United Arab Emirates (UAE) has a diverse population of ex-pats, with many choosing to make the UAE their permanent home. As such, it is important for ex-pats living in the UAE to understand the options available to them when it comes to creating a will. In the UAE, there are four basic types of wills that ex-pats can choose from: the Muslim will, the non-Muslim will, the joint will, and the international will. If you are looking to make a will in Abu Dhabi, here is useful information for you.
Sharia will:
The Muslim will, also be known as a “sharia will,” is governed by Islamic law and is only available to Muslims living in the UAE. Under a Muslim will, a person’s assets are distributed according to the principles of Islamic inheritance, which dictate that certain relatives, such as children and spouses, are entitled to a predetermined share of the deceased’s estate. Non-Muslim ex-pats living in the UAE are not able to create a Muslim will.
Secular will:
The non-Muslim will, also known as a “secular will,” is available to ex-pats of any religion living in the UAE. A non-Muslim will allows a person to distribute their assets according to their own wishes, as long as it does not go against the laws of the UAE. It is important to note that a non-Muslim will is only recognized in the UAE if it is written in English and attested by a notary public.
Joint will:
The joint will is a document that is created by two or more individuals, usually a married couple, who wish to have their assets distributed in a specific way upon their death. It is important to note that a joint will can only be created by a married couple, and it cannot be amended or revoked once it has been signed.
Mirror will:
The international will, also known as a “mirror will,” is a document that is recognized in multiple countries and allows a person to specify how their assets should be distributed in multiple jurisdictions. This type of will is useful for ex-pats living in the UAE who have assets in multiple countries and want to ensure that their wishes are carried out in all of these locations. It is important to note that the international will must be written in English and attested by a notary public in order to be recognized in the UAE.
