In the UAE, inheritance issues are closely linked to Sharia law and local civil law. This has a direct impact not only on the distribution of property, but also on how families protect their assets during their lifetime. That is why personal safes, including bank and private ones, are becoming a necessity for many residents and expats.
Sharia Inheritance: Fixed Shares and Account Freezes
The miras system establishes a strict distribution of property: The son receives twice as much as the daughter, the widow receives only one-eighth if she has children, and the husband receives half or a quarter, depending on the circumstances. A will can only dispose of one-third of the assets.
After the death of the owner, banks in the UAE block accounts, including joint ones. All assets come under the control of the court, and their transfer to heirs takes weeks or months. Even small debts or fines must be paid off before the distribution begins. This process makes storing cash and jewelry incustom safe an attractive solution.
Non-Muslims and New Rules
Federal Decree-Law No. 41 of 2022 changed the inheritance procedure for non-Muslims. From February 1, 2023, the spouse receives half, and the rest is divided equally among the children, without distinction of gender. But even with these rules, accounts are blocked and access to assets is limited.
Thus, non-Muslims, like Muslims, face delays. This encourages families to place some of their funds and valuables in safe deposit boxes in advance, where trusted persons have access.
Custody and Control of Property
Sharia law applies not only to money and real estate, but also to custody of children. If the father dies, the closest male on the father’s side is appointed guardian, while the mother retains only temporary custody. In the absence of a will, local authorities take over control of assets and children.
This encourages people to create custom safe boxes: safes with biometric access, personal combination locks, and dual controls for spouses. This approach allows you to keep part of the property at the disposal of the family until the end of the court proceedings.
Personal Safes as a Response to Legal Risks
- Account freeze protection: cash and documents in the safe remain accessible.
- Transfer flexibility: trusted persons can gain access regardless of the court’s decision.
- Custody of securities: wills, marriage certificates, and real estate documents are not blocked along with bank assets.
- Conflict minimization: if the head of the family has a safe, some of the disputes are resolved, as there is access to critical funds.
Islamic inheritance law in the UAE is based on the principles of Sharia law: fixed shares, the advantage of male heirs, and the limitation of a will to one third. Non-Muslims have received more flexible regulations since 2023, but asset freezes and court delays remain a common problem. It is this legal specificity that creates a steady demand for personal safes. For families in the Emirates, a safe has become not a luxury, but a protection tool that allows them to maintain financial stability in the most difficult moment.
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