Can I use a Power of Attorney instead of a will, and how do the two work together in the UAE?

No. A Power of Attorney (POA) authorises someone to act on your behalf while you are alive. It expires automatically the moment you pass away and has no authority over your estate after death. A will is the document that governs everything after death — who inherits, who manages the estate, and who cares for minor children. The two serve entirely different purposes and neither can replace the other.

For Muslims:

A POA cannot override or expand Sharia inheritance rules in any way. Fixed shares remain governed by law regardless of any POA in place. A Muslim may register a will to direct up to one-third of their estate freely, but no POA can alter the remaining two-thirds. Where a POA becomes useful is during probate — if your will is registered with the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department (ADJD), you can issue a POA to a trusted representative to manage the Arabic-language probate process on your family's behalf.

For Non-Muslims:

Without a registered will, a POA holder has no authority to step in after your death — UAE civil law applies automatically and distributes your estate under the statutory formula regardless of any POA you have granted. A registered will is the only way to guarantee your assets go where you intend. A POA issued to handle probate proceedings at ADJD or Dubai Courts can still help your family navigate the process practically, but it works alongside a will, never instead of one.