4 reasons for making a Will in the UAE

If you are a non-Muslim living or having assets in the UAE, you are well advised to have a Will in place to have your assets distributed in accordance with your own wishes.

We have outlined below the four (4) main reasons for having a Will in the UAE:

1. Distribution of assets

The foremost reason for having a Will in the UAE is of course to ensure that your assets can be distributed as per your own instructions. If you do not leave a Will behind, the UAE courts will apply the Sharia Law to the distribution of your moveable as well as immoveable assets in the UAE.

Sharia Law has its own system of distribution of assets which is outlined in the Holy Quran. Legal heirs, as per the Sharia Law, may include your parents, siblings, spouse, children and grand-children. Non-Muslims, however, are given the option to choose to opt out of the application of Sharia Law to the distribution of their assets in the UAE.

Related: Different types of Wills  in UAE

2. Guardianship

If you do not leave a Will in place, the guardianship of your children below 18 years of age may be determined by the courts as per the UAE Law. This could mean that your wife may not beappointed as the guardian of your minor children. A duly registered Will can ensure the appointment of your wife as the guardian of your minor children.

3. Bank accounts

It is a well-known fact that the bank accounts in the UAE are frozen upon the death of an individual. This includes all single as well as joint bank accounts. A Will can thus be a critical instrument for the spouse(s) to have the control of bank account(s) upon the completion of the process of probate after death.

4. Cancellation of visas

The residence visas of families are cancelled upon the death of an individual (husband) and they are required to leave the UAE within a period of thirty (30) days. This means they must resolve the important inheritance issues in an effective and timely manner before leaving the UAE. A Will is an important instrument to resolve distribution of assets and appointment of guardians within the short period available.

Legal Inz has devised an online process for creating a Will. We have made the process of writing a Will in the UAE extremely simple and cost-effective. You are only required to fill in our online form for us to prepare your Will and we take care of the rest of the process thereafter.

Related: DIFC Wills and Notary Public Wills