Questions & Answers
Inheritance in the UAE
I would like to know what can I expect from inheritance laws in the UAE regarding a property. We have two sons and daughter we want the ownership to be transferred to children by inheritance.
Should we prepare a will or other agreements before we will buy a property or we can do it afterwards? Will shares be the same for boys and girls in case we wouldn't have any documents in place in case of emergency?
Thanks.
The answer to your question is quite complex. I would recommend scheduling an appointment to discuss in person. We gladly provide free consultation for people seeking inheritance issues.
This is a complex area of law in the UAE, and it impacts individuals quite differently, depending on that individuals' specific facts and circumstances.
Please feel free to call our office and schedule an appointment. Our telephone number is +971 4 448 4284.
As a general rule, according to the Sharia inheritance law, a son is entitled to receive a double share of a female child. This is a general scheme of distribution of the estate in case of absence of a will. Nevertheless, Sharia law is very complicated and the scheme is subject to be changed due to a type of the property, other relatives or emirate jurisdiction.
Will is an instrument which can help you to change the scheme of estate allocation, and in case it is executed in accordance with the UAE law it has to be implemented to relations in case of the death of a testator. The testator has to be an owner of the property, so to provide all the title deeds in case notary public requires to do so.
Thus, it is better to acquire immovable, receive all supporting documents and execute the will. You are welcomed to our office to be provided more detailed information.
