What happens to a non-Muslim's UAE bank accounts and assets on death?

When a non-Muslim passes away in the UAE, their local assets — including bank accounts, property and investments — generally cannot simply be transferred to the family automatically; the estate must be administered through the proper legal process, and accounts may be frozen until that is resolved. If the deceased registered a will through the DIFC Courts Wills Service or the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department, the named executor can apply to the relevant court for a grant to collect and distribute the assets according to the will, which is usually faster and more predictable. Without a will, default succession rules apply and the process can be slower and may not match the deceased's wishes. This is why registering a UAE will and keeping an up-to-date record of assets is widely recommended for non-Muslim residents. Because the exact administration steps, document requirements and any timelines are set by the courts and banks and can change, confirm the current process through official sources. To put protections in place before they are needed, you can engage a UAE estate-planning professional through LEXAI to prepare and register a will.