Residents of the UAE aged 35 to 44 are increasingly seeking assistance with drafting wills. This is due to the purchase of real estate, having children, and growing financial obligations prompting younger expat families to start planning their assets earlier.
Although the highest number of requests still comes from residents aged 45–54, the most significant growth over the past year has been observed among the 35–44 age group, according to a new consumer trends report from Just Wills Legal Consultants.
The firm receives approximately 100–150 individual inquiries from clients monthly, of which 30–40 percent eventually turn into completed wills. This conversion rate has increased by 20% compared to the previous twelve-month period.
This shift reflects a change in perception among residents: they are beginning to view inheritance planning as an integral part of managing their family and financial affairs, rather than a task to be postponed until old age.
Samir Marria, Managing Director of Just Wills Legal Consultants, noted that people are increasingly viewing inheritance planning as a practical component of building a life in the UAE. He added that for many expat families, the UAE is no longer a temporary stage; it is a place where they own homes, hold savings, raise children, and develop businesses.
Among the most active groups seeking consultation remain parents and property owners. Approximately 60% of clients have children, and a similar proportion owns property in the UAE. About half of respondents cite guardianship as one of the main reasons for preparing a will.
For families with children, inheritance planning goes beyond simply naming heirs to assets or savings. Parents also need to consider issues of guardianship and how assets designated for children will be managed.
Samara Iqbal, Founder and Managing Partner of Aramas International Lawyers, emphasized that often the trigger for starting planning is life changes, not age. She pointed out that purchasing real estate in the UAE, having children, getting married, starting a business, or accumulating significant local assets can serve as catalysts.
According to her, parenthood can shift the focus of discussion from inheritance to issues of guardianship, financial management, and continuity of care for children, especially for expat families whose relatives and assets may be located in different countries.
This trend also indicates the increasing complexity of the financial footprint of UAE residents. Beyond real estate and bank accounts, inheritance planning discussions can cover investments, business interests, digital assets, and assets in other jurisdictions.
For expats, owning assets or having family ties in multiple jurisdictions complicates the succession planning process. A resident may own a business and property in the UAE while simultaneously holding bank accounts, investments, or other assets in their country of origin. Furthermore, families may have children or beneficiaries living abroad.
Iqbal warned against a common misconception: one cannot automatically assume that a will drafted in a person's country of origin will govern their assets in the UAE. She clarified that the appropriate structure depends on numerous factors, including the individual's circumstances, the nature and location of their assets, and the applicable legal framework.
She also cautioned against assuming that assets will automatically pass to a spouse or children as the family expects if the person dies without proper arrangements. Families with international ties need to coordinate wills across different jurisdictions so that they do not inadvertently cancel or contradict each other.
Inheritance planning should be reviewed after major life events such as marriage, divorce, birth of a child, purchase or sale of property, starting a business, or moving to another country.
The growing interest in inheritance planning extends to entrepreneurs and shareholders, especially as business becomes an increasingly important part of family capital.
Salam Pappinisser, CEO of YAB Legal Services L.L.C, stated that business owners should consider not only who will inherit ownership stakes but also how the company will continue to operate. A business succession plan can include shareholder agreements, company articles of association, transfer and buyback provisions, organizational management aspects, and procedures for settling shareholder debts or loans.
Pappinisser stressed that the key change is cultural, not just legal. He noted that families are increasingly viewing a will as part of responsible home and financial management, alongside life insurance, education planning, shareholder agreements, and long-term savings.
He also advised families to distinguish between ownership and control, as an heir may have a right to an asset but may not be able to immediately access or manage it while probate procedures are underway. For households dependent on a business, this can have practical implications for salaries, tuition payments, rent, loan repayments, and other expenses.
For Muslim families, succession planning may also involve ensuring that wealth transfer mechanisms comply with Sharia principles. Pooja Bhattiya, a lawyer at Ma’an Legacy & Legal Consultancy, reported that some family businesses face succession challenges due to insufficient liquidity for wealth distribution or settling claims without disrupting core business operations.
She pointed to Takaful structures compliant with Sharia as one mechanism that can provide liquidity during succession, potentially helping families address issues of inheritance equality, buyouts, or other financial needs while ownership and business management issues are resolved.
Bhattiya also noted that the demand for Sharia-compliant wealth planning is becoming increasingly complex: families are seeking solutions that cover not only protection but also inheritance equality, business continuity, and intergenerational capital transfer.
Despite increased awareness, advisors note that misconceptions about wills and inheritance continue to influence residents' approach to estate planning. Some expats believe their spouse will automatically receive all assets, while others think joint ownership or a foreign will alone will resolve inheritance matters in the UAE.
The complexity increases when families have assets under different ownership structures or in different jurisdictions. Pappinisser recommended that residents start by creating a complete picture of their assets, including real estate in the UAE and abroad, bank and investment accounts, business interests, insurance, end-of-service benefits, vehicles, digital assets, and outstanding liabilities.
For families with international ties, Bhattiya emphasized the particular importance of cross-border planning, as different countries may apply different inheritance rules. In her words, 'cross-border planning keeps the family structure intact instead of allowing it to fragment into contradictory outcomes from country to country.'
As more expats settle in the UAE for the long term, inheritance planning is increasingly initiated by everyday milestones—buying a home, having children, starting a business, or accumulating wealth—rather than solely by age.
