Q: My wife passed away in December. Her end of service benefits was deposited by her company to her bank account. Now, the bank is telling me to get a court order before they can issue the funds to me. What are the requirements for getting a court order?

Q: My father passed away in Pakistan. He has a property and bank account in Dubai. Can a legal heir succession certificate issued in Pakistan be used for accessing his assets?

Q: Legal heirship certificate for a person who lived in the UAE but now lives in India and died.

Q: Dear Sir/Madam, My father owned a company in Dubai. He passed away in India, his native place. How can I obtain a legal heir certificate, and what is the limitation of a succession certificate?

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.

Inheritance matters can be intricate, especially in a jurisdiction like the United Arab Emirates (UAE), where local laws and international considerations intersect. Understanding the procedures to obtain a succession certificate or legal heir certificate is crucial for the rightful distribution of a deceased's assets.

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.