A woman in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is now facing a post-divorce life without alimony after the Appeals Court in Dubai ruled that her husband was not required to pay her a sum of about $11,000 US in spousal support. But why? Well, because the woman claimed she is a jinn, which is the equivalent of a genie.
The man filed for divorce in the Dubai Sharia Court after his wife continually refused to have sexual intercourse with him, rather, telling him to discuss the issue with her parents. Upon doing so, the husband learned that his wife and her family believed she was a special kind of spirit that had the ability to take on human or animal form, and hold a certain supernatural power over other human beings. The woman and her family said that many religious scholars tried, unsuccessfully, to exorcise the genie spirit from the woman throughout the years.
The Dubai Sharia Court granted the man’s request for a divorce, and initially ruled that he pay his ex-wife 40,000 dirhams (roughly $11,000) in alimony. Apparently, this was not one of the man’s three wishes, because shortly after the ruling, his attorney filed an appeal requesting that his client’s spousal support obligation be waived due to fraud. According to court records, the attorney went on record saying, “The woman and her family cheated my client. They should have been honest and clear about the fact that the wife was possessed by a jinn. He was only told about the jinn after the problem escalated. The woman does not deserve any allowance”.
His wish was the Appeal Court’s command when a judge ruled in his favor, stripping the woman of her previously awarded spousal support. The court decided that the woman did not deserve any form of maintenance because she lied to her husband about being a genie, thus committing fraud.
In New York State, alimony can be awarded temporarily or permanently, both during and after the divorce proceeding. It is possible for one party to appeal the court’s decision granting their former spouse maintenance, however, the appeal process is long, expensive, and oftentimes a fruitless endeavor. For more information on spousal support, as well as other issues concerning New York State divorce law (such as equitable distribution, property valuations, and child custody), contact the law firm of Brian D. Perskin & Associates, P.C. for a free consultation. With well over 40 years of combined experience, the knowledgeable attorneys routinely represent New York City residents throughout the divorce process, advocating on their behalf and providing a specialized insight into NY divorce and family law. Let their experience work for you!