If you have assets, and more importantly, if you have children, then you need a Will. This is a subject that many people are reluctant to address but there are many misconceptions and an all too common reluctance to talk about the relevant issues. In this article I want to set out a few facts and answer the most popular questions that I am asked.

Who needs a Will?

In short, just about everyone. If you have assets you will want to specify you will receive them after your death. By leaving a Will that clearly states who should receive your property and money when you die, you can prevent unnecessary distress at an already difficult time for your family or friends. Assets can also be distributed faster.

If you have children it is important to have a Will so that in the terrible event of both parents dying you get to specify who would bring them up. If you do not specify guardians then the decision will rest with a judge and they will choose whom they deem to be suitable which could well be family members who do not share your views.

What happens if you die without one?

Without a Will you have no say in what happens and anything you own will be distributed in accordance with the law of the land where they are located or your home country laws, and this may not be what you want, especially as a spouse will not be a sole beneficiary.

If you die intestate, the legal term used when someone dies without a Will, it not only complicates matters but it can also take much longer for the estate to be settled, that is, for the assets to be distributed. If you have a spouse or children who need money to live on this can be a real problem.

Will the UAE authorities take my children?

I have seen this rather scaremongering claim many times but it is simply not true. The UAE Government does not want to take the children of expats and the only time a child may be taken into care is if both parents die, or are incapacitated, and there are no instructions as to who should look after them in the short term, nor any family members in the vicinity who can step in.

Do I need a UAE Will when I am living here?

This depends on your personal circumstances. For many expats who have limited assets in the UAE and do not own property here drawing up a second local Will is often unnecessary. If you choose not to make a local Will then Sharia law will be applied to assets held in the UAE, but not those offshore or in a home country. (Unless of course, you are from a country that follows Sharia law.)

If you do not write a Will then your UAE assets will be distributed in accordance with local law. If these are minimal you may not require a local Will, provided other sensible steps are taken, and a home country Will could be more important. It is always best to discuss what is right for you.

Even if you do not need a UAE will, chances are that you have assets in your home country and plan to return there, so a home country will should be arranged. The only real exemptions are for countries with forced inheritance laws.

What about the DIFC option?

The DIFC (Dubai International Financial Centre) Wills Centre (formerly the DIFC Wills & Probate Registry was set up in 2015 and is a method of registering wills that means that Sharia law will not apply. This route is available to non-Muslims only and  means that the individual has free will over the distribution of their UAE assets and Sharia law will not be applied. It is a very  ‘Western’ type of arrangement.

This is a useful option for anyone who own property in the UAE as it is the best way to ensure that the property will be passed wholly to your spouse, or to your preferred beneficiaries. It is not cheap with the registration fees being AED 10,000 for a single person, or AED 15,000, plus VAT,  for a married couple, on top of the cost of writing an appropriate Will, but that is still a small sum in comparison to a property worth several million Dirhams.

From 30th June 2019, assets in any emirate in the UAE can be included in a DIFC Will.

Although this option is fairly costly. I consider it the most secure way to fully protect family and assets for absolute peace of mind.

Other local options

Dubai Courts has an option for expats to register Wills with them but I do not recommend this option as it can take a long time for assets to be unfrozen and there are no guarantees.

The other local option, available to all non-Muslim residents in the UAE,  is with the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department (ADJD). Suitable Wills can be registered with the Wills and Probate Registry established by ADJD.  This allows residents of any emirate to register their Wills and assets.

In the event of death, the ADJD Will must be presented to the Courts under ADJD. The Court will issue the Probate Order which would allow the Executor to administer the estate of the deceased. What we don’t know is how long this process will take but it will take longer than under the DIFC Wills Centre option.

What is the temporary guardianship about?

If you have children under the age of majority, your Wills should specify your chosen permanent guardians in the event of the death of both parents. In many cases the permanent guardians will be resident in a home country so this is a document that is arranged as an adjunct to a main Will and states who you wish to look after your children before the permanent guardians arrive in the UAE, and also allows them to take a few days to get organised before jumping on a plane. At time of writing, few people are able to travel to the UAE and this situation may continue for a while. It means that the children can stay with people they know, in a familiar place, thus lessening the shock and loss at a traumatic time.

This is not mandatory but is a ‘belt and braces’ approach and I believe it to be a good idea for younger children particularly. Depending on the type of Will chosen, there may not be an additional cost to arranged a Letter of Wishes for an Interim Guardian.

We’re Muslim so what are our options?

A Muslim cannot contract around Sharia law in respect of their assets in the GCC and the options are somewhat limited, but they do exist. Generally, an individual has free choice regarding one third of their assets but there may be the ability to make gifts in accordance with the Hiba guidelines.

It is also possible for Muslims to specify guardians for minor children if both parents agree. Under UAE law if one parent dies the surviving natural parent will have care of the child, unless a court rules to the contrary which is not common. If both parents die, Sharia provisions come into effect which generally favour the paternal half of the family unless the parents have jointly agreed who will be responsible for the care prior to death.

It is important to get advice from a lawyer who is an expert in this area. It is worth pointing out that contrary to what you may have seen written elsewhere there is no such thing as a Sharia compliant Will for non-Muslims.

 How long does a will last?

A Will can last indefinitely but in practice they will need to be rewritten later in life as circumstances change. In most countries a will is invalidated by marriage. This means that unless a new one is written the laws of intestacy will apply. This is not the case upon divorce with an ex-partner often retaining a claim unless a new will is made.

It is usual to write new Wills after the birth of a first child (which can include provision for any future children) and at retirement, but requirement depends on your situation.

How do I go about getting a will?

Wills should only be written by expert lawyers. I work with a locally based legal practice who write the Wills for my clients but I have streamlined the process and reduced the fees. The procedure is that you meet with me to clarify your particular circumstances (although this can be done on the telephone at the moment), to obtain answers to questions, and to decide what type of Will you need. I will go through the implications of Sharia law and run through what else you can do to protect your family.

Once you have decided to go ahead, you have to complete a questionnaire, provide proof of identity, and then the lawyers can start preparing your Wills but you do not have to have additional meetings with them (unless selecting the DIFC route where you do have to go the DIFC offices) as we will oversee the process. Note that there is no charge for the initial meeting to discuss options and requirements.

As an additional benefit, wills can be set up with soft copies of documentation and there is no requirement to meet with the lawyers, or me at this time. Even the DIFC Will Centre has moved to a system of virtual registration at this time instead of the usual requirements for a meeting to finalise the Wills.

What else do I need to consider?

The majority of expats would prefer that Sharia law did not apply to their assets and want to make financial provision for their spouse and children. As bank accounts in the UAE are frozen in the event of the death of any account-holder steps should be taken to ensure that the remaining spouse is not without access to money.

I recommend separate bank accounts and keeping the majority of money offshore. Life policies should be in place and set up correctly which often means putting them in trust to avoid inheritance tax and ensure a faster payout of proceeds.

More information can be found in these articles:

The benefits of offshore banking for expats

Protecting what matters most – your-family

What will it Cost?                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       The costs will vary depending on a number of factors including nationality, religion, where assets are held, complexity of situation and other requirements. For UK and Commonwealth citizens who require relatively straightforward Wills written in accordance with home country rules the fees start at AED 3,150 including VAT.  This is for both single people and couples with almost identical requirements.

If you have an existing Will that reflects your current wishes and simply require a Letter of Wishes as a standalone document, or to stand alongside a home country Will this usually costs AED 1,750.

How do I get started?

The first step is to arrange a meeting or call with me and we can take it from there. No pressure, no obligation, just professional and ethical advice tailored to your specific circumstances. During the meeting I will also explain the implications of Sharia law in respect of bank accounts and other assets.

As with most matters, personalised advice is required based on your specific situation. To arrange a meeting to discuss arranging a Will, or for advice on any other personal financial planning issue, please email me at keren@holbornassets.com 

If this article seems familiar, it is an updated version of one I published in October 2016 and includes additional options. Please take a look at the other useful articles on this website.