Who inherits if a non-Muslim dies without a will in the UAE?

If a non-Muslim dies in the UAE without a registered will, the court applies default succession rules rather than the person's wishes — which can lead to outcomes the family did not intend and delays in releasing assets such as bank accounts and property. The UAE's civil personal status framework covers non-Muslims, but intestacy makes the process slower and less predictable. Registering a will through the DIFC Courts Wills Service or the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department lets you name beneficiaries, appoint executors, and provide for guardianship of children. Confirm how the default rules apply to your assets through official sources or a lawyer. Full step-by-step guide: Non-Muslim wills in Dubai. You can engage a UAE estate-planning professional via LEXAI to prepare and register a will.