Dubai Wills in Hungarian, with Legal Assistance

So your family won’t have to fight before a foreign court to claim what is rightfully theirs

When acquiring a property, bank account or company shares in Dubai, inheritance is rarely the first thing that comes to mind. Yet, if the owner passes away, their family must also take steps in the UAE to transfer the assets.

Family members are required to notify the bank, and once the bank becomes aware of the account holder’s death, the account is frozen. In the absence of a will, the local court rules of the emirate where the assets are located may apply. Heirs may need to turn to a local court, engage a local lawyer and, in many cases, travel to the UAE several times, with no certainty as to how long the process will take. The exact procedure and applicable rules of inheritance in each case must be assessed in light of the individual circumstances. A will is not about death. It is about ensuring that you can decide the future of your family and the wealth you have built.

What Is a DIFC Will?

The DIFC (Dubai International Financial Centre) provides non-Muslims, including Christian expatriates, with the opportunity to make a will governing their assets in the UAE. You do not need to reside in the UAE or hold a UAE residence visa to do so. Registration can also be completed remotely via video conference. The testator must be at least 18 years old and meet the additional eligibility requirements set by the DIFC.

The appropriate type of will depends on the assets concerned. A Property Will covers real estate, while a Business Owners Will covers company shares and ownership interests. A single will can cover up to five properties.

It is important to note that the DIFC Wills Service handles registration but does not provide personalised legal advice. A registered will provides the basis for the subsequent proceedings, but the assets are not automatically transferred to the heirs upon registration. After the testator’s death, the appointed executor must initiate the probate process, and assets located outside the DIFC may also require the involvement of the Dubai Courts.

How Can I Assist You?

• We identify the assets you hold in the UAE and other countries, how they are registered and owned, and whether they are subject to mortgages, loans or other liabilities.
• We discuss who you wish to leave your assets to, in what proportions, and whom you would like to appoint as executor.
• We select the appropriate type of will and draft its contents.
• I organise and guide you through the DIFC registration process, whether in person or online.
• We coordinate your Dubai will with any wills covering assets held in other countries, such as Hungary, to ensure that the documents do not conflict with or inadvertently revoke one another.
• We also consider the practical steps required after death, including how and within what timeframe real estate, company shares and bank accounts can be transferred into the heirs’ names.

Why Is a Will Template Not Enough?

A poorly drafted will can create a false sense of security while failing to achieve the intended legal effect. It is not enough to simply list who should inherit what. You must also determine who will administer your estate, who will care for your minor children, how outstanding loans and other liabilities will be handled, and what should happen to your property, bank accounts and company shares. Beneficiaries must be identified precisely, and the document must comply with all applicable formal, signature and registration requirements.

Fees

Fees are determined on an individual basis and consist of two components: the DIFC registration fee, in accordance with the official DIFC fee schedule, and the legal fee, which is agreed upon in advance following a consultation.

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