Q: Hi Rajasree, My name is Ahmed A., I reside in Canada with my family. 8 years ago, my father passed away in Dubai. He has an Auto garage with shares with a local partner and my two uncles, with my father and the local partner having the majority of share at 24% and 51%. Soon after my dad passed away, we got our inheritance papers made at Dubai Courts. It's been 8 years since we got even a penny from my uncles. Now, they are pushing us to sell our shares below the market value. They are being very hostile towards us, threatening us if we do not sell, they can have the trade license terminated. I am a Chef here in Kingston, Ontario. It is very hard for me to drop everything and chase matters in Dubai. Please advise if the threats are true and I should sell my shares. If you can email, it will be greatly helpful. Thank you Ahmed A.  

Q: Hi I need to access my husband's bank account in the UAE. He died and I have legal heirship and death certificate both attested by the UAE embassy in India, where he died. What is the next step? Do let me know. Thanks

Q: How long does it take for a non-Muslim expat with no will to obtain a succession certificate in the UAE?

Q: Hi, I am Professor for Private International Law in Geneva, Switzerland. I was wondering if, assuming a Swiss dies with the last domicile in the UAE, are the UAE courts having jurisdiction based on Article 9 of the federal law of personal status religious court or state court? Many thanks, Kind regards, GPR

Q: Good day, My friend now is facing some difficulties to get part of a property located in Dubai. She is a citizen of a Central Asian country and her husband is a citizen of Yemen. They got married in a registry office in Dubai. He had died some time ago and there is no will left. He used to have 2 more wives and children from these wives. My friend (his 3rd wife) wants to get some part of the property located in Dubai. Her husband used to have a residence in the UAE as an investor. Can you please assist whether she can claim for the part of this property (both of them are not citizens of the UAE)? If yes, is it possible to explain in brief the procedure? If no, can she obtain a decision from the Court from her country of residence on the division of the property located in Dubai and later enforce this decision in Dubai? Then will the court of Dubai recognize and enforce this decision of the Civil Court of the foreign country? Thanks

Do you have assets in the UAE? Have you made a will yet? It is highly recommended to register a will soon, otherwise, the drive to asset disbursement can be extensive and expensive. In addition to the option of registering a will in DIFC for Non-Muslim will registration, Abu Dhabi Judicial Department (ADJD) had also introduced a separate office since August 2017, which has made the entire will registration process easier and cost-effective.

In 2016, Dubai introduced an exceptionally unique solution to entertain basic asset protection needs to Foreign Investors and Expat Residents living in Dubai. They can now be 100% sure their assets are fully protected against any problems that may arise because of the forced heirship system applied by the Sharia Regulations in the United Arab Emirates, or any other conflict between the religious laws of succession between the person and the state where he lives and invests.

The article states the currently available options on how to set up a Will in the UAE. The expatriate (non-Muslim) testator has several options on how to protect the assets in the UAE and how to appoint guardians for the minor child(ren) habitually residing in the Emirates.

The last Will or the testament has been regulated by all the modern and ancient laws worldwide, as an expression of wishes of any person to some actions and decisions that should be taken, and instructions to be followed after their death - either concerning their assets and how it should be distributed or concerning important decisions towards the well-being and future of their minor children.

The provisions of this law, promulgating UAE Civil Code, govern the civil transactions in the United Arab Emirates. The commercial transactions remain subject to the laws and regulations applicable in their regard.

UAE Personal Status Law (also known as Personal Affairs Law) governs marriage, divorce, inheritance and other personal affairs in the United Arab Emirates. The law equally applies to citizens of the UAE and non-citizens unless one of them asks for the application of his home country law.