Losing a loved one is hard enough without legal uncertainty over what happens next. Inheritance in the UAE follows rules that often surprise expatriate families — and even local families face complex procedures when estates involve businesses, property, or heirs abroad. We guide you through probate with efficiency and genuine compassion.
For Muslims, inheritance is governed by the fixed-share system of Sharia as codified in the Personal Status Law (Federal Decree-Law No. 41 of 2024). The estate passes to heirs in prescribed proportions, and the process begins with obtaining a succession certificate identifying the legal heirs, followed by inventory, settlement of debts, and distribution. Where the estate includes company shares, real estate, or bank accounts, each asset class carries its own release procedures, and disputes between heirs — over valuations, hidden assets, or an heir in possession refusing to account — are regrettably common.
For non-Muslim residents, the position changed decisively in recent years. Federal Decree-Law No. 41 of 2022 provides that the law of the deceased’s home country may govern their estate, and — critically — that a registered will directing how assets are distributed will be respected. In the absence of a will, the civil law provides default rules, including a share for the surviving spouse. Without either a registered will or a timely election of home-country law, families can find UAE default rules applied in ways they never anticipated, with bank accounts frozen while the succession is resolved.
Cross-border estates add further layers: assets in multiple countries, foreign grants of probate requiring recognition, and heirs who cannot travel. We manage the entire process — from the first succession certificate to the final transfer — so the family can grieve without fighting the paperwork.
Obtain succession certificates and manage the full probate process before UAE courts
Unfreeze bank accounts and secure release of estate assets, including company shares and property
Represent heirs in inheritance disputes, asset tracing, and accounting claims
Apply foreign law to non-Muslim estates and coordinate recognition of foreign probate
Advise families on immediate steps after a death — guardianship of minors, business continuity, and debts
Who this applies to: Heirs of Muslim and non-Muslim estates, widows and widowers facing frozen accounts, families with assets or heirs in multiple countries, and business partners of a deceased shareholder.
See also: Will Drafting & Estate Planning.
This page is provided for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. All matters are handled with strict confidentiality. Law references last reviewed July 2026.
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