SHARJAH — A UAE court has ordered a father to continue financially supporting his 37-year-old unmarried daughter until she secures employment and becomes self-reliant, or her circumstances change through marriage, according to a legal consultant who has highlighted unusual family disputes in the country.
Lawyer and legal consultant Aisha Rashid Al Tunaiji discussed the case during an appearance on Sharjah TV’s Qadiya Lil Hiwar, where she outlined how disagreements over financial support, inheritance, elder care and family responsibilities can escalate into court battles.
The case involving the adult daughter was among several examples illustrating the complex nature of family disputes, particularly where financial dependence and individual rights intersect.
Al Tunaiji explained that maintenance disputes depend on the circumstances of those involved, including their financial means and the needs of the person seeking support. She cautioned that the case did not establish an automatic right for every adult child to receive financial assistance from their parents.
The discussion also examined disputes involving elderly parents allegedly denied access to their pensions, neglected relatives and disagreements over money earned through social media accounts.
In one case, an elderly father reportedly received a pension but was allegedly prevented by his children from accessing his own money. Other cases involved concerns about vulnerable parents being left without adequate care, including access to drinking water.
Al Tunaiji said family disagreements could also turn into police complaints when WhatsApp messages, provocative remarks or social media posts were interpreted as insults, verbal abuse or defamation.
She highlighted disputes involving parents and children who jointly managed online accounts and earnings, with disagreements arising over financial control and recognition of individual contributions.
Property transfers and inheritance were another major source of conflict. One case involved a mother who registered her house in her younger daughter’s name because of their close relationship, an arrangement that later raised concerns as family tensions developed.
The lawyer warned that transferring valuable property based on emotional attachment or expectations of future care could expose parents to financial insecurity in old age.
She also discussed marital maintenance, including a case involving a wife who earned more than her husband but sought a monthly contribution of Dh500 towards her expenses. The dispute highlighted questions surrounding marital financial responsibilities, which depend on the applicable law and the circumstances of each case.
The programme further addressed domestic violence, psychological abuse and the alleged misuse of relatives’ money or property. Al Tunaiji stressed that neglecting to visit or telephone a parent does not automatically amount to a legal offence, although threats, assault, financial exploitation and other forms of abuse may warrant legal intervention.
She said courts may also become involved when elderly or seriously ill parents cannot manage their affairs. However, old age or physical weakness alone does not establish legal incapacity, which may require medical assessments and other evidence.
While encouraging families to resolve disagreements through dialogue, mediation and trusted relatives where possible, Al Tunaiji warned that reconciliation should never come at the expense of victims’ safety or legal rights.
She urged families to promote mutual respect, personal responsibility and clear financial arrangements to prevent misunderstandings from escalating into costly legal disputes.
