Why Nearly A Third Of UAE Divorces Happen Within The First Year, Lawyers Explain

New data shows that nearly a third of divorces in the UAE happen within the first year of marriage. Family lawyers say these early separations are often linked to unmet expectations, poor preparation for married life, and a gap between legal commitments and emotional readiness, with problems emerging soon after couples start living together.
Between 2020 and 2024, federal courts in Sharjah, Ajman, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain recorded 2,857 divorce cases, with 851 of them taking place within the first year of marriage. The figures point to a pattern of early marital breakdown that cuts across nationality and family structures, including Emirati and mixed nationality marriages.

Family lawyers say the trend reflects issues that often exist long before the marriage formally begins. Byron James, a partner at Expatriate Law and an international family law expert, said many early divorces reveal structural weaknesses rather than a sudden relationship collapse.

“In my experience, many couples enter marriage having devoted considerable attention to the emotional momentum of the relationship, while giving far less thought to its legal, financial, and cultural architecture,” he said.“The marriage is therefore not so much breaking down as revealing fault lines that were present, but unexamined, from the outset.”

James noted that this is especially common among internationally mobile couples, a reality that is particularly visible in the UAE. Differences in nationality, religion, family expectations, and legal systems often intersect at the point of marriage, sometimes alongside relocation pressures or immigration concerns.

“Marriage often occurs against a backdrop of social expectation or practical necessity, creating an illusion of stability that has not yet been tested by ordinary domestic reality,” he said.“When that reality asserts itself, the relationship can unravel with remarkable speed.”

Cultural factors can further shape the reasons behind early divorce, family law experts say, particularly in cases involving Arab and Emirati couples. Mohammed Al Gharib, a family lawyer, said early divorces frequently stem from couples not looking beyond the wedding day itself.

“In many of the divorce cases I have handled, divorce options were already on the table by the third to fifth month,” he said. He explained that during the year leading up to the wedding, many couples focus heavily on planning the event, forgetting that life continues the day after.

“Especially in Arab culture, where the time to truly get to know a person before marriage may be limited due to cultural reasons, the shock for couples can be greater,” he said. He added that pre marital counselling should not be viewed as a luxury, but as a necessity.

According to Samara Iqbal, Founder of Aramas International Lawyers, early divorces are most frequently linked to gaps in preparedness rather than a "single triggering event". She said that statistics consistently show that disputes arise within the first year around finances, housing arrangements, work expectations, and the level of involvement of extended family, areas that are often not addressed in sufficient detail before marriage.

She also noted that couples opt for divorce with limited awareness of how UAE family law operates in practice,“including financial responsibilities and the legal consequences of separation”. This lack of understanding can intensify conflict once problems emerge, particularly when expectations do not align with legal realities.

Psychological experts also stress that the first year is often the most critical test of a marital relationship, as many factors that make or break a partnership tend to surface during this period.

Hiba Salem, a psychologist and adult and families specialist at Sage Clinics, told Khaleej Times that many couples romanticise marriage when entering it, with their thoughts heavily influenced by curated social media narratives and cultural pressures.

"The surge in early divorces is a complex phenomenon, and from a psychological standpoint, it often boils down to a profound discrepancy between expectation and reality,” she said.“Couples frequently fail to grasp the true emotional and logistical labour required for a successful partnership.”

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