Wills In Dubai

A valid Will is the most effective way of ensuring your wishes are carried out after your death. Wills in Dubai are made more complex by the array of options available to expats. Whilst there is no fixed format in which a Will must be written, there are legal processes that must be complied with in order for it to be valid.

Many people write their own Wills and where circumstances are simple this is often the most cost-effective method. However, life is becoming increasingly complex. For example, couples having different home countries, children by previous marriages, separation, divorce, and assets held in multiple jurisdictions. The UK Government funded website “The Money Advice Service” recommends expatriates seek professional advice.

When approaching an unfamiliar task, such as writing a Will, it takes time to familiarise yourself with what needs to be done and to understand the legal jargon. Even if you wrote a Will several years ago, there will have been changes in legislation and taxation. These changes will need to be researched and considered when writing your Will.

The combination of unfamiliarity, jargon and fine detail adds to the risk of potentially getting something wrong and your Will being challenged in court. Consequently, whilst there is a cost in appointing a Will writer, this is a relatively small amount compared to the amount of your time and effort expended; the risk of missing important Estate Planning opportunities and a potential legal challenge to your wishes.

Local Considerations

From 1st February 2023 new laws have been passed in the UAE which determines how non-Muslim assets within the UAE are to be distributed on the owner’s death.

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