Inheritance Laws in Abu Dhabi

The Federal Decree Law No. 41 of 2022 on Civil Personal Status for Non-Muslims regulates the family affairs of non-Muslim UAE residents including inheritance matters.

In contrast with Islamic rules governing inheritance, this law states that foreign non-Muslim men and women will receive equal shares of inheritance.

If a husband or wife passes away without leaving a will, half the estate will go to the surviving spouse, and the other half will be equally distributed between the children, without any distinction between genders. The new law allows non-Muslims to leave a will leaving their estate to whomever they wish, without being hindered by forced heirship rules.