A simple WhatsApp message asking for money to settle a credit card bill became the crucial piece of evidence that led a UAE court to order a divorced woman to repay funds transferred to her by her former husband during their marriage.
According to UAE lawyer Ahmed Al Zarooni, the case highlights how ordinary digital conversations can later carry major legal consequences in financial disputes between spouses.
The dispute began after the couple divorced and the woman successfully sought financial support and marital rights through the courts.
The husband later filed a separate case demanding the return of money he had transferred to his former wife during their marriage, arguing that the funds were loans and not financial support or gifts.
The woman did not deny receiving the money but insisted the transfers formed part of the normal financial arrangement within a marriage and were meant for household expenses and daily living.
The court later appointed an expert to review financial records and the couple’s digital communications.
Buried within years of chat messages was a line from the woman requesting a specific amount while mentioning that she needed it to pay obligations, including a credit card bill.
The court ultimately ruled in favor of the husband and ordered the repayment of the amount.
Al Zarooni said UAE courts generally presume that money exchanged between spouses during marriage forms part of the marital relationship unless clear evidence proves otherwise.
“Courts in the UAE examine the substance of the communication, not the platform,” Al Zarooni said.
“A message in which a spouse explicitly ties a requested sum to a specific obligation, such as a credit card balance, can be read by a court as evidence of a loan rather than ordinary spousal support,” he added.
The lawyer also pointed to broader developments in how UAE courts treat digital evidence. Earlier this year, the Dubai Court of Cassation stressed that WhatsApp messages submitted in court must first be verified for authenticity and sender identity before being accepted as evidence.
Al Zarooni advised residents to clearly state the purpose of money transfers between spouses or relatives to avoid future disputes.
“A brief note describing a transfer as ‘support,’ ‘gift,’ ‘loan to be repaid’ or ‘shared expense’ can stop a misunderstanding from becoming a lawsuit,” he said.
“For people in the UAE, the safer habit is the simplest one. Write what you mean, and assume that one day, someone else may read it.”
