On the 24th of January, we were invited to an enlightening evening organized by Ms Lotte Wagner of Liv & Lov and Mr Jens Lund, the President of the Danish Business Council.
The purpose of the evening was to discuss the protection of assets concerning wills, inheritance, and estate planning. I covered the part in respect of the laws of UAE and Lotte dealt with Danish Law. My presentation focused on the recent amendments made to the UAE Personal Status Law, which came into effect through Law no. 41 of 2022.
During the presentation, I had the pleasure of addressing a group of Danish attendees who showed keen interest in learning about the latest developments in the UAE’s legal landscape. My primary emphasis was on the amendment to the Personal Status Law, which has allowed non-Muslims to have their estates distributed between their spouse and children on an equal basis, in case they die without a will.
The new law has brought a significant change that can benefit many non-Muslims residing in the UAE. Previously, the distribution of the estate would have been in accordance with the Sharia law principles. Now, however, non-Muslims can have peace of mind knowing that their assets will be divided equally amongst their immediate family members, even without a written will.
Furthermore, the amendment also removes any differentiation between male and female children in the distribution of the estate. Both sons and daughters will receive an equal share of 50% their parent’s estate, ensuring gender equality and fair treatment of all children.
In conclusion, the evening was a valuable opportunity to discuss the changes made to the UAE’s legal framework and how they can positively impact non-Muslim residents in the country. I was delighted to have been a part of such a productive and informative session, and look forward to participating in similar events in the future.
Article By: Cynthia Trench