Why it’s important to draft a will in the UAE

For most adults, one of life’s inevitable questions is: Is it necessary to make a will?

It’s a perfectly legitimate question, which I must admit, I always welcome being asked as it opens interesting discussions on family protection and life administration.

When it comes to drafting a will, many people hesitate — thinking they’re not ready, they don’t have enough assets, or that in today’s hyperconnected world, a will simply isn’t necessary.

There may be misconceptions that a will is only for the wealthy or the elderly. I’ve also been told by others that they see discussions about what happens to us after we’re gone as a little too morbid. Then, there are others who seem to have an “it will all sort itself out” mindset, where they think things will just fall into place.

In 2022, CNBC reported that two-thirds of adults in the US have no will. The report highlighted the serious implications for grieving family members and the uncertainty that not having a will can bring.

Among the many possible issues in a web of complications that can arise without a will is disputes between family members. This can happen on the basis that without clear instructions, family members could disagree over what the deceased would have wanted. This could spiral into lengthy legal battles as well as broken relationships.

There are also the practical considerations, as there’s no denying that when you try to settle an estate without a will, the probate will usually take longer and may involve higher legal fees.

The benefit of a will cannot be understated. When life changes without warning, a will is a way to set clear, enforceable instructions for your financial affairs. It prevents delays in administration, and most importantly, family disputes.

A will also removes uncertainty over who cares for the children by establishing guardianship wishes. In short, it protects your loved ones from legal complications and ensures peace of mind in difficult times.

Legal delays, frozen assets and unresolved guardianship are challenging enough —but without a will, these problems are magnified when families are spread across borders rather than rooted in one country.

Today, many individuals and families have assets spread across borders, own businesses or properties in different jurisdictions, and are raising children in countries they did not originally call home. With this global lifestyle comes a growing need for clarity and protection. And this is especially relevant for people living in the UAE, considering how large our expatriate population is today.

And if you’re wondering where to begin, I would strongly advise that you start with a few simple questions. Do you own property in the UAE? Do you hold local bank or brokerage accounts? Do you run a business here? Do you have children who would need interim and permanent guardians if something happened to you? Do you hold digital assets such as cryptocurrency that would be hard for loved ones to access without clear instructions?

With the answers to these questions in sharper focus, you can quickly establish what type of will may be suited to your needs – it could be a full will covering all assets and guardianship provisions. Or those more specifically suited to financial assets or business ownership. The point being, whatever is outlined in the will, the important thing is that you have taken a necessary step to make life easier for the people you love and care for.

When someone who has registered a will passes away, the administrator can issue the probate orders required to carry out the instructions in the will. Clear, transparent procedures reduce uncertainty for families and executors, and they reinforce trust that the system will work as intended when it matters most.

The average person makes countless choices every day to protect their careers, their family and their future. Yet one decision can safeguard it all – and this peace of mind is surely worth it.

Amna Al Owais is deputy director of the DIFC Courts

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pocketsRooney’s club record

At Everton Appearances: 77; Goals: 17

At Manchester United Appearances: 559; Goals: 253

Match info

Deccan Gladiators 87-8

Asif Khan 25, Dwayne Bravo 2-16

Maratha Arabians 89-2

Chadwick Walton 51 not out

Arabians won the final by eight wickets

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Mohammed bin Zayed MajlisKilling of Qassem SuleimaniHIJRA

Starring: Lamar Faden, Khairiah Nathmy, Nawaf Al-Dhufairy

Director: Shahad Ameen

Rating: 3/5

More coverage from the Future ForumMohammed bin Zayed MajlisKilling of Qassem SuleimaniKILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANIPersuasion

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Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo

Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm

Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm

Transmission: 8-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh149,900

Stuck in a job without a pay rise? Here’s what to do

Chris Greaves, the managing director of Hays Gulf Region, says those without a pay rise for an extended period must start asking questions – both of themselves and their employer.

“First, are they happy with that or do they want more?” he says. “Job-seeking is a time-consuming, frustrating and long-winded affair so are they prepared to put themselves through that rigmarole? Before they consider that, they must ask their employer what is happening.”

Most employees bring up pay rise queries at their annual performance appraisal and find out what the company has in store for them from a career perspective.

Those with no formal appraisal system, Mr Greaves says, should ask HR or their line manager for an assessment.

“You want to find out how they value your contribution and where your job could go,” he says. “You’ve got to be brave enough to ask some questions and if you don’t like the answers then you have to develop a strategy or change jobs if you are prepared to go through the job-seeking process.”

For those that do reach the salary negotiation with their current employer, Mr Greaves says there is no point in asking for less than 5 per cent.

“However, this can only really have any chance of success if you can identify where you add value to the business (preferably you can put a monetary value on it), or you can point to a sustained contribution above the call of duty or to other achievements you think your employer will value.”

 

Killing of Qassem SuleimaniBackground: Chemical WeaponsUAE currency: the story behind the money in your pocketsThe National’s picks

4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pocketsWhat are the influencer academy modules?
Mastery of audio-visual content creation. 
Cinematography, shots and movement.
All aspects of post-production.
Emerging technologies and VFX with AI and CGI.
Understanding of marketing objectives and audience engagement.
Tourism industry knowledge.
Professional ethics.
Evacuations to France hit by controversy
Over 500 Gazans have been evacuated to France since November 2023
Evacuations were paused after a student already in France posted anti-Semitic content and was subsequently expelled to Qatar
The Foreign Ministry launched a review to determine how authorities failed to detect the posts before her entry
Artists and researchers fall under a programme called Pause that began in 2017
It has benefited more than 700 people from 44 countries, including Syria, Turkey, Iran, and Sudan
Since the start of the Gaza war, it has also included 45 Gazan beneficiaries
Unlike students, they are allowed to bring their families to France
Titanium Escrow profile

Started: December 2016
Founder: Ibrahim Kamalmaz
Based: UAE
Sector: Finance / legal
Size: 3 employees, pre-revenue  
Stage: Early stage
Investors: Founder’s friends and Family

Race results:

1. Thani Al Qemzi (UAE) Team Abu Dhabi: 46.44 min

2. Peter Morin (FRA) CTIC F1 Shenzhen China Team: 0.91sec

3. Sami Selio (FIN) Mad-Croc Baba Racing Team: 31.43sec

Bob Honey Who Just Do Stuff
By Sean Penn
Simon & Schuster

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The specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo

Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm

Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm

Transmission: 9-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh117,059

Babumoshai Bandookbaaz

Director: Kushan Nandy

Starring: Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Bidita Bag, Jatin Goswami

Three stars

Avengers: Endgame

Directors: Anthony Russo, Joe Russo

Starring: Robert Downey Jr, Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Chris Hemsworth, Josh Brolin

4/5 stars 

Brief scores:

Toss: Sindhis, elected to field first

Pakhtoons 137-6 (10 ov)

Fletcher 68 not out; Cutting 2-14

Sindhis 129-8 (10 ov)

Perera 47; Sohail 2-18

What are the GCSE grade equivalents?

 

Grade 9 = above an A*
Grade 8 = between grades A* and A
Grade 7 = grade A
Grade 6 = just above a grade B
Grade 5 = between grades B and C
Grade 4 = grade C
Grade 3 = between grades D and E
Grade 2 = between grades E and F
Grade 1 = between grades F and G
Coffee: black death or elixir of life?

It is among the greatest health debates of our time; splashed across newspapers with contradicting headlines – is coffee good for you or not?

Depending on what you read, it is either a cancer-causing, sleep-depriving, stomach ulcer-inducing black death or the secret to long life, cutting the chance of stroke, diabetes and cancer.

The latest research – a study of 8,412 people across the UK who each underwent an MRI heart scan – is intended to put to bed (caffeine allowing) conflicting reports of the pros and cons of consumption.

The study, funded by the British Heart Foundation, contradicted previous findings that it stiffens arteries, putting pressure on the heart and increasing the likelihood of a heart attack or stroke, leading to warnings to cut down.

Numerous studies have recognised the benefits of coffee in cutting oral and esophageal cancer, the risk of a stroke and cirrhosis of the liver. 

The benefits are often linked to biologically active compounds including caffeine, flavonoids, lignans, and other polyphenols, which benefit the body. These and othetr coffee compounds regulate genes involved in DNA repair, have anti-inflammatory properties and are associated with lower risk of insulin resistance, which is linked to type-2 diabetes.

But as doctors warn, too much of anything is inadvisable. The British Heart Foundation found the heaviest coffee drinkers in the study were most likely to be men who smoked and drank alcohol regularly.

Excessive amounts of coffee also unsettle the stomach causing or contributing to stomach ulcers. It also stains the teeth over time, hampers absorption of minerals and vitamins like zinc and iron.

It also raises blood pressure, which is largely problematic for people with existing conditions.

So the heaviest drinkers of the black stuff – some in the study had up to 25 cups per day – may want to rein it in.

Rory Reynolds

Ashes 2019 schedule

August 1-5: First Test, Edgbaston

August 14-18: Second Test, Lord’s

August 22-26: Third Test, Headingley

September 4-8: Fourth Test, Old Trafford

September 12-16: Fifth Test, Oval

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