New Delhi, April 7 -- I am a non-Muslim Indian citizen residing in Dubai. Given the current geopolitical uncertainties, I would like to secure my estate through a Will. What happens if I don't have one, what is the process to create one, and what cross-border issues should I consider?

The UAE has, in recent years, moved to bring much-needed clarity to how expatriate estates are handled. Federal Decree-Law No. 51 of 2024 and Personal Status Law No. 41 of 2024 have reshaped the succession landscape, particularly for non-Muslim residents.

If a non-Muslim expatriate dies intestate but leaves behind family, the law now provides a straightforward default: the spouse receives 50% of the estate, with the balance divided equally among children, ...