Q: Hello, I am a Chinese national who came to Dubai for my father's inheritance case after his passing earlier this year. My father owned 2 LLC companies with the same local sponsor, one of which he had a 49% share and the other 25%. I wanted to inherit the shares and exit the companies but was told there's nothing for me and my family to inherit. One of the companies is more than 20 years old and the sponsor refuses to show me financial statements for these companies. What can I do, please?

س: السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته والدي مصري كان يعمل بوزارة التربية والتعليم الاماراتية منذ فترة 25 عام تقريباً وكان له رصيد في بنك وكان ينوي السفر لسحب الرصيد ولكن لم يشاء الله رب العالمين وتوفى والدي 8/4/2020. حالياً هل أستطيع أن أعرف هذا الرصيد بأي بنك موجود؟ أيضاً، هل يمكن أن أسحب الرصيد؟ مع العلم أن الوالد توفى دون إبلاغنا باسم البنك أو حجم الرصيد.

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: Dear sir/madam, My mother recently passed away in Dubai on Feb 22. Now, our family is planning to travel to India to complete the pending formalities like closing the bank account which was under her name, and transferring the land which was in her name to my father. My mother was an Indian national and was a UAE resident. A little research in Google suggests that I would need a legal heir certificate and possibly a succession certificate, is that right? Please advise!

Q: Greetings, I have given a power of attorney to my daughter authorizing her to operate the bank account/sell shares of the company which I own in Dubai, etc when I am not able to do so, and upon my death too. This has been notarized by Dubai courts. The question is: Can she inherit the shares of the company in which I have 10% shares upon my passing away? Thank you, and have a nice day!

Q: My father died recently. We are Muslim residents in Dubai. I have siblings including a minor who is 16 years old. My father has land and vehicles under his name. If I am applying for inheritance, does the minor need to have a share in ALL the properties and vehicles or can she be given a particular property/vehicle? Secondly, if we want the land to be in her name, and she manages it (like renting and bank), does it require an adult? Can the vehicles be transferred to someone else’s name without including her? Your guidance will be very much appreciated.

Q: Dear Sir/Madam, My father died recently. We are Muslims living in Dubai, UAE. I have siblings, including a minor who is 16 years old. My father had land and vehicles under his name. If I am applying for an inheritance, does the minor need to have a share in all the properties and vehicles, or can she be given a particular property? Second, if we want the land to be in her name, can she manage it (like renting and banking) or does it require an adult? I want to ask the same for transferring the vehicles. Your guidance will be very much appreciated!

Q: Hi, My husband passed away and I received a Court Order from ADJD stating that I am the manager of his estate. When I visited the bank, I was told that I should send a request through Dubai Courts to the bank to release any pending amounts in his accounts and that I could collect via Dubai Courts only and not from the bank. Please advise what is the procedure for raising the request through the Dubai Courts system. Thank you!

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.

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.

With the introduction of the new procedures for obtaining a power of attorney (POA) remotely in the UAE, after it was mandatory to appear in person in front of the notary public as a global rule to ensure the identity and intention of the person requesting a POA, we put between your hands this brief guide for how you get it done.

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.

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.