Does Sharia inheritance apply to non-Muslim expats in the UAE?

Not automatically. The UAE has a dedicated civil personal status framework for non-Muslims (the Federal Decree-Law on Civil Personal Status), which provides civil rules for matters including inheritance for non-Muslim residents. Under this framework, a non-Muslim can generally have their estate dealt with under civil principles rather than faraid, and a properly registered will is strongly recommended to direct how assets are distributed. Without a valid will, default rules may apply, and the outcome can differ from what the deceased intended. Non-Muslims in the UAE often register wills through dedicated channels such as the relevant courts or recognised wills registries to ensure their wishes over UAE assets and guardianship of children are respected. Because the framework is relatively recent and procedures vary by emirate, confirm the current options with the competent court or a specialist. You can compare verified UAE legal professionals on LEXAI to set up a will that fits your situation.