How are heirs determined for a non-Muslim who dies in the UAE?

For a non-Muslim who dies in the UAE, the law allows for inheritance to be dealt with differently from the default Sharia rules that apply to Muslims. The UAE has introduced provisions allowing non-Muslims to have their estate governed by a registered will, and in the absence of a will certain civil rules and, in some cases, the law of the deceased's home country may apply. Non-Muslims can register wills through dedicated channels such as the DIFC Courts Wills Service (for assets it covers) or applicable onshore mechanisms, which let them specify their chosen heirs and how UAE assets should be distributed. Without a valid registered will, the position can be less certain and may default to processes that do not match the deceased's wishes, which is why many non-Muslim residents register a will in advance. Because the framework has evolved and the right route depends on the assets, nationality, and where they are located, you should confirm the current rules for your situation. To plan ahead or handle an estate, you can compare verified UAE legal professionals on LEXAI experienced in non-Muslim inheritance.