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Legal Framework
What Is Federal Decree-Law No. 41 of 2022 and Why It Matters
UAE Will Legal Team May 19, 2026· ~2.5 min read
In 2023 the UAE introduced a landmark change to how non-Muslim estates are handled. Federal Decree-Law No. 41 of 2022 reshaped the default rules and gave expat families a clearer framework than ever before.
In 2023 the UAE introduced a landmark change to how non-Muslim estates are handled. Federal Decree-Law No. 41 of 2022 reshaped the default rules and gave expat families a clearer framework than ever before.
What the law does
Effective 1 February 2023 across all seven emirates, the law codifies a civil framework for non-Muslim personal-status matters, including succession and guardianship. It operates alongside, not within, the Personal Status Law that governs Muslim matters.
Crucially, where there is no registered will or proof of home-country law, the Act itself supplies a statutory default distribution rather than automatically defaulting to Sharia.
The default distribution
Under the default rules, half the estate may pass to a surviving spouse, with the remainder divided among children. While this is a meaningful safety net, it may still not match your personal wishes or your home country's expectations.
Why you should still register a will
To apply your home-country succession law cleanly, and to keep full control over distribution and guardianship, the reliable path remains registering a will through DIFC, ADJD, or Dubai Courts. The law is a backstop, not a substitute for planning.