Alimony and Financial Support
Alimony and Financial Support in Egypt: Legal Rights and Court Procedures :-
In Egypt, alimony and financial support are essential legal obligations designed to ensure financial justice between spouses—both during and after marriage. Primarily governed by the Egyptian Personal Status Law (as codified in 1920, 1929, and revised by Law No. 100/1985) and heavily influenced by Sharia principles, these obligations apply across a wide range of family situations, including divorce, separation, child custody, and spousal maintenance horizon.documentation.ird.fr.
Furthermore, a wife is legally entitled to financial support from her husband for housing, food, clothing, healthcare, and other basic needs—regardless of her own income. Under Article 1 of Law No. 25 of 1920, amended by Law No. 100 of 1985, the husband’s obligation to provide such support remains in force so long as the marriage persists—and even in the post-divorce ‘iddah’ period .
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Alimony and Financial Support in Egypt :-
Legal Rights, Sharia-Based Obligations, and Court Enforcement
In Egypt, alimony and financial support are central components of the legal framework regulating family relationships. These financial duties aim to protect vulnerable family members—especially women and children—before, during, and after marriage. The governing law is rooted in Egyptian Personal Status Law, which integrates civil statutes and Islamic Sharia principles to establish clear guidelines for spousal and child support.
Spousal Maintenance During Marriage :-
According to Article 1 of Law No. 25 of 1920, amended by Law No. 100 of 1985, a husband is obligated to provide full financial support to his wife throughout the marriage. This includes essentials such as:
Housing
Food
Clothing
Medical care
Domestic services (if customarily required)
Legal Source:
Law No. 25 of 1920 on Maintenance and Personal Status (Arabic Text)
Even if the wife is financially independent, her right to maintenance remains unaffected. This reflects the Sharia-based presumption that the husband must financially sustain the family unless judicially relieved.
Financial Rights After Divorce :-
Upon divorce, Egyptian law recognizes the wife’s right to financial compensation under several legal categories:
1. Iddah Maintenance
A divorced woman is entitled to maintenance for the ‘iddah period—typically three menstrual cycles or, in case of pregnancy, until childbirth. The purpose is to provide interim financial security.
→ Legal Basis: Law No. 25 of 1920, Art. 3
2. Mut‘a Compensation
Mut‘a is a one-time compensatory alimony paid to the divorced wife to help her recover from the emotional and economic impact of separation. Courts calculate mut‘a based on:
Duration of the marriage
Husband’s income
Cause of divorce
Social circumstances of both parties
📖 Reference:
UN Women: Egypt’s Personal Status Laws Overview (2021)
Child Support Obligations :-
Egyptian law places a firm obligation on the father to financially support his children until:
Boys reach adulthood and are financially independent
Girls get married or achieve financial independence
Child support covers:
School fees
Medical expenses
Food and clothing
Housing or rent
Transportation if necessary
Even if the mother holds custody, child support is the father’s duty under both Egyptian law and Islamic jurisprudence.
📖 Legal Support:
Supreme Constitutional Court Decision No. 77 of 1981 (Arabic)
UNICEF Egypt: Child Protection & Legal Rights
Residence and Housing Support :-
If the mother is the custodial parent, she may remain in the marital residence (known as “ḥaḍāna residence”) with the children or request alternative housing if the original home becomes unavailable. This measure ensures housing stability for children during custody.
📖 Reference:
UNDP/UN Women: Egyptian Family Law Manual (English summary)
Urgent Alimony and Provisional Orders :-
Egyptian courts can issue temporary alimony orders—referred to as “nafaqa musta‘jila”—to prevent undue hardship while litigation is still ongoing. This allows a financially dependent spouse to receive support before the final judgment is issued.
Such orders are often granted within 30 to 60 days of filing, depending on the court’s caseload and urgency of need.
Enforcement of Alimony Judgments :-
Once a court awards alimony or child support, Egyptian law provides several powerful enforcement mechanisms, including:
Wage garnishment from the debtor’s employer
Bank account freezing
Property liens or seizures
Issuance of travel bans or arrest warrants for persistent non-payment
📖 Authority:
The Egyptian Civil and Criminal Procedure Codes (Arabic)
Additionally, claimants can request enforcement via the Family Courts’ Execution Office, where specialized officers assist in asset tracing and collection.
Why Choose Anglo-Nile Law Firm?
At Anglo-Nile Law Firm, we specialize in cross-border family law issues and represent clients with clarity, compassion, and professionalism. Whether you are a UK-based spouse, a foreign national divorced in Egypt, or an Egyptian citizen living abroad, we provide strategic legal support to:
- Enforce judgments across jurisdictions
- Translation & legal harmonization between English and Arabic texts.
- Secure alimony and child support.
- File urgent financial orders
- Free 15-minute consultation to assess your situation.
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