Abu Dhabi has approved a new charter aimed at safeguarding children’s well-being and ensuring their stability following parental separation.

Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court, in his capacity as Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department, issued Decision No. 43 of 2026 approving the “Post-Separation Charter – Year of the Family”.

Children Come First

The document aims to regulate relations between parents during disputes, promote children’s psychological and social stability, make their best interests the primary consideration in all family-related decisions, and strengthen co-parenting.

The charter emphasises maintaining a safe family environment for children and ensuring that both parents continue to play an active role in their care.

It is based on the principle that the end of a marital relationship does not mean the end of parental responsibilities, and that children’s need for shared care, secure communication and a stable environment that provides a sense of safety and belonging remains unchanged.

Keeping Children Out of Disputes

The charter is an agreement founded on mutual understanding and respect. It aims to keep children out of disputes, protect them from the consequences of conflict, prioritise their interests and preserve the dignity of both parents.

It also states that parents’ commitment to the charter represents a continuation of their moral and legal responsibilities, reassuring children that their parents’ love for them remains unchanged and that they will continue to receive shared care in a safe environment.

Shared Parental Responsibilities

Under the document, parents must cooperate in their children’s moral and religious upbringing, education, healthcare, and behavioural and academic guidance.

The custodial parent must also keep the other parent informed of school reports, health conditions and school activities, and consult and cooperate with them on major decisions involving education, medical treatment and travel.

The document also sets out parents’ responsibilities towards children while in their care. These include fulfilling their parental role responsibly, providing healthcare and educational support, protecting children’s physical and psychological well-being, teaching values and virtues, and raising them in accordance with Emirati customs and traditions in a way that strengthens their sense of belonging and responsibility.

Each parent must also facilitate the other parent’s visitation and communication rights and keep them informed of any significant matter concerning the child.

The charter also defines parents’ responsibilities towards one another. Neither parent may speak negatively about the other in front of the children. Respect for both parents must be maintained, and children should be encouraged to respect them both. Parents must also avoid discussing the reasons for disputes or divorce in the children’s presence.

The use of children’s legal rights, including visitation and financial support, as a means of pressure, bargaining or causing harm is also prohibited.

The charter’s provisions on custody, financial support, visitation and educational guardianship are governed by the rules set out in the Federal Personal Status Law. It also provides a framework for parental agreements on visitation, overnight stays, children’s travel arrangements and agreed financial obligations.

Amicable Dispute Resolution

For disputes arising from the implementation of the charter, the document stipulates that both parties must first seek an amicable resolution.

If no amicable agreement is reached, the dispute will be referred to the Family Guidance Centre, which will seek reconciliation and work to bridge the parties’ differences before legal proceedings begin.

Under the charter’s implementation mechanism, a family guidance counsellor will present the document to parents following separation. They may sign all or part of it and commit to complying with its provisions.