UAE Legal Expert Warns of Risks Involved in Transferring Property Ownership Without Proper Legal Safeguards.
Sharjah: A mother’s decision to gift her home to her unmarried daughter in hopes of securing her future took an unexpected turn when the daughter reportedly forced her out of the property, leaving her without a place to live.
The incident was shared by lawyer and legal consultant Aisha Rashid Al Tunaiji during an episode of Sharjah TV’s Qadiya Lil Hiwar, translated into English as “An Issue for Discussion.” The case serves as a reminder of the potential consequences of transferring property to relatives without establishing adequate legal protections.
The woman had several grown-up sons who were married and living independently. She also had a younger, unmarried daughter with whom she shared a particularly close relationship.
Concerned about her daughter’s long-term financial stability and wanting to ensure she would always have a secure place to live, the mother decided to register her home entirely in her daughter’s name.
However, after the ownership transfer was finalised, the daughter reportedly asked her mother to leave the property, transforming what began as a gesture of parental care into a painful family conflict.
Sons decline to help their mother
Following her eviction, the mother approached her sons for assistance, hoping they would step in and help her return to the house.
However, her sons reportedly refused to get involved, arguing that she had voluntarily transferred the property to their sister and was now responsible for the consequences of that decision.
According to the account presented on the television programme, the mother found herself in a difficult situation because the property had already been legally registered under her daughter’s name, making her the sole owner.
The incident demonstrates how transferring ownership of valuable assets without appropriate safeguards can leave parents exposed to unexpected financial and housing difficulties, even when the decision is motivated by love and concern for their children.
Why legal protection matters when gifting property
Al Tunaiji stressed the importance of carefully considering the legal consequences before parents transfer ownership of their homes or other valuable assets to their children.
Such transfers are often made with good intentions, whether to support children financially, provide long-term stability or ensure they have a secure future.
However, parents who give away property without establishing legally enforceable protections may lose control over assets they still rely on for accommodation and financial security.
The case highlights why obtaining professional legal guidance is essential before finalising any property transfer, especially when parents expect to continue residing in the home after gifting it.
Depending on the applicable laws and individual circumstances, possible safeguards may include legally documented rights allowing parents to remain in the property or specific conditions attached to the ownership transfer.
Any such arrangements must be carefully prepared and legally enforceable before the property changes hands.
The broader message from the case is clear: transferring property out of love does not automatically protect the person making the gift.
Parents planning to transfer homes, land or other substantial assets to their children should fully understand the legal implications, explore available protective measures and ensure their own housing and financial needs remain secure before giving up ownership.
