Q: My brother and I bought a property in RAK. My brother died in a car accident 2 years back. I am an Indian citizen and my brother applied for PR in Canada. His younger son is a Canadian citizen and the elder one is Kazakhstani citizen. His wife also holds Canadian PR. He left no will; he has two sons and a wife, and the wife is not on talking terms now. I am confused about what to do to resolve this. I have paid all registration money and now I am stuck. Please advise

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: Procedures after the death of husband in the UAE. I am an 88-year-old Hindu widow living in Dubai. My husband died in Dubai a few months ago. My husband did not have a Will. I request assistance on the correct steps and procedures to get the money my husband had in his name and in joint names in Dubai banks and also some funds in India + plus one old car in Dubai. There is also an existing execution case in Dubai courts where a person owes money to my husband. I have a son and daughter and they are willing to make any POA or document that I might need. A) I heard that first I have to start a "Succession Certificate file" and then I have to start an "Inheritance case". Is this the correct procedure? Do I need both steps or only the first? Should I submit a list of known assets when asking for a Succession Certificate or when starting an inheritance case? B) What documents do I need? What attestations should these documents have? I am a poor lady, bedridden due to disease. I look forward to your help.

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.

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.

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.