Abu Dhabi Adopts New Charter to Prioritise Children’s Wellbeing After Separation
What Is the New Post-Separation Charter?
Abu Dhabi has introduced a new family framework aimed at maintaining children’s stability when parents separate. Resolution No. 43 of 2026 approves the “Post-Separation Charter – Year of Family”, issued by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan in his capacity as Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department.
The charter is intended to guide parents through difficult periods after separation while keeping the focus on the child. Its central idea is that the end of a marriage does not end the responsibilities of parenthood.
The Abu Dhabi Media Office says the charter is designed to strengthen children’s psychological and social stability, protect their best interests and support a safe family environment in which both parents continue to play an active role.
Children’s Wellbeing Comes First
The new framework places the child’s welfare above parental disagreements. It encourages separated parents to maintain safe communication and shared care so children can continue to have a stable relationship with both parents.
The charter also promotes mutual respect. Parents are expected to protect children from arguments and avoid exposing them to the reasons behind disputes or divorce.
- The framework is called the Post-Separation Charter – Year of Family.
- It was approved under Resolution No. 43 of 2026.
- The charter prioritises children’s psychological and social stability.
- Both parents are expected to remain involved in their children’s upbringing.
- Parents are expected to cooperate on education, healthcare and major decisions.
- The custodial parent must keep the other parent informed about school reports, health matters and school activities.
- Parents should facilitate visitation and communication with the other parent.
- Disputes that cannot be resolved amicably can be referred to the Family Guidance Centre before court proceedings.
Shared Responsibilities for Education and Healthcare
One of the charter’s main features is greater cooperation between parents. The framework calls on both parents to participate in decisions concerning education, healthcare, behavioural guidance and the child’s wider upbringing.
The parent with custody is expected to share important information with the other parent, including academic reports, health conditions and school activities. Major decisions involving education, medical treatment and travel should be discussed and considered jointly.
The charter also sets expectations for providing healthcare and educational support while protecting the child’s physical and psychological wellbeing.
Protecting Children From Parental Conflict
A major objective of the new framework is to prevent children from becoming caught between parents during a dispute. The charter calls on parents to avoid speaking negatively about each other in front of their children and to preserve respect for both parents.
It also prohibits using children’s legal rights, including visitation and financial support, as tools for pressure, bargaining or harm. The approach is intended to keep family disagreements separate from the child’s relationship with each parent.
Visitation, Overnight Stays and Travel
The charter provides a framework for parents to agree on practical arrangements affecting children after separation. These include visitation schedules, overnight stays, travel arrangements and agreed financial obligations.
The aim is to create clearer expectations while preserving the child’s connection with both parents. The framework is based on provisions of the Federal Personal Status Law covering custody, maintenance, visitation and educational guardianship.
What Happens If Parents Disagree?
The charter encourages parents to try to resolve disagreements through an amicable process first. If the parents cannot reach an understanding, the dispute can be referred to the Family Guidance Centre.
The centre is intended to help reconcile differences and find a practical solution before the matter moves to court. Under the implementation process, a Family Guidance Counsellor presents the charter to parents after their separation, allowing them to sign it in full or in part and commit to its provisions.
Watch the Abu Dhabi Family Charter Video
The Abu Dhabi Media Office published the official announcement and social-media video material explaining the new Post-Separation Charter and its focus on children’s stability and shared parental responsibility.
▶ Watch Video: Abu Dhabi Family CharterVideo Credit: Abu Dhabi Media Office / ADMediaOffice. Original official post: Abu Dhabi Media Office
Why the Charter Matters for Families
Separation can change the way a family operates, but the new Abu Dhabi framework emphasises that parental responsibilities continue. The charter seeks to make cooperation and the child’s welfare the central priorities even when parents are no longer living together.
By setting expectations around communication, healthcare, education, visitation and travel, the framework gives separated parents a clearer structure for managing important decisions affecting their children.
It also sends a broader message that children should not be placed in the middle of adult disagreements and should continue to receive care, communication and emotional security from both parents.
Abu Dhabi’s Year of Family Focus
The charter comes during the UAE’s Year of Family and reflects Abu Dhabi’s focus on strengthening family stability. The official framework describes children’s best interests as the primary consideration in family-related decisions.
The initiative also reinforces the idea that both mothers and fathers continue to have an important role in raising their children after separation, regardless of the circumstances surrounding the end of the marital relationship.
Abu Dhabi Children’s Wellbeing Charter: The Bottom Line
Abu Dhabi’s new Post-Separation Charter establishes a child-centred framework for families dealing with separation. It encourages shared care, respectful communication and cooperation over major issues such as education, healthcare and travel.
The framework also seeks to protect children from parental conflict by discouraging negative comments about the other parent and preventing visitation or financial support from being used as bargaining tools.
Abu Dhabi Media Office: Official announcement on the Post-Separation Charter
Official Charter: Post-Separation Charter – Year of Family
Khaleej Times / WAM: Abu Dhabi adopts new charter to prioritise children’s wellbeing
The National: Abu Dhabi launches charter to protect children's welfare
Video Reference: Abu Dhabi Media Office official social-media post
The article has been independently written in original wording and is not a reproduction of any source article.
