The inheritance law in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is one of the most precise and just legal systems, as it is based on Islamic Sharia, which dictates the division of inheritance according to the teachings of the Quran and the Sunnah. This system aims to ensure the fair distribution of a deceased person's wealth among heirs, taking into account the degree of kinship and the legal rights of each individual.
Basics of Inheritance Law:
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Legal Heirs: Heirs include sons, daughters, father, mother, husband, wife, brothers, and sisters, as well as other relatives based on their degree of kinship.
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Fixed Shares: Sharia specifies fixed shares for each heir. For example, a male heir typically receives twice the share of a female heir in some cases, and a wife is entitled to one-eighth of the estate if the deceased has children.
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Inheritance by Ta’sib: In the absence of direct heirs, the estate is distributed to more distant relatives according to the rules of Ta’sib.
The Role of Courts:
Saudi courts play a key role in implementing inheritance law by dividing the estate according to Sharia provisions after verifying the validity of documents and identifying legal heirs. Courts are also resorted to in case of disputes among heirs.