Just Legal: UAE Default Inheritance Laws, Wills, Asset Protection & Court Attestations Explained

Are you living, working, or investing in the UAE? Understanding estate planning, succession, and default inheritance laws is essential to protecting your assets, business, end-of-service benefits, and family. In this episode, host Shahnaz interviews Mr. Sumit Ahuja, Partner at Just Legal a UAE-based boutique law firm specializing exclusively in wealth succession and inheritance matters since 2015. Together, they break down the default inheritance laws for non-Muslims and Muslims, explain how court-attested wills protect minor children and business assets, and highlight the critical difference between professional legal guidance and typing centers. Key Discussion Topics Covered: UAE Default Inheritance Laws: Understanding the 50/50 split between spouse and children for non-Muslims, and how Muslims can bypass default rules through the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department (ADJD). Why You Need a Will: Protecting minor children from having their inheritance frozen, appointing guardians, and enabling surviving spouses to manage or execute estate assets smoothly. What a Will Covers: Full coverage for real estate, bank accounts, company shares, vehicles, investments, end-of-service benefits, and gratuity payments (and why social media monetization isn't covered). Essential Supporting Documents: The importance of maintaining an updated asset and liability list, drafting a letter of wishes, and setting up a power of attorney between spouses. Planning by Category: Tailored advice for employees, business owners, property investors, and retirees on retirement visas. Court Attestation Options: Differences in procedures and costs between Dubai Courts, Judicial Department Abu Dhabi (ADJD), and DIFC Courts. Execution Across Emirates: How attested wills are executed in local family courts across Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al-Khaimah, Fujairah, and Umm Al-Quwain. Risks of Typing Centers: Why saving a few hundred dirhams at a typing center can endanger multi-million dirham estates. Reviewing & Redoing Wills: Free will reviews, updating wills after major life events like divorce, and why AI platforms cannot replace experienced legal professionals. About Just Legal: Just Legal is a specialized boutique law firm operating in the UAE, providing clear, compassionate, and reliable advice on estate planning, probate, succession, and guardianship matters. 💬 Join the Conversation: Did any of these UAE inheritance facts surprise you? Have you already secured a court-attested will for your assets in the UAE? Leave your questions or thoughts in the comments section below! 🔔 Don't forget to LIKE, SHARE, and SUBSCRIBE for more expert legal advice and insights! #JustLegal #UAEInheritanceLaw #UAEWills #EstatePlanning #DubaiCourts #AbuDhabiJudicialDepartment #DIFCCourts #GuardianshipUAE #AssetProtection #UAEExpats #PropertyDubai #DubaiLaw Firm