Q: Dear Madam, I’m working for a company in Abu Dhabi. My friend/colleague (Non-Muslim) expired in December 2018 (without a will). He lived in Abu Dhabi for more than 20 years and had an account with money and National Bonds. What is the procedure to withdraw the money & National Bonds of the deceased from the account? His wife is in India and not able to visit the UAE. Kindly help me to know the procedures.

Q: Dear All, My friend passed away two months ago in Dubai and I had to repatriate his body remains to his home country in India. The sponsor company had stated in writing that they would bear the repatriation costs, which I had submitted to the Consulate General of India to cancel the passport for the repatriation. After repatriation, I had visited the sponsor company to claim the repatriation costs and the end of service benefits of my friend. I have obtained the POA in my name on behalf of his legal heirs to claim his end of service benefits from the sponsor company. The sponsor company is now stating that the repatriation cost reimbursement and end of service benefits can only be released together post-opening an account in Dubai Personal Status Courts. I am also getting cues from the sponsor company that it is reluctant to reimburse the repatriation cost and is now stating (verbally) that I should not have born the cost. Kindly advise regarding what should I do to safeguard my position. Thanks in advance!

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: Will Dubai Courts investigate the assets and bank details when we apply for the inheritance? And will the heirs know about the assets?

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.

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.