How long does it take to open an inheritance file in the UAE courts?

Expect two stages, and the first is usually faster than people fear. Stage one is the heirship determination — the court document that records who the legal heirs are. It requires the death certificate, identity documents and supporting witnesses, and for a straightforward family it is typically issued relatively quickly. Stage two is the inheritance file itself: inventorying the assets, settling any debts, and distributing the shares. How long this takes depends almost entirely on the estate — a simple estate with local bank accounts can conclude within months, while estates with property, business interests or disagreement between heirs run longer. The bank freeze you have encountered is standard: accounts stay blocked until the court orders release, so the sooner the heirship determination is obtained, the sooner everything else can move. Heirs do not all need to be in the UAE. Anyone abroad can sign a power of attorney before a UAE embassy, attested for use here, allowing a representative to act for them. Foreign documents such as marriage or birth certificates will need attestation and legal translation. A lawyer holding powers of attorney from the heirs can usually run the entire process without anyone travelling.