My husband wants me out of the house here in Dubai, UAE. We're both Americans and married for 17 years. We have one daughter who clearly hates me. I am just recovering from flu-like symptoms this week and this evening we had some confrontation which enraged me because he was filming me with his Ipad. He won't stop so I knocked down the Ipad and he went physical with me. His mother just stood thereand even my daughter. He wanted me to get out of the house. Can he do that? I am new in Dubai and not working. He is going to file for divorce. Please help.

I don't know the law in Dubai. In the US a spouse can't throw out a spouse unless the police are involved in cases of violence and/or a restraining order is issue by a judge. I would shop for an American lawyer over there; there must be some. Get a credit card in your name only if you don't have one, and gather some cash if you can from any joint account, enough for a retainer.

It is very important that you retain a lawyer at this time. Are you both Muslim or is he a Muslim?

Also you need to seek that your divorce if it is going to happen that it applies to U.S. law and not just U.A.E. laws.

Ref:
The substantive law of divorce is the law of the country where the couple got married. The grounds of divorce are found from the law of the country of the marriage. Source of law: ■ Rule 279 of theCassation Court

■ Art 28 of Civil Transaction Law No5 of 1985
Source of Law: The UAE Federal Law No 28 of 1985 on Personal Status; Civil Procedure Law Degree No 5 of 1985 as amended. Law of Evidence in Civil and Commercial Transactions Degree No 10 of 1992.
What law is applicable to my divorce, if I elect to divorce in the UAE, Sha?ria or federal law, or the law of the country <br />I was married to? (http://www.khairallahlegal.com/FAQRetrieve.aspx?ID=45677)

Also this is to see why you want it to go through as an American divorce. Otherwise Sharia Law may apply.

Ref:

International Divorce (http://www.international-divorce.com/uae_divorce.htm)

The first thing I would do is go to the American Consulate. Explain the circumstances and ask what protection you have if tries to throw you out.

Do you have family back in the states that can help you? I would get on the first plane home and file for divorce before he does.

Absolutely - are you legally a US resident? I'd be out of there and back here and in an Attorney's office immediately.