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What You Should Know About Remarrying in UAE

If you’re divorced and are planning on embarking on a subsequent marriage, there’s a couple of important legal points you should be putting into consideration. We know the circumstances of second marriages are always complex compared to the first one. There could be assets that have been acquired from the first marriage such as businesses, pensions, savings, properties, and investments. Not to mention kids. 

Remarrying, particularly in the United Arab Emirates, often involves making difficult legal, financial, and emotional decisions. We’re utilizing our experience and expertise in this area in order to help you make important decisions in relation to remarrying in UAE. If you want to speak with a marriage lawyer in the UAE today, call us! 

How a remarriage differs from the first marriage in the UAE 

  • Personal affairs – personally, it is understandable that you’ve already been through a ton of pain and stress from when the first marriage ended. The same is true for any reason, may it be divorce or death. As you are a lot older now compared to when you’ve married for the first time, you’ll think about safeguarding assets and your future. There may be children from your previous marriage, so you have to consider their inheritance. 
  • Legal affairs – with a second marriage, there is a need to make a brand-new will. An old will is going to be considered null and voice as soon as you marry again. A lot of people want to provide for the new spouse as well as the kids from the previous marriage. It is, therefore, incredibly important to make sure that all of your wishes are acted upon in case something bad happens. 
  • Financial affairs – you’ll have to consider how your state will be changing financially. It is likely that you have already acquired more properties and assets. You may even have received money from a settlement from a divorce. A lot of couples that are embarking on a second marriage make a prenuptial agreement in order to protect each of their interests. 

Take note: for women who are awarded child custody of a child in UAE, she is not allowed in marrying a foreign husband unless there is the approval of the court as it sees it will be in the best child’s best interests.

Getting Married in Dubai: What are Legal Requirements for Expatriates

Is a prenuptial agreement important in UAE?

Yes. A prenuptial agreement would prove to be useful. It’s a written agreement that’s signed prior to a couple being wed. It’s designed in setting out what a contracting party wishes to happen with possessions and assets in the event that the marriage breaks down. 

A prenuptial agreement is not binding legally unless it is drafted properly and contains all the elements of a contract. It has to be drafted properly and fairly in order for it to be upheld by local courts. When it comes to legal drafting in the UAE, it is always best to consult with lawyers. In this case, marriage lawyers in the UAE are best consulted. There are specific circumstances e.g. illness, the birth of a baby, disability befalling onto a partner which will make a judge disregard a prenuptial agreement and its terms. In many cases, terms will vary. They may be ceased as well to have effect only after the marriage lasts for a predetermined period of time 

As you’ve already been through divorce once, it’s likely that you’re very much aware of how hard the entire procedure can be. Among the hardest aspects is the asset division in the UAE. Most people that remarry are now more realistic regarding the chance of any relationship coming to an end. They are more aware of the importance of coming to an agreement to mutually satisfactory terms and conditions that provide security and safety, most especially if there are children. 

To speak to HHS Lawyers’ legal team regarding the drafting of a prenuptial agreement, send us a message or call us today!  

Inheritance and second marriages in the UAE 

Inheritance is often a complex matter which needs careful consideration prior to embarking on a new marriage. In the event that you die, your assets will be passed onto your surviving spouse automatically. This brings up a lot of issues, most especially when you have kids from your previous marriage. 

If you have kids from your previous marriage, then you’ll most likely want them to get an inheritance in case you die. On remarrying, children and any grandkid won’t be receiving a portion of your assets automatically. Ordinarily, assets will be passed onto your new spouse, as well as the kids of your standing marriage. 

You will be needing to take specific steps in order to make sure that your wishes are honored. This can be through a new will. As always, legal advice will prove to be invaluable in making sure that the inheritance of your children is protected. 

Hazem Darwish

Hazem Darwish, is a Senior Partner of HHS Lawyers in UAE. Practicing law for almost a decade, he has in-depth knowledge on UAE legislation with particular expertise on legal drafting, contract drafting, labor disputes, family law, and regulatory compliance for business organizations. Hazem Darwish also provides counsel on legal rights and obligations in the UAE to clients, including individuals and businesses subject to investigation or prosecution under Criminal Law by major regulators.