Q: Good morning, I am looking to possibly hire a lawyer for a number of tasks. I live in Saudi Arabia but my husband wants to give me POA for his apartment in Dubai as we need to complete registration papers for same. Also, we need to draw up wills to pass on our properties in Dubai to our kids. Oh, I am Irish and my husband is Saudi, also I am seeking advice re rental contract for my tenant, if possible obtaining 6 months only. We plan to move to Dubai summer 2018. How do I obtain Residence visa as a home owner? I believe our kids can stay there without visa as per GCC. Sorry for all this, that is why I think we need to hire services as opposed to advice. Hoping that you can assist us or direct us. Many thanks in advance, Ann

Q: What is the process for registering a Will in the UAE courts for non-muslim expats? Also, what is the process for execution of the Will?

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.  

Q: Hi, I wanted to know if I can transfer shares of a UAE company to my children through a will. I am an Indian citizen. Does anything change if my company is a mainland company or a free zone company?

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.

Q: I have some savings in banks and national bonds in my name and gratuity with the company. I am working in a private sector company in Dubai since 2013. I have 2 minor kids and a wife in Dubai. Can anyone advise what is the best plan to safeguard them if anything happens to me? Thanks

Q: Hi, We are Jordanian married couple living in Dubai, and we have 2 queries: 1. As we don't have kids, we would like to write a will. How can we do that and what are the procedures? (P.S: We are Muslims) 2. My husband bought a property in Jordan and he would like to put it under my name, as it is challenging to travel to Jordan considering the situation, can we do the procedure here in Dubai? Thanks!

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?

Q: Can anyone explain the latest divorce law in Abu Dhabi for non-Muslims?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.