Wills and Estate Planning

At Mariam Bint Ahmed Advocates and Legal Consultations L.L.C., we specialize in Wills and Estate Planning, helping individuals and families navigate the complex process of planning for the distribution of their assets and ensuring their legacy is preserved. Our team of experienced lawyers offers tailored legal advice and support to ensure that your wishes are honored after your passing, providing peace of mind for both you and your loved ones.

What is Wills and Estate Planning?

Wills and estate planning involve creating legal documents and structures to manage and distribute your assets after death, while also addressing any potential tax implications. A well-drafted will ensures that your property and assets go to the people or causes you choose, while estate planning includes strategies for managing your assets during your lifetime and after death.

Estate planning is not just for the wealthy. It is important for everyone to have a clear plan in place, regardless of the size of their estate, to ensure that their wishes are honored and their loved ones are taken care of.

Our Services in Wills and Estate Planning

We offer comprehensive Wills and Estate Planning services to individuals, families, and businesses to ensure that your affairs are managed properly. Our services include:

Will Drafting and Registration

• Creating a Valid Will: Our team assists clients in drafting a legally sound will that reflects their wishes. We ensure the will complies with all UAE legal requirements, avoiding any ambiguities that could lead to disputes or complications after death.
• Will Registration: We guide clients through the process of registering their will with the relevant authorities in the UAE to provide further assurance of its validity.

Estate Administration

• Asset Distribution: We help executors understand their duties in administering the estate. This includes overseeing the distribution of assets according to the terms of the will, resolving any debts or liabilities, and ensuring that beneficiaries receive their inheritance.
• Executor Appointment: We help clients choose an executor who will manage their estate in accordance with their wishes, ensuring that the person is capable of fulfilling this responsibility.

Trusts and Asset Protection

• Creating Trusts: For those seeking to protect assets or minimize tax liabilities, we help establish trusts that can hold assets on behalf of beneficiaries, ensuring that assets are managed and distributed in accordance with the creator’s intentions.
• Charitable Giving: We assist clients who wish to make charitable donations through their estate, ensuring that such gifts are clearly outlined in their will and are properly managed.

Guardianship Planning

• Minor Children and Dependents: For individuals with minor children or dependents, we provide legal assistance in appointing guardians who will be responsible for their care and well-being should the parent or guardian pass away.
• Special Needs Planning: We offer specialized advice to families with members who have special needs, ensuring that their care and financial security are considered in the estate plan.

Estate Taxes and Duties

• Tax Planning: Our team offers advice on the most tax-efficient way to structure your estate, minimizing tax liabilities for your beneficiaries and helping them keep more of the inheritance.
• Succession Planning: We assist with succession planning to ensure smooth transitions of business ownership or family-held assets, including addressing any complexities that arise from multi-generational wealth transfer.

Dispute Resolution

• Will Disputes: In cases where there are disagreements over the terms of a will, we provide expert legal assistance to resolve conflicts, whether through negotiation, mediation, or litigation.
• Inheritance Disputes: We help resolve disputes between beneficiaries or heirs over the rightful distribution of assets, guiding clients through the legal procedures involved in such cases.

Why is Wills and Estate Planning Important?

Estate planning is vital for several reasons:

1. Ensures Your Wishes Are Followed: A will ensures that your assets are distributed according to your wishes. Without a will, your estate will be subject to default rules, which may not align with your preferences.
2. Minimizes Family Disputes: Clear and detailed estate planning helps reduce the potential for conflict among family members by ensuring that everyone understands their role and entitlement.
3. Protects Loved Ones: Estate planning, including appointing guardians for children or dependents, ensures that your loved ones are cared for and provided for in your absence.
4. Tax Efficiency: Well-structured estate planning can minimize inheritance tax liabilities, helping preserve wealth for your heirs.
5. Business Succession: For those who own businesses, estate planning ensures the smooth transfer of business ownership, which can be crucial for the ongoing success of the business after your passing.
6. Peace of Mind: Knowing that your affairs are in order and your loved ones are provided for gives you peace of mind, reducing stress for you and your family during difficult times.

Wills and Estate Planning in the UAE

In the UAE, there are specific regulations governing wills and estate planning, especially in relation to non-Muslim expatriates and citizens. The UAE Personal Status Law governs inheritance matters for Muslim residents, while non-Muslim expatriates are subject to the laws of their home country unless they have registered a will in the UAE. The UAE has also introduced a system for non-Muslims to create wills that comply with their home country’s inheritance laws.

UAE Will Registration: Non-Muslim residents in the UAE can register their will with the UAE Courts, allowing them to bequeath assets according to their home country’s laws. This is crucial for expatriates who wish to ensure their estate is handled according to their personal preferences rather than UAE’s default inheritance laws.

We assist expatriates in understanding the nuances of both UAE laws and the laws of their home country, providing guidance on how to ensure that their will is valid and enforceable in both jurisdictions.

Why Choose Us for Wills and Estate Planning?

At Mariam Bint Ahmed Advocates and Legal Consultations L.L.C., we are committed to providing expert legal advice and personalized services in wills and estate planning. Our experienced team offers the following advantages:

• Comprehensive Services: We cover every aspect of estate planning, from drafting a valid will to addressing taxes, asset protection, and guardianship.
• Tailored Solutions: We understand that every client’s situation is unique, and we offer personalized advice to help you structure your estate plan according to your needs and wishes.
• Experienced Legal Team: Our team has extensive experience in both domestic and international estate planning, enabling us to handle complex cross-border issues and ensure that your estate is managed in accordance with your wishes.
• Dispute Resolution Expertise: If disputes arise, our skilled dispute resolution team can help resolve conflicts swiftly and effectively, avoiding lengthy and costly litigation.

Contact Us Today

To secure your legacy and ensure your estate is handled according to your wishes, contact Mariam Bint Ahmed Advocates and Legal Consultations L.L.C. today. Our experienced team is ready to guide you through the process of wills and estate planning, offering peace of mind for you and your loved ones.

Call us at: 00971501515909
Email us at: [email protected]
Visit our office: Office RU05, Abu Dhabi Exhibition Center, Al Khaleej Al Arabi St., Abu Dhabi, UAE