New UAE Civil Law 2026: What Happens to Heirless Expat Assets?
Under the landmark Federal Decree-Law No. 51 of 2024, which came into full effect on 1 January 2026, the United Arab Emirates has overhauled its Civil Law. For the expatriate community, the most significant change is the introduction of a formal "Waqf" rule for unclaimed estates. If an expatriate passes away in the UAE without a valid will and leaves no identifiable legal heirs, their UAE-based financial assets and property are no longer held in a permanent freeze. Instead, they are now legally designated as a charitable endowment (Waqf). The New Legal Framework: Decree-Law No. 51 of 2024 The UAE Civil Law...
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