Global Family Law Specialist Reveals Importance of Wills and Inheritance Planning in the UAE

Samara Iqbal, an international family lawyer and wills and inheritance specialist with over 20 years of experience in international family law and first-hand knowledge of the Dubai and Abu Dhabi courts’ litigation process, leads the team of international lawyers at Aramas.

According to her, preparing the necessary documents for wills, inheritance and guardianship plans is vital because if an expat were to pass away without these in place, their assets or children might be subject to Sharia law in terms of inheritance, which might not be ideal given the wishes of the deceased and their family. This may even lead to disagreements and other negative repercussions if certain assets are not received by those intended for them.  

“We aim to find effective and beneficial legal solutions for our clients while protecting their best interests. It is essential to approach sensitive matters like wills, inheritance and guardianship with empathy and integrity since each person’s situation is unique and careful attention is also needed, especially when children are involved. We always advise starting these conversations early, being open and involving the entire family in the planning. It is ideal to be fair to avoid family disagreements, update wills and inheritance plans regularly and seek advice from experts to figure out tax and other legal elements. Moreover, preparing these documents also provides opportunities for children to learn about managing money and assets, as well as understand important values to pass on and safeguard the family’s legacy,” said Samara Iqbal, international family lawyer, wills and inheritance specialist, and Founder of Aramas International Lawyers.

Wills, inheritance and guardianship law aspects in the UAE have evolved in recent years providing the influx of expatriates more options to consider when faced with legal family issues. The nation has made great strides in simplifying the planning of wills for non-muslim expats, increasing flexibility in child custody and guardianship, modernizing legal frameworks and enhancing the protection of children by revising a variety of family law elements. Moreover, stricter oversight has been implemented by introducing imprisonment and hefty fines for violators.

Aramas International Lawyers specialize in various niches of international family law for expatriate families living in different countries, relocating to or already within the UAE. The firm is aptly placed to advise on family law matters with in-house and international expert knowledge on a variety of topics, including inheritance, wills, guardianship, international and local divorce, child support and post-divorce arrangements, financial claims and disputes, child abduction, enforcement overseas, prenuptial and postnuptial agreements, asset preservation, and more.

Samara and the firm also have a range of notable achievements under their belt. Both are listed in the distinguised 2025 Chambers and Partners UK Legal guide and Samara is even a STEP (The Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners) Arabia practitioner making her ideal for advising on family inheritance and succession planning. Furthermore, the firm is included in the UK’s coveted Spears500 list and has recently been shortlisted for ‘International Law Firm of the Year’ in the LexusNexis 2025 Women in Law Awards.

Additionally, by specializing in Sharia Law and being proficient in Arabic with a thorough understanding of the Abu Dhabi Courts’ operational framework, Aramas International Lawyers also offer regional expertise and pertinent information for family disputes influenced by cultural norms. Overall the firm’s international presence through global connections also enables it to service many expatriate clients in a growing number of countries other than the UAE including the UK, France, Spain, Kuwait, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Pakistan, India, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, and the USA.

For more information visit https://aramaslawexpat.com/