Last will and testament UAE for non muslims is considered one of the most important legal documents that govern the fate of a person’s money after his death. In the UAE, special legislation has been put in place to regulate the issue of wills for non-Muslims, ensuring the protection of their rights and the implementation of their last wishes.
What is a last will and testament UAE for non muslims?
It is a legal act made by a person while he is alive to determine how his property will be distributed after his death. A will can include all types of property, whether real estate or movable, cash or shares.
Read more: Last will from ADJD for Muslims
Why make a Will?
Writing a last will and testament UAE for non muslims is an important step for non-Muslims, for many reasons, most notably:
- Ensuring the implementation of the deceased’s wishes: The will allows the deceased to express his wishes regarding the distribution of his property after his death, which ensures its implementation in a legal and organized manner, and reduces the possibility of disputes between heirs.
- Preserving the rights of heirs: The last will and testament UAE for non muslims contributes to protecting the rights of legitimate heirs, as it clearly defines the shares of each heir from the estate, and ensures that each individual receives his right.
- Avoiding complex legal procedures: In the absence of a will, distributing the estate may require complex and lengthy legal procedures, and may cause delays in obtaining financial rights.
- Respecting cultural and religious diversity: The ability to write a will for non-Muslims in the UAE is an expression of religious tolerance and respect for cultural diversity in Emirati society.
- Facilitating procedures after death: The last will and testament UAE for non muslims contributes to facilitating the procedures related to liquidating the estate, and accelerating the process of handing over property to the heirs.
aRead more: How to Make a Will in UAE – Expert Will Drafting Services
Conditions for writing last will and testament UAE for non muslims
- The testator must be an adult and sane: The person writing the will must have full legal capacity.
- The will must be written and signed: The will must be clearly written and signed by the testator and two witnesses.
- The will must specify the bequeathed property: The will must clearly specify the property that will be distributed to the heirs.
- The will must specify the heirs: The last will and testament UAE for non muslims must specify the persons who will inherit the property.
- The will must be in accordance with the law: The will must be in accordance with the applicable UAE laws.
Different aspects of Inheritance Laws
Inheritance laws in the UAE are based primarily on Islamic law, and are clear and precise in defining the rights of each heir. However, there are some aspects that make these laws an interesting and debatable topic:
Diversity in applications:
- Muslims: Inheritance laws for Muslims in the UAE are fully subject to the provisions of Islamic law.
- Non-Muslims: For non-Muslims, the provisions of this decree-law apply to non-Muslim citizens of the United Arab Emirates, and to non-Muslim foreigners residing in the country unless one of them insists on applying his personal law.
- Foreigners: Foreigners can choose to apply the law of their home country in inheritance matters, but they must submit a request to do so.
Importance of last will and testament UAE for non-muslims:
- Sharia law allows the writing of a will, but within certain limits and cannot conflict with the rights of the legitimate heirs.
- Importance of the will: Last will and testament UAE for non muslims helps avoid disputes between heirs and ensures that the wishes of the deceased are implemented.
Role of Courts:
- Resolving disputes: Courts play a vital role in resolving inheritance disputes, applying the law and interpreting its provisions.
- Protecting the rights of heirs: Courts strive to protect the rights of all heirs and ensure that the inheritance is distributed fairly and equitably.
Changes and developments:
- Legislative developments: Inheritance laws in the UAE have witnessed some developments and amendments to keep pace with social and economic changes.
- International influences: Inheritance laws in the UAE are influenced by international legal developments, especially in the field of human rights and women’s rights.
Challenges:
- Complexity of some cases: Some inheritance cases may face legal complexities that require in-depth study and careful interpretation of Sharia provisions.
- Family disputes: Family disputes may delay inheritance division procedures and increase costs.
Read more: Cost of Making Will in Dubai in 2025
Last will and testament UAE for non muslims
A will is a legal act taken by a person (the testator) to determine the fate of his money and property after his death. It expresses the testator’s desire to distribute his estate to the people he desires, or for specific charitable purposes. Therefore, we will explain in the following lines the advantages of last will and testament UAE for non muslims:
- Flexibility in conditions: UAE laws allow the testator great freedom in setting the conditions of his will, without significant restrictions.
- Ease of procedures: The procedures for preparing and registering a will in the UAE are characterized by their ease and speed.
- Ensuring the implementation of the will: UAE laws guarantee the implementation of the will according to the conditions specified by the testator.
- Possibility of amending the will: The testator can amend his will at any time he wishes.
Read more: Non-Muslims Will Writing
Why the last will and testament UAE for non muslims?
- Ensuring the implementation of the deceased’s wishes: The will ensures the implementation of the deceased’s wishes regarding the distribution of his estate, which spares the heirs any potential disputes.
- Maintaining family stability: The will contributes to maintaining family stability and avoiding disputes over the division of the inheritance.
- Donating to charity: The testator can donate part of his estate to charitable works or non-profit organizations.
- Facilitating estate procedures: Having a clear will facilitates and speeds up the estate settlement procedures.
Legal Framework last will and testament UAE for non muslims
The United Arab Emirates has issued a special law regulating the preparation and implementation of wills for non-Muslims, which aims to provide a clear and comprehensive legal framework that protects the rights of non-Muslim heirs and ensures that their wills are implemented in accordance with the law and Sharia to which they belong. The most prominent features of last will and testament UAE for non-muslims:
- Freedom to prepare a will: The law allows non-Muslims the freedom to prepare their wills in the manner they see fit, whether handwritten or printed, and in the language they prefer.
- Registration of the will: The law requires the registration of the will in the designated registry at the competent court, in order to ensure its validity and to facilitate the procedures for its implementation after the death of the testator.
- Conditions for the validity of the will: The law stipulates a set of conditions that must be met for the validity of the will, such as that the last will and testament UAE for non-muslims be issued by a person qualified to act, that it be clear in meaning, and that it not include any condition that violates public order or public morals.
- Execution of the will: After the death of the testator, his will is executed according to the specified legal procedures, by the executor of the will appointed by the testator in his will.
Read more: How Long is a Last Will and Testament Valid in UAE
Advantages of POA&More in writing the last will and testament UAE for non muslims
POA&More POA Dubai is a company specialized in providing legal and administrative services, including last will and testament UAE for non muslims writing services. This company has several advantages that make it an ideal choice for non-Muslims residing in the UAE who wish to write their wills in Dubai:
- Specialized expertise: The company has extensive experience in the field of UAE law, especially with regard to the law of wills for non-Muslims. This means that they are fully aware of the legal procedures required to ensure the validity of your will and its smooth implementation.
- Comprehensive services: The company provides comprehensive services covering all aspects of the process of writing last will and testament UAE for non muslims, starting from legal advice to preparing the will and registering it with the competent authorities.
- Confidentiality and privacy: The company is keen to maintain the confidentiality of all information related to your will, and guarantees you the utmost privacy during your dealings with them.
- Language facilities: The company provides its services in several languages, including English, to meet the needs of different nationalities residing in the UAE.
- UAE Presence: Being based in the UAE, the company has a deep knowledge of the local legal environment, making it easy for you to write Last will and testament UAE for non muslims.
Frequently asked questions
How to make a will in Dubai for non-Muslims?
POA&More is a company specializing in providing legal services, including helping non-Muslims in the UAE write their wills. Given the importance of this legal document, it is essential to understand the basic procedures and requirements to ensure its validity and avoid any legal problems in the future. The company offers a range of services related to writing last will and testament UAE for non-muslims, including:
- Legal consultation: Specialized lawyers provide you with comprehensive legal advice on the laws applicable to wills in the UAE and how they apply to your personal situation.
- Will drafting: Lawyers draft the will legally and accurately, taking into account all your wishes and ensuring that it complies with applicable laws.
- Will translation: If the last will and testament UAE for non muslims is written in a language other than Arabic, the company translates it into Arabic and authenticates it.
- Will registration: The company registers the will with the relevant authorities in the UAE.
- Will execution: In the event of death, the company can undertake the execution of the terms of the will on your behalf.
What is the new law for non-Muslims in UAE?
The United Arab Emirates has witnessed a significant development in the field of legislation related to the personal status of non-Muslims, through the issuance of a new law that regulates many issues related to the family and social life of this category. In the following lines, we explain what the new law for non-Muslims in the Emirates is:
- Civil marriage: The law allowed civil marriage for non-Muslims, providing them with a clear legal framework for their marital relations.
- Joint custody: The law emphasized the right of the father and mother to joint custody of the children, taking into account the best interests of the child.
- Divorce: The law defined the procedures for divorce, alimony, and the rights of each spouse after separation.
- Inheritance and wills: The law regulated the issue of inheritance and wills for non-Muslims, ensuring the rights of heirs.
- Proof of lineage: The law established clear mechanisms for proving lineage in cases that require it.
- Equality between men and women: The law emphasized the principle of equality between men and women in rights and duties in all matters related to personal status.
