🤝 Existing wife & prospective wife · #65
My husband intends to take another wife. What steps can protect my and my children's financial rights and property?
Identify jointly acquired property, keep documents, discuss a written maintenance agreement, and use the court process during the polygamy application to seek suitable orders.
Allah commands that trusts be rendered to those entitled (an-Nisa' 4:58) and forbids consuming others' wealth unjustly (4:29). A first wife may claim division of jointly acquired property when her husband takes another wife (see the related question), and the court can order maintenance when approving an application. Practical steps: list joint assets and your contributions; keep copies of titles, statements and certificates; make sure you are the nominee or hibah beneficiary in takaful; discuss gifting the house to you or the children; and apply for an order prohibiting disposal of property if there is a risk (Act 303 s.107A). Get advice from a Syariah lawyer early. See the question on jointly acquired property in polygamy.
Allah commands that trusts be rendered to those entitled (an-Nisa' 4:58) and forbids consuming others' wealth unjustly (4:29). A first wife may claim division of jointly acquired property when her husband takes another wife (see the related question), and the court can order maintenance when approving an application. Practical steps: list joint assets and your contributions; keep copies of titles, statements and certificates; make sure you are the nominee or hibah beneficiary in takaful; discuss gifting the house to you or the children; and apply for an order prohibiting disposal of property if there is a risk (Act 303 s.107A). Get advice from a Syariah lawyer early. See the question on jointly acquired property in polygamy.