What happens to a power of attorney when the principal dies in the UAE?

In the UAE, a power of attorney (POA) generally ends automatically when the principal (the person who granted it) dies. The authority you held as an agent does not survive the principal's death, so you can no longer use the POA to deal with the deceased's bank accounts, property, or other assets. After death, the deceased's assets fall to be dealt with through inheritance and succession processes instead, which for Muslims follow the personal status (Sharia) rules and for non-Muslims may follow a registered will or other applicable rules, and a legal heir or succession certificate from the court is usually needed before assets can be released or transferred. Continuing to act on a POA after the principal has died can expose the agent to legal consequences, so once you are aware of the death you should stop using it and inform any institutions that relied on it. The same general principle applies if the principal loses legal capacity. If you are unsure how to deal with the deceased's assets, you can compare verified UAE legal professionals on LEXAI experienced in succession and estate matters.