Questions & Answers
Questions & Answers
11 available 11 • View allDIFC 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
1570
Inheritance in the UAE

1
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.

Jun 2, 2016
6798
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
1187
Closing a joint account after husband's death without a will
1
Q: Hi Ludmilla,
My husband (German) died and we have a joint account. He didn't write a will.
How can I close the account at Dubai Courts?
We have 2 children; a daughter lives in Dubai and a son in Munich. His parents are not alive.
Which documents would I need?
Thanks!

Feb 26, 2020
1096
How to register a will for allocating assets in the UAE?
0
Q: I am a non-Muslim expatriate in Dubai. I have 2 apartments and bank accounts in Dubai. I have only a daughter who is abroad (my wife passed away).
How to make a will and register that in the cheapest way in Dubai, so that the properties and cash in accounts will go to my daughter?

Jun 15, 2021
201
How will the property of an unmarried non -Muslim woman be divided after her death?
1
Q: A family member (non-muslim, ex-pat, female) passed away. She was registered in the UAE and has a UAE working/residency permit, alongside a company registered in the FFZ. It appears there is no will. She has no UAE real estate. She has no children and was never married.
She has a living mother and sister, alongside an adopted sister with whom no one has a contact.
1) How will heirs be decided? Using home country law or sharia? Can we choose? How do mother and sister show proof of lineage?
2) Using the inheritance law of our home country, the adopted sibling is seen as a full sibling. It will be a 1/3 division between the three persons stated above. Can a court in UAE overrule this part of home country inheritance (e.g. incompatible with UAE laws) and skip the adopted sibling?
3) Can legal heirs (e.g. mother, full blood-related sister) agree to a different division if heirs are decided? E.g. the sister wants to include her children as heirs. Or does this have to be done after the money transfer?

Aug 1, 2021
335
What did the new personal status and civil marriage law present for non-Muslims?
3
Q: Can anyone explain the latest divorce law in Abu Dhabi for non-Muslims?

Nov 10, 2021
447
The new inheritance law in the UAE
1
Q: Dear sir/madam,
What is the new inheritance law here in the UAE?
And what are the required documents to open an inheritance case?

Apr 17, 2022
286
What happens to assets inherited by a child who has not reached the legal age?
0
Q: What happens to assets inherited by a child who has not reached the legal age in the UAE?
Are assets given to the guardian or kept with the courts till they reach legal age?

Apr 19, 2022
211
How long will it take to get an execution order from Dubai Courts for a DIFC Will?


2
Q: How long will it take to get an execution order from Dubai Courts for a DIFC Will/Grant of Probate?



Dec 15, 2022
459
Where is it better to do a Will, Dubai or Abu Dhabi? And How much are the lawyer fees?




0
Q: We are non-Muslims with Abu Dhabi visas and we live in Dubai. We need to do a Will.
Is it better to do the Will in Abu Dhabi or Dubai?
We have no property in the UAE, the Will is only needed in respect of bank accounts, guardianship, and end-of-service benefits.
What are the approx costs to do it using a lawyer?





May 25, 2023
381
Legal blog
10 available 10 • View allWhy You Need a Will in the UAE? 4
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.
Feb 28, 2017
4898
Wills for Non-Muslims in Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah 5
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.
Mar 19, 2018
2949
Securing 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
4347
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
3689
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
1964
Have you Appointed a 'Beneficiary' for Your EOSB at Your Company ? 14
The appointment of 'Benficiary' applies to payments made in respect of EOSB – End of Service Benefits, other emoluments due to the employee, unpaid salaries, employee insurance claim benefits, and all other cash and /or asset benefits due to the employee.
Mar 22, 2020
1226
Recent Amendments of the Laws in the UAE 4
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.
Feb 3, 2021
3072
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
286
If You Are Not Immortal, You Should Write a Will 4
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.
Oct 14, 2021
796
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
2535
Laws & Regulations
1 available 1 • 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
49072

Other answers by
3 3 answers •
View allCanceling employment visa to apply for a visa with another employer 0
I have opened a judgement execution file recently for my salary case. Can I cancel my existing employer visa and start another job?
Dec 24, 2017
2230
Son's rights in child support 0
I have a 3-year-old son who is currently being diagnosed with a disease that requires immediate medical attention and enough funding to avoid complication in his heart. Prior to this situation, I have asked his father months ago of his paternal obligation and financial support to our son but he has intentionally ignored us up to this date because he has a new family but they know of my sons' existence.
I am very much desperate considering that time is very important and I don't have enough money to support the medical needs of my son. How can I oblige the father who is currently working in a big company in Dubai and does nothing on this matter?
Apr 9, 2017
955
Enforcement of court decision against a developer 0
We won a court case against a property developer in Dubai back in November of last year. The court has issued an order of execution against the real estate developers assets.
It has been now more than 3 months that this order has been issued and our lawyer keeps saying that the court can't find the assets even though the real estate developer have a project in construction and has advertising on billboards, buses, gas stations all over the UAE.
What can we do in this instance and how can we make sure that the order is executed and we get our money back?
Apr 9, 2017
1626

Other answers by
453 453 answers •
View allTerminating an employee after sick leave and claiming compensation 0
Hello,
My employer fired me under Article 44 for not showing up for work for 7 days in a row. But that’s not the case at all. I was sick and the management was aware and they let me go.
I went to another country to get treatment because it’s expensive in Dubai. My employer did not pay me my salary for the month I worked and fired me.
I have official sick leave from another country and there is correspondence where my employer sent me to another country for treatment.
The problem is that the employer says that he will take compensation for the training that was specified in the contract, but I did not undergo training at all; I immediately started work from the first day of work and there was no training.
Does my employer have the right to charge me such a fee and not pay my salary?
Feb 29, 2024
459
How to make the seller hand over the tenant's security deposit to the buyer upon completing a sale? 0
Should the seller in Dubai hand over their tenant's security deposit to the buyer upon completing a sale?
Who is responsible for managing this process?
At the time of the exchange, the broker said he would follow up with the seller and collect the deposit.
He hasn’t, and the seller has not handed over the deposit.
Feb 8, 2024
424
How to deal with in-laws provoking and recording reactions? 0
Dear Sir/Madam,
My husband's family constantly provokes me and then records my every exaggerated reaction.
Now I'm worried that they might use those things against me.
Feb 8, 2024
245
How to cancel the MoU to buy an apartment with the broker if the bank did not approve the loan? 0
Hi,
I have a situation where I signed an MoU and gave my security deposit to the seller's agent. However later, the bank valuation of the property is lower than the selling price.
On my MoU, it has a clause that “the buyer has a right to cancel/negotiate if the bank valuation is not the same as MoU.” I tried to negotiate, however, we didn't agree on the price so I asked to cancel.
Now the agent is threatening me that they will not cancel the MoU and that will deposit my cheque. Later I also came to know that the person I am dealing with is not the same person whose name is mentioned as a broker in the MoU.
The agent I am dealing with is constantly messaging me with threats. I decided not to speak to him and instead, I wrote an email to the broker whose name is mentioned on the MoU but received no response.
I am on a very tight timeline as I need to vacate my apartment in 3 weeks, I found another unit but I don't know if I can pursue this while the initial MoU still not canceled.
Please, I need advice.
Feb 8, 2024
625
Employer asking for visa reimbursement after resignation: do I need to pay? 0
Hello Sir/Madam,
I have already finished my first year with my company and resigned.
My employer is asking me to reimburse the cost of my visa because I did not finish my two-year contract.
Do I need to pay? The cost is 7,000 AED.
Oct 20, 2023
811
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