The UAE has launched new inheritance laws under Federal Decree-Law No. 51 of 2024 and the Personal Status Law No. 41 of 2024, bringing clarity for expats on what happens to their assets after death. One key change is for expats who pass away without heirs. Instead of frozen funds, their assets will now become a charitable endowment called Waqf. Authorities will oversee this for transparency and community benefit. For non-Muslim expats, the rules of division have become simpler. A spouse gets half the estate, while children share the other half equally, with sons and daughters treated the same. If there are no children, the remaining share goes to parents or siblings. This replaces older, complex Sharia-based rules. Another fresh update lets minors as young as 15 years old seek court permission to manage their own assets, helping young entrepreneurs and heirs take control sooner. Courts can appoint a judicial assistant to support them. However, bank accounts are typically frozen after a death until a court decides the succession. To speed up access to funds, expats are advised to create a formal Will, which acts as a legal shortcut. The UAE Government Media Office calls these laws a step toward modernizing the legal system, making the country a stronger and more predictable place for its global residents.