We assist individuals and families in planning for the orderly transfer of assets and protection of beneficiaries in the UAE. Our services focus on clarity, legal certainty, and alignment with personal wishes within the UAE’s succession framework.
Our Wills, Estate & Succession Planning practice provides clients with certainty over the management and distribution of their assets in the UAE. We advise on drafting wills for non-Muslims, estate planning, guardianship arrangements, and succession considerations. By structuring clear and compliant legal documents, we help ensure that personal wishes are respected, beneficiaries are protected, and future disputes are minimized. Our approach combines legal precision with thoughtful planning to safeguard family interests over the long term.
Attorneys in Charge
Founding Partner
Stanislav Gordeev
Founding Partner and Managing Partner of GGLC with over 25 years of legal practice in the UAE. Advises corporations, investors, and private clients on complex commercial, real estate, financial, and employment matters, delivering strategic and results-driven legal counsel.
FAQs
Is a foreign will recognized in the UAE?
In certain circumstances, yes — but recognition is not automatic. A foreign will may be considered by UAE authorities if it meets specific legal and procedural requirements, including proper authentication, attestation, and translation where required. Even then, enforcement may involve additional court processes.
Registering a UAE compliant will is often a more effective way to ensure clarity, efficiency, and enforceability for assets and family matters within the UAE. Professional legal guidance helps determine whether an existing foreign will is sufficient or whether a local will is advisable.
What happens if someone dies in the UAE without a will?
If a person passes away in the UAE without a valid will, their estate is generally administered in accordance with applicable UAE succession rules, which may involve local legal procedures and court oversight. This can result in delays, restrictions on asset access, and outcomes that differ from what the deceased may have intended.
For families, this may also affect guardianship arrangements for minor children and the distribution of assets. Proper estate planning helps reduce uncertainty, administrative complexity, and potential disputes among heirs.
Is it necessary for non-Muslims to have a will in the UAE?
While it is not legally mandatory, it is strongly recommended for non-Muslims residing in or owning assets in the UAE to have a locally recognized will. A properly drafted and registered will allows individuals to clearly set out how their assets should be distributed and who should be appointed as guardians for minor children.
Without a UAE-recognized will, succession matters may be determined in accordance with applicable local laws, which may not reflect the individual’s personal wishes. Having a will provides clarity, certainty, and protection for beneficiaries during what is often a difficult time.While it is not legally mandatory, it is strongly recommended for non-Muslims residing in or owning assets in the UAE to have a locally recognized will. A properly drafted and registered will allows individuals to clearly set out how their assets should be distributed and who should be appointed as guardians for minor children.
Without a UAE recognized will, succession matters may be determined in accordance with applicable local laws, which may not reflect the individual’s personal wishes. Having a will provides clarity, certainty, and protection for beneficiaries during what is often a difficult time.
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