records unlawfully to support a financial allegation.
Can I sign a settlement written in another language
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You should understand the complete terms and legal effect before signing. Appropriate translation and independent advice may be needed. Tell the adviser whether the document is a draft, a private agreement or intended for formal recording. Do not assume a brief verbal summary explains every obligation.
Can a settlement be changed after it is signed
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That depends on the document, its legal status, the issue and the available grounds. A private draft and a formally recorded settlement may have different consequences. Do not assume a signed term can be withdrawn because circumstances or preferences change. Obtain advice on the actual document promptly.
Can I use my UAE divorce in another country
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Recognition abroad is a separate legal question. The destination country may require its own process and supporting documents. Obtain advice there about the intended use, such as updating records or remarriage. A UAE decision should not be assumed to settle every foreign requirement automatically.
Will divorce affect my residence visa
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It can raise a separate immigration question, particularly where residence is connected to a spouse. The current status, sponsorship and available route need checking with the relevant authority or qualified adviser. A divorce appointment should not be assumed to include every residence or immigration task.
How much does a divorce lawyer charge
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The fee depends on the work and agreed scope. Ask about the consultation, drafting, hearings and separate expenses. Compare quotations for the same tasks and confirm how extra work is approved. No fee should be assumed from a directory listing or another person’s case.
How long will a divorce take
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Timing depends on the procedure, documents, service, disputed issues and scheduling. Foreign records or related proceedings can add work. The adviser can discuss the likely tasks after reviewing the stage and papers. A specific completion date should not be promised before those details are known.
Can I arrange advice while outside the UAE
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Remote advice may be possible depending on the matter and required checks. Confirm the appointment, document channel and authority needed for any later action. A remote consultation does not remove formal requirements for proceedings. Tell the team where you are and about any approaching date.
How do I find divorce lawyers near me
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Check the actual meeting location, professional registration and services offered. Distance alone does not establish suitability for your case. For Faris and his team, call to confirm the appointment address and whether remote advice is suitable. Do not travel based only on an unverified search listing.
What is the divorce lawyer number for Faris and his team
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Call +971 529341340 to request a consultation. Give a short account and identify any urgent date. Confirm availability, the fee and the person attending before relying on an appointment. A call or message alone does not mean that a hearing or deadline has been accepted for action.
How do I choose the best divorce lawyers in Dubai
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Check the practitioner’s registration, relevant work, communication and written scope. Ask who will advise, who will appear where needed and what the fees cover. Choose using information relevant to your matter. A best label, online popularity or a promised outcome is not a substitute for that assessment.
What should I send in my first message
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Share your name, safe contact details, the main issue and any important date. The parties’ names may be needed for a conflict check. Keep sensitive details and documents for the channel confirmed by the team. An enquiry should start a clear appointment process rather than expose your full family file.
No questions match your search. Try a shorter phrase or choose All questions.
Your next step
Discuss your divorce with Faris Raian and his team
You may need to understand your options, check a proposed agreement or respond to a case. Tell us the main concern and any approaching date. We can confirm whether the requested assistance can be considered and explain how to arrange a consultation.
Our divorce lawyers in Dubai begin with the decision you need to make. A clear review of the facts and documents can help you understand the proposed next step and the work involved.
Your enquiry has been received. The team will review it and contact you about availability and next steps. Any appointment and responsibility for a deadline must be confirmed separately.