Who gets what after your death in the UAE? The truth about salary, gratuity and bank accounts

We work hard all our lives, earning a salary, saving for the future, and building a safety net for our loved ones. But one question most people avoid asking is: what happens to my money if I’m no longer around?

In the UAE, the answer is both legal and complex. If you pass away without a registered will, your salary, gratuity and even your joint bank accounts could end up being distributed very differently from what you might have intended.

UAE law doesn’t automatically follow your wishes

A common misconception among UAE residents is that their assets will automatically go to their closest loved ones, like a spouse, children or parents. But under UAE law, unless you have a registered will, Sharia-based inheritance rules apply by default.

If you're married with kids, your estate may be divided as per Sharia law. The son gets 36.11 per cent, daughter 18.06 per cent, spouse 12.5 per cent, and father and mother get 16.67 per cent each, following the default formula and not your wishes.

Your estate could also be divided among relatives you didn’t intend as heirs. And a spouse may receive as little as 1/8 of the estate.

For unmarried individuals, your assets may go to distant relatives instead of close friends or chosen beneficiaries.

While UAE courts can apply your home country’s inheritance laws, this is not automatic. Your family must hire a UAE lawyer and go through a formal legal process, often involving time, higher costs and uncertainty.

Bank accounts are frozen – even joint ones

Many do not realise that all UAE bank accounts are frozen upon death, even if they’re joint. The surviving spouse cannot access any funds until the court issues a probate order naming the legal heirs. This can leave families with no access to finances for months or even years.

Gratuity and salary: Not paid to immediate family automatically

Your final salary and gratuity owed by your employer do not automatically go to your next of kin. Like your bank accounts, these amounts become part of your estate and remain blocked until the legal process is complete. Employers are legally required to withhold these funds until a court order is produced.

A registered will gives you control

A registered will is the only way to ensure that your salary, gratuity and bank accounts are passed on to the people you choose.

In the UAE, wills can be registered through two main authorities: the DIFC Wills Service Centre, which is available for non-Muslims, and the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department (ADJD), which allows will registration for non-UAE citizens.

Having a registered will gives you clarity, control and peace of mind knowing your loved ones are protected.

With a will, you can decide exactly who inherits your estate; avoid the application of Sharia law; appoint a trusted executor to handle the process; save your family from costly legal battles; and ensure timely access to your bank accounts.

Leaving it unplanned means leaving it uncertain

Without a will, your family could face frozen accounts during a time of need; delayed salary and gratuity payments; and emotional stress, legal fees, and avoidable conflict

All of the above can be avoided with one clear step: making your will.

"A will is not about preparing for the worst, it’s about making sure your family is protected, guided, and financially secure when they need it the most," explains Muhammad Tariq, Managing Partner at wills and estate planning company Legal Inz.

Take control of what you’ve earned

Legal Inz helps UAE residents draft and register their wills fully remotely. The process is simple, transparent and legally sound.

This can be done from wherever you are in just three simple steps. Book a free consultation with a will expert; draft and register your UAE will remotely; and ensure your salary, gratuity and savings go exactly where you intend.

To learn more, visit www.legalinz.com or speak to a qualified consultant today.