Dubai: Can An Expat Register His Will In His Home Country For UAE Assets?

The article clarifies that non-Muslim residents in Dubai have flexible options for estate planning, specifically regarding assets located within the UAE. It establishes that individuals are not strictly required to create a separate local will; they may instead include their UAE-based property and investments in a will executed in their home country. This approach relies on international legal recognition, provided the foreign document undergoes specific validation procedures to ensure it is enforceable by UAE authorities. To make an existing foreign will valid in the UAE, a rigorous chain of authentication is mandatory. The process begins with notarization and legalization by local authorities and the UAE Embassy in the deceased’s home country. Upon arrival in the UAE, the document must be further attested by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Justice after official translation. Only after completing these steps can beneficiaries initiate an inheritance case in the Personal Status Court to distribute assets according to the will’s terms. Alternatively, residents can opt to register a dedicated will directly through Dubai’s Personal Status Courts, Notary Public offices, or the DIFC Wills Service Centre. This parallel option offers a streamlined local pathway for managing estate distribution. This information is crucial for open data initiatives involving legal frameworks and cross-border asset management, as it highlights the structured, transparent procedures available for non-Muslims navigating dual-jurisdiction inheritance laws.

Source: menafn.com
Published on 2023-11-27