Abu Dhabi Court Orders Father to Raise Alimony to Dh7,500 For Six Children

The Federal Supreme Court in Abu Dhabi has upheld a ruling requiring a father to raise his monthly alimony payments from Dh6,000 to Dh7,500 for his six children, rejecting his appeal against the decision. The court also confirmed additional allowances for housing and domestic help.

The court reaffirmed that determining alimony lies within the trial court’s discretion, which must balance the payer’s financial capacity with the dependents’ needs “without unfairness or excess.”

According to case records, the mother -- who has custody of the children -- had previously obtained court orders covering housing, utilities, and other essential expenses. She later requested an increase, citing higher living costs, the children’s growing needs, and the birth of an additional child after the original judgment.

The lower court ruled in her favour, raising the monthly alimony and setting the annual housing rent at Dh40,000. It also granted Dh3,000 for Eid clothing and Dh1,000 per month for a domestic worker.

The father appealed, arguing that the revised payments were excessive in view of his financial commitments. However, the Federal Supreme Court dismissed the appeal, finding no legal error in the lower court’s reasoning. It also noted that earlier rulings had not covered expenses for a domestic worker or Eid clothing.

Citing the UAE Personal Status Law, the court observed that alimony can be adjusted based on changing circumstances, requiring judges to consider both the payer’s ability to pay and the dependents’ needs, alongside prevailing economic conditions.


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