The mahr: recording it and recovering it

What the mahr is

The mahr is a gift, of money, property or another agreed form, given by the husband to the wife as a right of the marriage. It belongs to her alone. It can be paid immediately, deferred, or a combination of both.

Where problems arise

Problems start when the mahr is not written down clearly, or a deferred mahr is never paid. When a marriage ends, the husband may dispute what he owes. Without a clear record, it is harder for you to recover it.

A mahr that is clearly agreed and properly recorded at the outset is much easier to recover later, in a religious or a civil process.

How we help

We help record the mahr clearly and deal with it fairly, together with the wider rights of both spouses.

• Recording the mahr clearly and correctly at the time of marriage
• Advising on immediate and deferred mahr
• Helping recover an unpaid mahr fairly if a marriage ends
• Advising on the wider financial rights of both spouses

Where a matter needs to be enforced, reserved legal work is carried out by our partner solicitors.