Money in a deceased person's UAE bank account belongs to their estate, so heirs normally need a court document before the bank will release it. Under Article 5 of Federal Decree-Law No. 41 of 2024 on the Personal Status Law, the estates judge confirms the death, identifies the heirs and distributes the estate. Non-Muslim estates go through civil routes: the Dubai Courts Inheritance Court, the Abu Dhabi Civil Family Court or, for DIFC-registered wills, DIFC Courts probate. Ask the bank in writing which document it needs.
Who this guide is for
This guide is for spouses, children and other relatives dealing with a death in the family, including deaths abroad of UAE residents. It explains the official routes in plain terms and gives a checklist. It does not replace advice on a particular estate. For how a non-Muslim estate is shared when there is no will, see non-Muslim inheritance without a will.
Why the money is held back
No single official rule says that every bank must freeze an account on death. What the law does say is that the estate is dealt with by a court. Under Article 5 of the 2024 Personal Status Law, the estates judge can issue a judgment proving the death, listing the heirs, inventorying and settling the estate, appointing a guardian for minors and an estate executor, and taking any step needed to protect the estate. Under Article 3(4), this is the court where the person last lived or worked in the UAE, or, if there is none, the court where an estate asset is located.
For non-Muslims under the federal civil law, Cabinet Resolution No. 122 of 2023 (Article 25) says funeral costs, administration costs, executor and administrator fees and the estate's debts are paid before anything is distributed. This is why a bank usually waits for a court document rather than paying a relative directly.
Which document releases the funds?
| Situation | Where to go | Document to ask for |
|---|---|---|
| Muslim, Abu Dhabi | Abu Dhabi Judicial Department notary services | A notice of succession (service ADJD-0062). The July 2023 service manual lists AED 100 and 2 working days, online with a remote appointment where one heir attends with two witnesses. |
| Muslim, Dubai | Dubai Courts (Inheritance Court for estate files) | A determination of heirs (legal notification), then an estate file if the estate needs to be listed and distributed. Ask Dubai Courts which service issues each. |
| Non-Muslim, Dubai | Dubai Courts Inheritance Court | A court decision in the estate file. Older Dubai Courts pages placed non-Muslim estates with the Personal Status Court, so confirm the current route with Dubai Courts. |
| Non-Muslim, Abu Dhabi | Abu Dhabi Civil Family Court | A court order on the "Inheritance Application for Expats", distributing the estate or appointing an administrator. |
| Will registered with the DIFC Courts | DIFC Courts Wills and Probate Registry | A grant of probate to the executor, which is then taken to Dubai Courts for enforcement against the assets. |
| Other emirates | The competent federal or local court | Confirm with the court. The Ministry of Justice can be reached on 800 333 333. |
Fees and document lists change. Check the current service page, or call the court, on the day you apply. As of September 2026, the fees above are the latest official figures we could find, not a guarantee.
What about joint accounts?
We could not find an official UAE rule that says what happens to a joint account when one holder dies. The answer usually depends on the account terms you signed with the bank. Ask the bank for the account mandate and its written policy, and keep copies. Do not assume the surviving holder can keep using the account.
What if the death happened abroad?
A foreign death certificate must usually be attested before a UAE court or bank will accept it. The Dubai Courts service pages ask for documents issued outside the UAE to be certified by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the issuing country, the UAE embassy there, and the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with a legal Arabic translation approved by the UAE Ministry of Justice. The Abu Dhabi Judicial Department asks for foreign documents to be attested by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and translated by a licensed translator. The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs handles documents issued abroad through UAE missions in that country.
What if nobody claims the account?
The Central Bank's Dormant Accounts and Unclaimed Funds Regulation aims to let customers or their legal heirs reclaim dormant balances. A legal heir can approach the bank, personally or through a legal representative, with documents proving their identity and entitlement. The regulation says the bank should settle the claim within one month unless there are valid reasons for delay. If a bank does not respond properly, see complaining about a bank through Sanadak.
Step by step
- Get the death certificate. Order several certified copies.
- Tell the bank in writing. Ask which document it needs to release funds and how it treats joint accounts.
- Check for a will. Ask the DIFC Courts Wills Registry, the Abu Dhabi civil wills section and the family.
- Identify the route. Use the table above, based on religion, emirate and whether a will exists.
- Gather family documents. Collect marriage and birth certificates and every heir's ID.
- Apply for the court document. File the notice of succession, estate file or probate application.
- Arrange powers of attorney. Heirs abroad or unable to attend may need to authorise one person.
- Present the court document. Give it to each bank, together with the heirs' IDs.
- Keep a log. Record every call, letter and reference number.
Documents checklist
- Death certificate, attested and legally translated if issued abroad
- Passport, Emirates ID and residence details of the person who died
- Marriage certificate and children's birth certificates
- IDs and passports of all heirs
- Any will and its registration details
- A list of bank accounts, cards, loans and safe deposit boxes
- Recent statements, if the family has them
- Powers of attorney for heirs who cannot attend
- Letters or emails exchanged with each bank
The evidence checklist builder can help you keep these in one index.
Common mistakes
- Using the deceased's card or online banking. Stop using them and tell the bank instead.
- Assuming a joint account passes automatically. Check the account terms in writing.
- Filing in the wrong forum. DIFC Courts probate is for DIFC-registered wills, not every estate.
- Bringing an unattested foreign certificate. Courts and banks usually reject it.
- Paying debts personally without advice. Estate debts are settled from the estate in a set order.
- Forgetting smaller assets. Include end-of-service dues, insurance and deposits.
When to speak to a licensed lawyer
Speak to a licensed lawyer if heirs disagree, if there are minor children or heirs abroad, if the estate has debts or a business, or if a bank refuses a court document. Advice is also sensible where assets sit in several emirates or countries. The free case check can help you set out the facts first, and CaseDaleel can introduce an independent licensed professional only if you choose.
Frequently asked questions
Do UAE banks freeze accounts when the holder dies?
No single official rule requires it, but the money belongs to the estate and banks normally release it only against a court document naming the heirs or an executor.
What is a notice of succession?
It is a court document confirming the death and naming the legal heirs; in Abu Dhabi, Muslims can apply for one through the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department's notary services.
Can the family use the money for rent or school fees while waiting?
There is no automatic right to draw on the account, so ask the bank and the court handling the estate what is possible; the estates judge can take steps to protect the estate.
What happens to a joint account?
We could not find an official UAE rule on this, so ask the bank for the account terms and its written policy.
We have a DIFC Courts will. Where do we go?
The executor applies to the DIFC Courts for a grant of probate, which is then taken to Dubai Courts for enforcement.
The death happened abroad. Will a foreign certificate work?
Usually only after attestation in the issuing country and by the UAE authorities, with a legal Arabic translation.
What if the account became dormant?
Legal heirs can still claim, and the Central Bank's regulation says banks should settle claims within one month unless there are valid reasons for delay.
Official sources
- UAE Legislation — Federal Decree-Law No. 41 of 2024 on the Personal Status Law
- Abu Dhabi Judicial Department — Notarisation services guidance manual, July 2023 (PDF)
- Dubai Courts — Inheritance Court
- Central Bank of the UAE — Dormant Accounts and Unclaimed Funds Regulation
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs — Attestation of official documents
General information, not legal advice. CaseDaleel is not a law firm.