I am a non-Muslim Indian citizen residing in Dubai. Given the current geopolitical uncertainties, I would like to secure my estate through a Will. What happens if I don\u2019t have one, what is the process to create one, and what cross-border issues should I consider?<\/p>\n
\u2014Name withheld on request<\/p>\n
The UAE has, in recent years, moved to bring much-needed clarity to how expatriate estates are handled. Federal Decree-Law No. 51 of 2024 and Personal Status Law No. 41 of 2024 have reshaped the succession landscape, particularly for non-Muslim residents.<\/p>\n
Also Read | West Asia war poses no recession risk for India, but a slowdown is on the cards<\/a><\/p>\n If a non-Muslim expatriate dies intestate but leaves behind family, the law now provides a straightforward default: the spouse receives 50% of the estate, with the balance divided equally among children, without gender distinction. In the absence of children, the estate passes to parents and then to siblings.<\/p>\n This is a clear departure from traditional Sharia-based ratios and reflects a more modern, internationally aligned approach.<\/p>\n Equally significant is how the law now deals with \u201cheirless\u201d estates. Rather than being tied up indefinitely, UAE-based assets \u2014 including real estate and business interests \u2014 may be transferred to regulated charitable endowments.<\/p>\n Why a Will matters<\/p>\n For Indian expats in the UAE, putting a Will in place is less about formality and more about control.<\/p>\n The alternatives are well-established: DIFC, ADGM, or onshore courts such as Dubai Courts and the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department. But the choice is not merely administrative.<\/p>\n