Mirror Wills

Husband and wife, both non-Muslims, are resident in Dubai and own local assets including a villa....

Husband and wife, both non-Muslims, are resident in Dubai and own local assets including a villa, bank accounts and two cars. They wish to ensure that these assets pass to each other in the event of either spouse’s death.

The couple would be advised to put mirror Wills in place. In the UAE, when an individual dies without leaving a Will, it is highly likely that his/her assets based in this jurisdiction shall pass in accordance with Sharia law, which is a system of forced heirship benefiting the natural parents, legal spouse(s) and natural children of the deceased, in fixed shares. As the couple own fairly substantial local assets, they would be advised to consider registering their Wills at the DIFC Wills and Probate Registry.