The legal framework a family lawyer in Qatar works within
Family Law No. 22 of 2006 governs marriage, divorce, custody, maintenance and inheritance. Disputes are heard by the Family Court, and the Supreme Judicial Council places particular emphasis on reconciliation between spouses, holding reconciliation sessions at an early stage. Article 4 sets the law's scope: it applies to followers of the Hanbali school, followers of other schools are subject to the rules of their own schools, and the family matters of non-Muslims are governed by their own rules. In all cases, however, the law applies to anyone who requests its application, or where the parties are of different religions or schools.
Divorce lawyer in Qatar: how a marriage can end
- Divorce before the judge: the husband pronounces divorce before the judge, who first attempts to reconcile the parties; a divorce pronounced outside court must be proved by evidence or admission (Article 113).
- Khul': if the spouses do not agree on it, the court appoints two arbitrators to attempt reconciliation within a period not exceeding six months; if that fails and the wife seeks khul' in return for waiving her financial rights and refunding the dowry, the court orders separation (Article 122).
- Separation for harm or defect: a wife may seek separation for harm that makes married life impossible to continue, with the judge first attempting reconciliation (Article 129); either spouse may seek separation for a defect or chronic illness under the conditions set by law.
Once a divorce is pronounced, the judge orders the wife's maintenance during the iddah, child maintenance, and custody and visitation, with immediate effect (Article 114). A divorced wife is entitled to mut'a compensation where the husband divorces her through no fault of her own (Article 115). For more on financial rights, see our guide to alimony and nafaqa in Qatar.
Custody and visitation
Custody is the duty of both parents during the marriage. If they separate, the mother has priority unless the judge decides otherwise in the child's interest (Article 166), followed by the father and then the other custodians in the order set out in Article 169.
| Issue | Rule under Article 173 |
|---|---|
| End of female custody of a boy | When he turns 13; the court may extend it until he turns 15 |
| End of female custody of a girl | When she turns 15; the court may extend it until she marries |
| Child's choice | The court may let the child choose between the competing custodians after assessing their suitability |
| Child with a serious illness | Female custody may continue where the child is mentally ill or has a debilitating illness |
In every case, the court examines the child's interests and gives reasons for its decision.
Estates and inheritance
An estate comprises the property, benefits and financial rights left by the deceased (Article 241). It is applied in this order: funeral expenses, then the deceased's debts, then any will, with the remainder distributed among the heirs (Article 242). We identify and distribute estates by agreement or through the court, and deal with disputes over debts and wills. Shares are explained in our guide to inheritance in Qatar.
What to prepare before your consultation
- Your marriage contract and, if applicable, the divorce certificate.
- Your children's birth certificates and ID cards.
- Evidence of the husband's income and the family's and children's expenses.
- Any correspondence or evidence of harm.
- Previous judgments or agreements and, for estates, the death certificate and title deeds.