What Is the Difference Between Custody and Guardianship in the UAE?

If you’re dealing with a separation or divorce in the UAE, one of the first things you’ll come across is custody vs. guardianship in the UAE. For many expats, this can feel unfamiliar because both ideas are often bundled together.

In the UAE, they are treated as two separate roles, and understanding that difference early can save a lot of stress later.

• Custody is about who the child lives with and who looks after them every day
• Guardianship is about who makes the bigger life decisions

Both matter. And in most cases, both parents remain involved, but in different ways.

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