<strong>My wife and I are Muslim Indians and have been living in Dubai for 10 years. We have two children but are currently going through divorce in local courts. As far as I am aware, upon our divorce, my wife will be granted custody of our children (aged 5 and 7) and I will only be granted visitation rights. I would like to become custodian of our children and take them back to India to live with me. I read online that, if a guardian proves that their residency visa has expired for a valid reason, that the court will accept, then the court could allow the guardian to take the children to another country. I read that the mother will be given a choice to join them or not. How can I the local law serve my rights in this matter?</strong> In accordance with article 151 of the UAE Personal Status Law (Federal Law No. 28 of 2005), you may have the right to claim the custody in the following situations: Article 152 of the UAE Personal Status Law enables you to become a custodian should your wife refuse to follow you to the country where you have moved. However, as per UAE law you have to file your case within 6 months from the date of your move. Should you fail to do so, you will have to prove, in court, the reason why you did not file the case in time. To claim custody of your children - who are deemed young - you will have to persuade the court that you have a female relative to take care of the children. You may depend on your mother, sister or even your second wife, should you have one. <em>If you have a question for our legal consultant, email media@professionallawyer.me with the subject line "Family Matters".</em>