Dubai: Can a foreigner register a will in his home country for property in the UAE?

In the UAE, a non-Muslim can register a will of their choice. According to an answer to a question posed to a Dubai resident who owns investments and real estate in the UAE, a separate will must be created.

In the UAE, non-Muslims can register a will of their choice and it can include executors and/or heirs of investments, real estate, bank accounts and other assets, as well as passwords to bank accounts, email and social media.

On the death of the person who made the will, however, the beneficiaries or executors must have the original will certified and legalized by the relevant local authorities and the UAE embassy or consulate in the country of residence''deceased.

Thereafter, in the UAE, the legalized original will must be certified by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, and finally certified by the UAE Ministry of Justice after undergoing legal translation.

The heirs or executors of the deceased must then open an inheritance case in the personal status court that has jurisdiction in the UAE regarding the distribution of the estate based on the contents of the will.

The personal status court can then distribute the property in the UAE to the heirs named in the will. It is also possible to register a separate will in Dubai for property located in the UAE.

In the UAE, a non-Muslim can also register a will under the''by the provisions of the Rules on Wills under the jurisdiction of the DIFC.