Divorce in Qatar | ExpatWoman.com
 

Divorce in Qatar

4
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 08 August 2013 - 12:47

Hi,

I'm a UK & NZ citizen, separated from my husband for nearly 3 years - we're living separately in Qatar, with our 14 and 17 year old sons. My husband is British and neither of us is Muslim.

I filed for divorce in the UK 5 weeks ago and have just heard from my husband that he has hired a lawyer in Doha and I will hear from the Family Court here soon.

My UK lawyer doesn't know much about procedures in Qatar so at present I am waiting to receive papers from my husband's lawyer.

If anyone has any info about my options or the divorce process here, please let me know ASAP.

Thank you,

M
edited by mmhambly on 08/08/2013
<em>edited by mmhambly on 08/08/2013</em>

4
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 12 August 2013 - 23:07
Thanks so much for your reply. I've emailed a local lawyer and have got in touch with my work's support company who are chasing info for me too. Haven't heard back from either..probably because of Eid. Hopefully I'll know more by the end of this week. I'd like to meet up for coffee when you're back. Email me on [email protected] when it suits. Thanks again.
54
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 10 August 2013 - 11:58
Yes, you definitely should go and get some advice from a lawyer, I don't know much about the divorce law in Qatar. I live in Qatar too with my 14-year-old son, and I too have a 17-year-old son but he goes to school in the UK. I did a bit of research into child custody because my husband wasn't happy about me leaving to work in Qatar with our son but thankfully it's been OK. We should meet up for coffee if you like, I will be back in Qatar in a couple of weeks.
4
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 09 August 2013 - 11:29
Thanks for your reply cassandra238. Things are not great at all with my ex. He refused to sign my work visa NOC unless I agreed to his terms for financial settlement. I came very close to losing my job and having to say goodbye to my sons. He signed eventually. I need to speak with a lawyer here as I have lots of questions. Can I be forced to sign divorce papers here? How is financial settlement negotiated? I am going into debt to remain in Qatar near my sons. If I left Qatar, my oldest son would stay here - he is halfway through IB. I'm not sure if my younger son would stay here or come with me. I'd be gutted to leave them.
54
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 08 August 2013 - 17:27
How are things with your ex? Is this an amicable divorce? I'm asking this because if you are in dispute with your husband about child custody, the Qatari courts use Islamic Sharia law to make their decision - this is regardless of your religion, this is the law in Qatar. And you should be aware that Sharia law favours the father. If I were you, I would get on a plane and head straight back to the UK to sort out the divorce.