New UAE Personal Status Laws: Hefty Fines for Unauthorized Minor Travel and Elder Neglect

The UAE's updated personal status laws, set to take effect on April 15, introduce stringent measures to safeguard minors and elderly parents. Violators of these provisions could face imprisonment and fines of up to Dh100,000.

Key Provisions

• Unauthorized Travel with Minors: Custodians who travel with a child under their care without the consent of the child's guardian or the court face penalties, including fines ranging from Dh5,000 to Dh100,000 and possible imprisonment.

• Elder Neglect: The law penalizes individuals who abuse, neglect, or refuse to care for their parents. Financial neglect, especially when a court mandates support, carries similar fines and imprisonment risks.

The legislation also tackles financial misconduct involving minors, imposing severe penalties for embezzling, misusing, or fraudulently managing their funds.

Additional Amendments

• Estate Fraud: Individuals who conceal, squander, or unlawfully seize property from an estate face fines of up to Dh100,000 and potential imprisonment.

• Family Reconciliation Centers: Judges can expedite cases by involving reconciliation centers.

• Marriage Age and Custody: The legal age for marriage is set at 18, while children aged 15 and above can choose which parent they wish to live with.

These reforms emphasize the importance of familial responsibility and the protection of vulnerable individuals, ensuring a stronger support system for children and elderly parents across the UAE

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