United Arab Emirates: Wills/ Intestacy/ Estate Planning

A Dubai court case explores whether a mother's four-year silence on seeking full custody constitutes a legal waiver of her rights, while examining how modern joint custody concepts apply to Muslim families traditionally governed by rigid custodial hierarchies. The ruling addresses critical questions about parental rights, financial obligations, and the best interests of children in Islamic family law.

For expatriates with assets in the UAE, estate planning is an important part of responsible long-term planning. While it is often assumed that assets...

The UAE Personal Status Law defines ‘inheritance' as ‘the imperative devolution of the property and financial rights upon the death of their owner to those deserving' (Article 313).