14/09/2026
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14/09/2026
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KUWAIT CITY, Sept 14: The Ministry of Justice intends to add a new measure prior to the official registration of the marriage contract through the forthcoming amendment of the Personal Status Law, which will require couples planning to get married to attend a premarital counseling course for one week. This step aims to prepare couples for married life, raise their awareness of their rights and responsibilities, and reduce family disputes. Lawyers told the newspaper that premarital counseling is an important preventative measure that could prevent family conflicts.
They stressed the necessity for the course to be practical and realistic, not just a routine procedure. Minister of Justice Counselor Nasser Al-Sumait previously confirmed in a press statement that this is part of the anticipated legal amendments aimed at raising awareness among couples intending to get married and familiarizing them with the nature of married life and the corresponding responsibilities, thus, reducing divorce rates and maintaining family stability. Attorney Inam Haidar indicated that premarital counseling could be an important step toward preventing family disputes, provided that the course is practical and realistic and does not become a mere formality to complete the marriage procedures.
She underscored the need for couples to understand their rights and obligations before getting married, including the marital responsibilities of each party towards the spouse and the children. She also stressed the importance of clarifying the legal consequences of divorce, including issues related to alimony, child custody, visitation rights and housing. Attorney Jarrah Mubarak Al-Wawan affirmed that developing the Personal Status Law should not be limited to addressing conflicts after they occur, but should extend to prevention and awareness.
He considers making premarital counseling mandatory for couples a positive step as long as it addresses the real challenges that families are facing and informs both parties about the responsibilities and legal implications of marriage and divorce. He pointed out that the goal should be to build families that are more aware and better equipped to handle disputes. Attorney Abdulmohsen Al-Qattan stated that protecting the family and the best interests of the child should be at the forefront of any amendment to the Personal Status Law. He added that a couple’s responsibility does not begin with the birth of their children, but from the moment they decide to get married. “Therefore, educating them beforehand about their rights, obligations and responsibilities can contribute to a more stable family environment,” he concluded.
By Jaber Al-Hamoud Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff
