30th April 2015 saw the launch of the DIFC’s (Dubai International Financial Centre’s) Wills & Probate Registry (“the WPR”). This landmark step taken by the leadership of Dubai gives the right to both resident and non-resident non-Muslims with assets in the Emirate of Dubai to devolve their Dubai estate free from the application of Islamic Sharia’ah inheritance principles. A non-Muslim is therefore given the freedom to devolve their Dubai assets freely. In essence the WPR has created an option for non-Muslims to avoid forced heirship principles under Sharia’ah.
The WPR also enables Dubai resident non-Muslims to draw up specific guardianship provisions appointing interim guardians for their children under the age of 21, in the event that they predecease their children.
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