If your parents have a will, that’s great - it means they’ve already taken an important step toward protecting their wishes and assets. But here’s the thing: what worked for them ten, twenty, or thirty years ago might not work now. Laws change, families change, and sometimes a will that was perfectly fine at the time it was written can cause more problems than it solves today.

As legal consultants in Dubai, we see this more often than you might think. Families come to us confident that “everything is sorted” only to discover that the will no longer lines up with today’s laws, skips over newly acquired assets, or clashes with local inheritance rules. That’s exactly why it’s worth pulling it out for a fresh look and in many cases, rewriting it- before it turns into a problem everyone wishes they’d avoided.

Why old wills fall short

Wills aren’t “one and done.” Life has a way of shifting the plan for how assets should be divided:

• Family changes - New marriages, divorces, or children in the family can make old provisions outdated.
• New assets - Properties, investments, or even foreign holdings that didn’t exist when the will was drafted.
• Changes in the law - In the UAE, inheritance laws have been amended over time, and what was compliant before might now have legal conflicts. For example, under Federal Law No. 15 of 2020, non-Muslim expatriates have clearer options for applying their home country’s laws - but this needs to be specifically set out in the will.

If your parents drafted their will years ago, it’s entirely possible that it no longer covers everything. And unfortunately, the “default” legal process in the absence of a valid will can be slow, costly, and emotionally draining for families.

How UAE law can affect your parents’ will

The UAE’s inheritance rules are unique because they blend local laws with the possibility of applying foreign laws for non-Muslim residents - but only if the will is properly structured. Without that, UAE law may apply by default.

For Muslim citizens, inheritance is subject to the Sharia law, which prescribes a set share for specific relatives. For non-Muslims, Federal Law No. 41 of 2022 (amending previous laws) permits them to choose their country's law, but this must be clearly stated in the will and registered with the proper authorities.

If your parents' will does not conform to these specifications, their wealth may be transferred in an entirely other manner than they wanted. This is one of the most widespread motivations for seeking assistance from Dubai advocates and legal consultant groups once it's too late to revise.

International complications

Let’s say your parents have property in Dubai, a bank account in the UK, and investments in another country. If the will isn’t worded properly, each country’s legal system could end up interpreting it differently. That could mean months (or years) of legal proceedings - not to mention the cost.

When you draft a will in Dubai, especially if you or your parents have cross-border assets, it’s important to think beyond “what’s fair” and consider “what’s enforceable.” This is where a good legal firm in Dubai can make a huge difference.

Signs it’s time to update or redo the will

If your parents’ will falls into one of these categories, it’s probably time to revisit it:

• It was created more than five years ago.
• It doesn’t list all current assets.
• It doesn’t mention which law applies to the estate.
• It names executors or guardians who have since passed away, moved, or are no longer able to act.
• It was written in another country but covers assets in Dubai without being registered locally.

A good rule of thumb is, if you have to stop and explain parts of the will, or if your parents can’t remember exactly what it says, it’s time for a review.

What you can do now

• Locate the will - Sounds obvious, but you’d be surprised how many families don’t actually know where the original document is stored.
• Review it with a legal professional - Don’t rely on your own reading; legal terms can be misleading if you’re not familiar with them.
• Check compliance with current UAE laws - If the will hasn’t been updated in light of recent changes, it may need amending.
• Plan for new assets and future changes - Make the will flexible enough to adapt to future circumstances without constant rewrites.

The point of drafting a will isn’t only to match your current situation- it’s to make sure it still makes sense if life takes a different turn later. That’s why will drafting in Dubai is best done with professionals who know how to future-proof the document.

Why DIY wills can backfire

You might think it’s cheaper and faster to write or update a will yourself. And technically, you can - there’s no law that says it has to be done by a lawyer. But here’s the catch: a small mistake in wording, a missing witness signature, or the wrong jurisdiction clause can make the whole thing unenforceable.

We’ve seen situations where families ended up in court for years over one unclear sentence. When you compare the stress, delays, and costs of that with the one-time expense of getting it done right, the choice is pretty clear.

This is why many people prefer to work with Dubai Advocates or legal services in Dubai that specialize in estate planning. Not because it’s mandatory - but because it’s smart.

Keeping the peace in the family

One of the less talked-about benefits of updating a will is the way it can prevent family disputes. Even in the most loving families, money can bring out tension - especially if people feel the will is unfair or unclear.

A clearly written, legally valid will leaves little room for arguments. It’s not about mistrust; it’s about making sure there’s nothing to fight over when emotions are already running high.

The bottom line

Your parents’ will might have been perfectly fine when they wrote it, but life and laws don’t stand still. If it hasn’t been updated in years, or if it wasn’t written with UAE laws in mind, it could leave your family with more problems than protection.

Checking and updating the will now is far easier than trying to fix things later - and the peace of mind it brings is worth it.

A quick word from us

At Alqada Claims Recovery Services, we've assisted many families review, revise, and protect their legal documents so their intentions are respected and conflicts are prevented. If you need to revise an outdated will, pen a new one, or seek guidance on matters pertaining to these, our team of seasoned experts is at your service to take you through each step.

Don't wait until a dispute arises. Call today and ensure that the future of your loved ones is secured the way you want.