Mehrieh (the marriage portion) is among the questions clients raise most. The key point: it is treated as a debt the husband owes the wife and — unless the contract makes it payable "when able" — she may claim it at any time, during the marriage or after a divorce.
Step one: fixing the amount
If the mehrieh is set in currency, the figure in the marriage deed is adjusted to present value using the Central Bank index. If it is gold coins, the measure is the price on the day of payment — not the day of marriage. In high-value matters that distinction matters a great deal.
Step two: formal notice or direct filing
A formal notice before filing is not mandatory, but in practice it is advisable: it fixes the claim date and sometimes leads to settlement before court. There are two routes:
- Through the registry enforcement office where the marriage was recorded — faster, but limited to asset seizure;
- Through the family court — the full range of enforcement tools, including review of inability to pay.
The choice between registry and court turns on the other party's known assets and your goal for the case — settle it with counsel before you act.
Step three: seizure and Article 3
Once judgment or a writ issues, the debtor's assets — bank accounts, vehicle, property — can be seized. Where no assets exist, Article 3 of the Financial Judgments Enforcement Act allows arrest; but it is conditional, and proof of insolvency with installment payment prevents imprisonment. The popular notion that "mehrieh means prison" is not accurate.
In short
Claiming mehrieh is a clear but detail-heavy process; choosing the right route at the outset can save months and cost. If you have a specific question about your own situation, we can review it in a consultation.
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