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: Madam, I work for a Dubai company. My friend/colleague expired in August 2018 while he was on duty in Dubai. What is the procedure for claiming the end of service benefits? His wife already got the Power of Attorney from India, attested by the Indian embassy. Kindly help to know the procedures to claim. She is planning to come to Dubai next month for processing this. Thanks & Regards

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.

س: السلام عليكم، هل يجوز أن يوصي الأب بشيء من العقار لابنته دون باقي إخوانها؟ علمًا بأنها سترث ولكن هذا العقار مخصص لها بالاسم طبقًا للقانون الإماراتي.

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.

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.

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.