Questions & Answers
Questions & Answers
6 available 6 • View allTime needed for issuing a succession certificate

8
Q: How long does it take for a non-Muslim expat with no will to obtain a succession certificate in the UAE?


Sep 30, 2018
1967
DIFC wills
1
Q: I am thinking to obtain the DIFC Will with my husband but I heard that it is pointless. Is this true? Will this document have effect in the Emirates?
Thank you in advance.
May 29, 2016
1561
The procedure for writing the will of expatriates in the UAE
1
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.

Aug 8, 2018
1175
How to transfer the properties of expats to their heirs after death?

2
Q: Hi,
My relative was an Indian national holding a residence of the UAE. He had an ADCB bank account and owned a flat and a business in Dubai.
Unfortunately, he and his wife both passed away in India due to Covid in April 2021. They are survived by two sons, one of whom is a minor, and the other is 21 years old.
The sons are in India, and cannot travel immediately to the UAE due to flight restrictions. I want guidance on the legal process and documentation needed so that the properties and bank balance can be transferred to his sons.
He did not leave behind a will and was a Muslim.


Jun 6, 2021
477
How to transfer the assets of a non-Muslim upon his death after drafting a will?

1
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?


Sep 1, 2021
250
The inheritance of a bank account
3
Q: Hi!
I would like to know about the inheritance of a bank account. Who receives the money?
And can we make a will to ensure only the wife and children receive money as it is a movable asset or normal sharia law will apply?

Aug 3, 2022
476
Legal blog
5 available 5 • View allSecuring Your Assets in the UAE by Registering Your Will 14
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.
Dec 16, 2018
4329
Alternatives to the Sharia Inheritance Law in the UAE 9
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.
Jun 13, 2019
3680
Why Is It Important for Non-Muslim Expats to Have a WILL in the UAE? 8
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.
Nov 25, 2019
1944
Legal Proceedings during COVID-19 in the UAE 0
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.
Feb 18, 2021
279
Personal Status Law for Non-Muslim Foreigners in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi 8
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.
Nov 9, 2021
2522
Laws & Regulations
2 available 2 • View allFederal Law No. (28) of 2005 On Personal Status 24
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.
Nov 19, 2005
49055
Federal Law No. (5) of 1985 On the Civil Transactions Law of the United Arab Emirates 96
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.
Dec 15, 1985
148348

Other answers by
226 226 answers •
View allDisputing tenant's refusal to accept old landlord's rent increase notice 0
Hi,
We recently bought a villa in Dubai. We are looking for an advocate for legal advice.
Even though the old owner gave the tenant a 90-day notice about the new rent, the tenant is not agreeing to the notice because it didn't come from us.
Since the renewal is in October and we bought the property in September, we don't have 90 days to notify the tenant of the new rent.
The tenant agreed to the new rent in an email with the old owner 90 days ago. Can we dispute this?
Sep 25, 2023
144
We had an accident. Can I claim the treatment costs paid to hospital from the insurance? 0
My family and I had an accident. The incident occurred the very next day of their arrival in the UAE on a residence entry permit and their visa//health insurance was still in process.
With gods grace, everyone was discharged from the hospital on the 3rd day after many tests and keeping us under observation. We were slapped with a hefty bill as my family was not holding any health insurance.
What are the chances that I could claim the medical expenses through the vehicle insurance, as it covers co-passengers as well?
May 29, 2023
225
My brother's wife got pregnant with another guy. What happens if he files a case against them? 0
My brother's wife got pregnant with another guy. He wants to file a case against them.
What will happen to them if ever?
May 4, 2023
293
What can I do if a company hired me then changed their mind? 0
I am working in a company and their management is the worst. They made an interview in India and called me.
After calling me here, they again made interviews and made me work for 1 month. And now, they're telling me I am not capable of work and they are mentally torturing me.
I have given them 1.5 lack in office in India and here they are not paying me any salary. I am going into depression as I am not getting any solutions.
The only solution coming to my mind is a suicide, I don’t have any other options left. I have taken money in interest and people are daily coming to my house for money.
Please guide me in a proper way on what I can do.
Apr 18, 2023
190
What happens to the company and its operations if one of the partners is deceased? 0
X Real Estate LLC is a newly formed LLC company in the mainland (DED) with 10 partners, 9 of them Indians and one Pakistani.
As per the new provisions, the company is owned 100 % by expatriate residents. The company’s business is buying and selling real estate in the UAE.
Query:
What happens to the company and other partners, when one partner dies with or without a will?
Can the remaining partners continue to operate the bank account or it will be frozen?
Are the operations of the company frozen? Can the remaining partners carry on the business as usual, buy, rent, and sell the properties?
Can the partners pay the share of the deceased partner to his legal heirs and distribute his share among the remaining partners?
Will this affect the other businesses of the remaining 9 partners in any way?
Feb 27, 2023
198

Other answers by
71 71 answers •
View allThe tenant's right to refuse visits of potential buyers without prior consent 0
I am the owner and have legally notified my tenant regarding my intention to sell and have given her first right of refusal.
But she is not signing nor allowing me access to arrange visits for other interested clients.
What are my rights / legal steps to force a viewing
Feb 17, 2021
9709
The developer refuses to pay the money back after delivery delay due to force majeure 0
I am seeking legal advice to terminate the contract due to a delay in the project for a period of 16 months only.
The following is the details of the project as per SPA and some givens:
- 30% paid in installments (on time, no delay in payment).
- 70% to be Paid on Handing Over.
- Expected Handing over date: 1st April 2019.
- Longstop date of Handing over: 1st April 2020.
- Actual date of delivery announced by developer: 10th August 2020.
- Notification sent to the developer by myself to terminate the SPA and return the 30% paid amount.
- Developer responded that the notification is rejected as the delay is due to force majeure (Covid-19 Pandemic).
Question:
Do I have a winning case if I filed to court to return the paid amount?
Feb 17, 2021
619
Overstaying because a family member is tested positive for COVID 0
Our residence visa grace period expires soon. Because a family member is positive for Covid-19 and he is in-home quarantine, we are unable to fly within the grace time. What should we do?
Will we be fined?
Please guide!
Feb 17, 2021
770
Cancellation of a property purchase and refund for over-delay in handover 0
Hello
I am contacting you from London. I have purchased a property in Dubai in a project in 2005. We purchased two apartments and today we have not received anything yet.
This construction project is still going on and the developer has changed many times. Another company now runs the project, and whenever I contact them they say it's going to be ready in the next 3-months or 6-months.
It keeps postponing work are currently at standstill. I have contacted them then and the same they're waiting for more information from the Dubai authorities.
Every time there's a different story, and we get delayed. It's now been 16 to 17 years since we have invested in this and I would like to put a stop to this now, possibly get a refund and compensation.
Could you please help me by advising me what my situation can be?
Feb 1, 2021
819
Can a father claim the custody of daughter when the mother marries unfit person? 0
My wife and I got divorced 3 months ago, she has custody of our 6-month old daughter.
She wants to remarry but I disagree with the person she wants to remarry as he has a history of violence and abuse.
Can I have the custody agreement revoked?
Mar 26, 2022
714

Premium
Other answers by
177 177 answers •
View allHow to liquidate a free zone company after the death of one partner 0
I am a company owner In Shams free zone of 50 per cent share and have a partner visa. My partner was a Russian who went to Russia and died.
When I went to the free zone to cancel my visa and close the company, they have asked me to get his attested death certificate and NOC from his heirs.
The problem I am facing is his family doesn’t want to give the death certificate nor they want to give NOC. Now my resident visa validity is over and I am on fine every day.
Neither the free zone is cooperating nor the partner's family. What is the other way I can cancel my visa and close the company?
Can someone guide me, please?
Apr 19, 2021
686
How the objection of a client be dealt with after being notified for termination by DLD? 0
I have been notified by DLD that I am in breach of an off-plan sales agreement, and the developer wishes to terminate the agreement.
The date on the notice is March 9, 2021, and I received it from the developer on March 11, 2021. The notice says I have 30 days "from the date of being notified" to make the outstanding payment.
On the termination notice from DLD, a list of objections is present. One of the objections states that the developer must hand over the final SPA to me.
In this case, I have not received the final SPA from the developer. I made an objection in writing to the DLD pointing this fact out and sent it via email, and received a confirmation of the same from DLD by return e-mail on April 6, 2021.
30 days from March 9th is April 8th, or from March 11th is April 10th. Does the developer have to respond to my objection before the DLD will allow them to terminate the agreement?
In this case, will the time I have to make the payment be extended by any period?
Apr 19, 2021
1401
Opening a trustee with wife and signing a postnuptial agreement 0
I would like to open a trustee with my wife and sign a postnuptial agreement.
Apr 19, 2021
448
Closing a business while the local service agent is not reachable 0
Hi,
We have a professional services license (2 partners) + 1 local service agent registered with DED, Dubai.
The partners wish to close the business because of unavoidable circumstances. We wish to proceed with all the necessary paperwork for cancellation.
Unfortunately, the local service agent is not available. We have been trying to connect to him multiple times but have not been able to reach him.
The due date for the renewal of the company is coming up and we want to proceed with all the paperwork for cancellation prior to that.
Kindly advise us about the options if the local service agent is unavailable.
Apr 19, 2021
798
Returning to the UAE to run business after being convicted with a crime 0
Hi,
I want some information regarding my uncle. He was arrested in November 2015 and was in prison until 13 June 2016 when he was deported to Pakistan.
The reason for the arrest was that my uncle had his own business in Sharjah and he was involved in a case where his employee accused him of attacking him and other allegations. He was arrested and convicted.
He needs to reenter the country as he has his business in Sharjah but I believe he is blacklisted/banned. How can I find out if he is blacklisted/banned and how can it be removed to allow my uncle to reenter the country and take over his business?
Is there any way of helping to resolve this issue?
I know that if he enters on a visa, he could be arrested at the airport, and don’t want that to happen.
Thank you!
Apr 5, 2021
498
Get quotes from lawyers
Find the right lawyer for your legal needs.
Submit your request and get multiple
competitive offers from
qualified lawyers.
Popular Q&A
View all Looking for something else?
Ask for advice from a lawyer