Is a civil law marriage automatically dissolved when one spouse converts to Islam?
No. Conversion to Islam, by itself, cannot dissolve a civil law marriage. Only civil courts can dissolve such marriages, not Syariah courts. Q: Who can petition for divorce under civil law? A: Only the non-converting spouse can apply for divorce under civil law. The law should be amended to allow either the non-converting spouse or the converting spouse to apply for divorce in the civil court. Q: What happens if the non-converting spouse does not apply for divorce? A: The civil marriage continues to exist. Q: When a civil law marriage breaks down because one spouse converts, which law applies? A: The civil law still applies because the marriage was registered under civil law. So issues of divorce, maintenance, custody and guardianship of children, and division of assets must also be decided under civil law. Q: Can the non-converting spouse apply for divorce immediately? A: No. The divorce petition can only be filed three months after the date of conversion. Q: Is anyone legally require
