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How can a will be written for one-third of the estate to be given to non-legal heirs, and what are the steps to have it approved by the court or department?

1 min readAlso available in العربية

For a will to be effective and undisputed, it must be written in clear handwriting, specifying its amount and the legatee precisely. Then, it should be read to witnesses, and their testimony requested. It is commendable for the will to begin with the Basmala (In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful), praise of Allah, and prayers upon the Prophet, followed by the two testimonies (Shahadatayn). Then, it should be attested to ensure its validity and enforceability. It is not a condition for a will to be written or officially documented to be valid, but doing so prevents its repudiation. A will is commendable for one who leaves behind abundant wealth, while for the poor, it is preferable for them to leave their money to their heirs.

Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026

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