Frequently Asked Questions
Wills and Inheritance in the UAE

Without an organised will, the estate may be subject to UAE laws and procedures that differ based on religion, nationality, and the nature of the assets.

In practical terms: bank accounts may be temporarily frozen, guardianship matters may require court proceedings, and procedures may lead to outcomes that do not reflect the estate holder's wishes or the family's needs. The absence of clear documents may also prolong and complicate proceedings.

The simplest solution is to organise a clear will that articulates your wishes and facilitates procedures for your family.

The approach differs based on your religion and the applicable legal framework:

For Muslims: An Islamic will is prepared and documented with the relevant UAE authorities in accordance with Personal Status Law and applicable regulations.

For non-Muslims: Registering a will via DIFC or ADGM may be explored — these are legal frameworks that offer greater flexibility in organising asset distribution.

In all cases, working with a specialised legal consultant is recommended to ensure the will suits your assets, family situation, and legal position.

Bank accounts may be temporarily frozen after death pending the completion of legal estate procedures, depending on the bank and relevant authorities.

This means the family may not be able to access certain funds until the required procedures are completed, depending on the bank, relevant authority, and estate complexity.

Having an organised will and clear legal documents may help facilitate these procedures and reduce delays.

Foreign wills may require legal recognition procedures in the UAE, depending on the nature of the assets and relevant authority.

In many cases, even if you have a will in your home country, assets in the UAE may need separate handling under local laws.

A separate will or documents covering UAE assets directly is therefore recommended, in coordination with a legal consultant.

A will review and update is recommended upon any major change in family or financial life, such as:

• Marriage, divorce, or separation
• The birth of a child or change in guardianship arrangements
• Purchasing property or new assets in the UAE or abroad
• Change of residency or nationality
• Death of a beneficiary or guardian named in the will

A will that does not reflect your current situation may cause complications for the family later. Periodic review ensures the will still aligns with your current situation.

Yes. Non-Muslims in the UAE may explore registering a will via the DIFC or ADGM frameworks, which may offer greater flexibility in organising asset distribution compared to not having an organised will.

Without an organised will, a non-Muslim's estate may be subject to procedures and laws that do not reflect their wishes or their family's needs. Prior planning is therefore an important step for any non-Muslim holding assets in the UAE.

Both — DIFC in Dubai and ADGM in Abu Dhabi — provide legal frameworks for organising non-Muslim wills in the UAE with the option of selecting an applicable legal framework.

The choice between them depends primarily on practical factors: the nature and location of your assets (Dubai, Abu Dhabi, or distributed), each authority's registration requirements, and your family's nature and arrangements.

There is no "best" option in absolute terms — the most suitable choice depends on your specific case. A legal consultant review is recommended to determine the right path.

DIFC will fees vary based on several factors: the type of will (individual or joint for spouses), number and complexity of assets, the relevant authority's charges, and legal consultant fees. A tailored estimate is therefore always recommended after reviewing your case.

The timeframe also varies depending on document readiness and case complexity.

Overall, having a clear will may help the family reduce complications and facilitate future procedures.

Faraid rules apply to Muslim estates in accordance with UAE laws and regulations. Faraid determines the legal share of each heir.

What is available to a Muslim is the one-third bequest — the right to bequeath up to one-third of the estate to non-heirs, such as friends, charitable organisations, or relatives who do not legally inherit.

Specialised legal advice is recommended to understand the available options for each case.

The one-third bequest allows a Muslim to bequeath up to one-third of their estate to non-legal heirs — such as charities, schools, distant relatives, or friends. It can be documented with the relevant authorities in accordance with applicable procedures.

This is a useful legal tool for directing part of the estate toward specific charitable or personal goals within Sharia limits. Specialised legal advice is recommended to draft and document it correctly.

For Muslims, Faraid rules apply in accordance with UAE laws. For non-Muslims, greater flexibility in organising asset distribution may be available through DIFC or ADGM wills depending on the case.

The key difference is in the flexibility of distributing the estate and the available legal frameworks.

Guardianship matters are subject to court discretion based on the best interests of the child and applicable UAE laws.

Organising guardianship arrangements in advance within a suitable will — for both Muslims and non-Muslims — helps clarify the family's wishes and reduces the likelihood of disputes or prolonged proceedings.

A primary guardian and a backup guardian can be explored based on the family's situation and required documents.

A will review is recommended upon major family changes such as marriage, divorce, or the birth of a child, to ensure beneficiaries and estate arrangements still reflect the testator's current wishes.

Family changes may also affect asset distribution or guardianship arrangements, especially where wills or assets exist outside the UAE.

Real estate is subject to UAE laws and procedures, and the approach differs based on the person's religion and property type.

Having clear will documents may help facilitate property transfer procedures, reduce complications, and clarify the estate holder's wishes to the relevant authorities.

A specialised legal consultant review is recommended to understand the available options based on your specific case.

Family business continuity can be organised through prior planning, reviewing partner agreements, organising share transfer, and putting in place an appropriate plan to help maintain continuity and protect heirs' rights based on the case.

The absence of prior planning may lead to complications in share management, partner authorities, and business continuity after an owner's death.