Regarding Islamic divorce: Can an Islamic marriage contract be enforced in Utah?

Question detail: In a Bangladeshi Muslim marriage contract, a man can unilaterally divorce the wife, but the wife can only do so under exceptional circumstances. Also, during divorce the woman only gets the dower money and each spouse keeps their own property. Can such be enforced?

Answer: If your marriage is recognized in the State of Utah, you cannot divorce your wife without obtaining a decree of divorce from a Utah state district court. You cannot dissolve a marriage extra-judicially. Utah would almost surely not follow the principles you described that characterize Bangladeshi Muslim divorce practices, as Utah courts would adhere to Utah law, which does not parallel Bangladeshi Muslim divorce practices.

Click here to access the main provisions of the Utah Code governing divorce

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