Q: 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.

Q: We separated with my wife almost a year ago and my 4-year-old daughter stays with me and her nanny in my apartment full-time. I am taking care of all the expenses and supporting her with all needed. And I want everything to be the same after divorcing. Would it be possible for me to get custody in this situation? What are the fees of the family lawyer in Dubai? 

Q: Good morning, I am looking to possibly hire a lawyer for a number of tasks. I live in Saudi Arabia but my husband wants to give me POA for his apartment in Dubai as we need to complete registration papers for same. Also, we need to draw up wills to pass on our properties in Dubai to our kids. Oh, I am Irish and my husband is Saudi, also I am seeking advice re rental contract for my tenant, if possible obtaining 6 months only. We plan to move to Dubai summer 2018. How do I obtain Residence visa as a home owner? I believe our kids can stay there without visa as per GCC. Sorry for all this, that is why I think we need to hire services as opposed to advice. Hoping that you can assist us or direct us. Many thanks in advance, Ann

Q: I have a flat in Dubai but live in the UK. How do I ensure it gets passed to my children should anything happen to me?

Q: Hi, I wanted to know if I can transfer shares of a UAE company to my children through a will. I am an Indian citizen. Does anything change if my company is a mainland company or a free zone company?

Q: I am a Pakistani citizen living in the UAE. I want a legal will and testament written and attested by the UAE bodies so God forbids if I die, I want my assets to go into the right hands. How is it possible in the UAE for an expatriate? Kindly advise.

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

Q: Hi, We are Jordanian married couple living in Dubai, and we have 2 queries: 1. As we don't have kids, we would like to write a will. How can we do that and what are the procedures? (P.S: We are Muslims) 2. My husband bought a property in Jordan and he would like to put it under my name, as it is challenging to travel to Jordan considering the situation, can we do the procedure here in Dubai? Thanks!

Q: I’m Christian and my husband is Muslim. Can I still have a Will that allows me to choose who gets what if I pass away in the UAE, including the guardianship of my 3-year-old son?

Q: As a non-Muslim, if I make a will in the UAE and If I hold property in the UAE and I have minor children, what happens to these assets if I named my minor children as the beneficiary? Will the assets be transferred to my minor children? At what age can they sell it? Does the executor of the will need to hold the property till the minor children become adults? Or can the executor sell it for the minor and transfer the funds to them?

Q: How long will it take to get an execution order from Dubai Courts for a DIFC Will/Grant of Probate?

The United Arab Emirates is a Sharia-Law country with respect to personal status and inheritance. In accordance with the UAE legislation, the UAE Courts will adhere to Sharia Law in a situation where there is no proper Will in place.

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.

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.

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.

An interview-format article covering reasons why a non-Muslim expatriate should have a will in the UAE. This is from the legal podcast of lawyer Ludmila Yamalova, the founder of Lawgical with LYLAW. Ludmila sheds light in this article on the right time and place to start the procedure based on tested practices in the UAE.

An interview-format article covering the topic of the new amendments to the laws in the UAE. This is from the legal podcast of lawyer Ludmila Yamalova, the founder of Lawgical with LYLAW.

An interview-format article covering the topic of legal proceedings during COVID-19 in the UAE. This is from the legal podcast of lawyer Ludmila Yamalova, the founder of Lawgical with LYLAW.

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.

A new civil personal status decree has been introduced in the emirate of Abu Dhabi by His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE and the Ruler of Abu Dhabi. This personal status decree will be applicable for non-Muslim foreigners based in Abu Dhabi in matters of marriage, divorce, Will, inheritance, and custody of children.

Introduction: In the case of [A] v [B] [2024] DIFC SCT, the Dubai International Financial Centre Courts’ Small Claims Tribunal addressed a dispute concerning the non-payment of invoices. Natalie, the claimant, alleged that Nola, the defendant, had failed to fulfill payment obligations outlined in an Engagement Agreement dated November 23, 2023.

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.