{"id":8450,"date":"2026-10-12T16:19:56","date_gmt":"2026-10-12T13:19:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/how-inheritance-is-divided-saudi-arabia\/"},"modified":"2026-10-12T17:23:55","modified_gmt":"2026-10-12T14:23:55","slug":"how-inheritance-is-divided-saudi-arabia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/en\/how-inheritance-is-divided-saudi-arabia\/","title":{"rendered":"How Inheritance Is Divided in Saudi Arabia, with Worked Examples"},"content":{"rendered":"<style>.usus-tbl{border-collapse:collapse;width:100%;max-width:760px;margin:12px 0 20px;font-size:15px}.usus-tbl th{background:#f4eff9;color:#2A124A;font-weight:700;text-align:right;padding:9px 12px;border-bottom:2px solid #C9A227}.usus-tbl td{padding:9px 12px;border-bottom:1px solid #e5ddec;vertical-align:top}<\/style>\n<div dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\">\n<p>&#8220;How is the inheritance divided?&#8221; is asked in every home after a death. In the Kingdom the rule is the Islamic law of inheritance (fara&#8217;id): each heir has a share fixed by the Quran and Sunnah, and whatever remains goes to the residuary heirs. Here we explain <strong>how inheritance is divided<\/strong> with worked examples for the most common cases, then the legal steps to actually distribute it.<\/p>\n<h2>Before division: what comes out of the estate first?<\/h2>\n<ol>\n<li>The deceased&#8217;s funeral and burial expenses, within reason.<\/li>\n<li>The deceased&#8217;s debts.<\/li>\n<li>Any bequest, up to one third and not to an heir.<\/li>\n<li>The rest is then divided among the heirs.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<figure class=\"usus-ig usus-ig-8450-2\"><img class=\"wp-image-8538\" src=\"https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/usus-8450-2.webp\" width=\"1080\" height=\"1011\" alt=\"Before division: what comes out of the estate first? \u2014 How Inheritance Is Divided in Saudi Arabia, with Worked Examples (Usus Law Firm infographic)\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/usus-8450-2.webp 1080w, https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/usus-8450-2-768x719.webp 768w, https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/usus-8450-2-640x599.webp 640w, https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/usus-8450-2-400x374.webp 400w, https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/usus-8450-2-367x344.webp 367w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1080px) 100vw, 1080px\" \/><\/figure>\n<h2>The most common shares<\/h2>\n<table class=\"usus-tbl\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>Heir<\/th>\n<th>Share<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>Wife<\/td>\n<td>One eighth if the deceased left children or grandchildren through sons; one quarter if not<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Husband<\/td>\n<td>One quarter if the deceased wife left children; one half if not<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Sons and daughters together<\/td>\n<td>The remainder, a son taking twice a daughter&#8217;s share<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>One daughter (no son)<\/td>\n<td>One half<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Two or more daughters (no son)<\/td>\n<td>Two thirds, shared equally<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Mother<\/td>\n<td>One sixth with children or several siblings; otherwise one third<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Father<\/td>\n<td>One sixth with a son; with daughters, one sixth plus the residue<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<figure class=\"usus-ig usus-ig-8450-1\"><img class=\"wp-image-8537\" src=\"https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/usus-8450-1.webp\" width=\"1200\" height=\"1202\" alt=\"The most common shares \u2014 How Inheritance Is Divided in Saudi Arabia, with Worked Examples (Usus Law Firm infographic)\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/usus-8450-1.webp 1200w, https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/usus-8450-1-768x769.webp 768w, https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/usus-8450-1-640x641.webp 640w, https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/usus-8450-1-400x401.webp 400w, https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/usus-8450-1-560x560.webp 560w, https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/usus-8450-1-367x367.webp 367w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/figure>\n<h2>Worked examples<\/h2>\n<p><strong>Example 1:<\/strong> A man dies leaving a wife, two sons and a daughter, with a net estate of SAR 800,000. The wife takes one eighth, SAR 100,000. The remaining SAR 700,000 is divided into five parts (two for each son, one for the daughter): SAR 280,000 to each son and SAR 140,000 to the daughter.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Example 2:<\/strong> A woman dies leaving a husband, one daughter and her father, with an estate of SAR 600,000. The husband takes one quarter, SAR 150,000; the daughter one half, SAR 300,000; the father one sixth, SAR 100,000, plus the remaining SAR 50,000 as residue, so SAR 150,000 in all.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Example 3:<\/strong> A man dies leaving a wife, his mother and two daughters, with an estate of SAR 480,000. The wife takes one eighth, SAR 60,000; the mother one sixth, SAR 80,000; the two daughters two thirds, SAR 320,000 (SAR 160,000 each). The remaining SAR 20,000 is returned to those entitled under the rules of radd.<\/p>\n<p>Work out your own case in a minute with the <a href=\"https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/en\/inheritance-calculator-saudi-arabia\/\">inheritance calculator<\/a>. For the wife specifically, read <a href=\"https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/en\/wife-share-of-inheritance-saudi-arabia\/\">the wife&#8217;s share of inheritance<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><em>These examples are for illustration; cases with siblings, grandparents, an unborn child or a missing person need a precise calculation, and the final division is made by the heirship deed and the division judgment.<\/em><\/p>\n<h2>From division on paper to actual distribution<\/h2>\n<ol>\n<li>Obtain the heirship deed. Read <a href=\"https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/en\/heirship-deed-estate-division-saudi-arabia\/\">heirship and estate division<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li>List the money, properties and accounts. Read <a href=\"https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/en\/estate-inventory-saudi-arabia\/\">estate inventory<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li>Divide by agreement and document it, or file a division claim if the heirs disagree.<\/li>\n<li>Transfer properties and shares to each heir according to their share.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h2>Frequently asked questions<\/h2>\n<h3>Does a daughter inherit the same as a son?<\/h3>\n<p>When they inherit together, a son takes twice a daughter&#8217;s share; when there are only daughters, they have fixed shares: one half for one daughter, two thirds for two or more.<\/p>\n<h3>Can heirs agree to divide differently from the fixed shares?<\/h3>\n<p>An adult heir of sound mind may give up part of their right by consent, and this is documented; it is not allowed with a minor&#8217;s share.<\/p>\n<h3>Who calculates the inheritance officially?<\/h3>\n<p>The court, when establishing the heirs and dividing the estate; the Ministry of Justice calculator or ours can give a first estimate.<\/p>\n<h2>A disagreement among heirs?<\/h2>\n<p>The <strong>Usus Law Firm<\/strong> team handles <a href=\"https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/en\/service\/inheritance-and-estate-distribution\/\">estates and heirship<\/a>: the calculation, division by agreement, and division claims, in <a href=\"https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/en\/lawyer-in-riyadh\/\">Riyadh<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/en\/lawyer-in-tabuk\/\">Tabuk<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-size:12.5px;color:#6a6178;border-top:1px solid #e6ddd0;padding-top:10px;margin-top:16px\"><em>This article is general legal information and is not a substitute for advice on your specific case. Court proceedings in Saudi Arabia are in Arabic; the official Arabic text of each law prevails.<\/em><\/p>\n<div class=\"usus-qbox\">\n<h2>Request a quick consultation<\/h2>\n<p>Leave your name and mobile number, and a lawyer from our Riyadh or Tabuk office will call you during working hours. We advise in English.<\/p>\n\n<div class=\"wpcf7 no-js\" id=\"wpcf7-f6963-o1\" lang=\"en-US\" dir=\"ltr\" data-wpcf7-id=\"6963\">\n<div class=\"screen-reader-response\"><p role=\"status\" aria-live=\"polite\" aria-atomic=\"true\"><\/p> <ul><\/ul><\/div>\n<form action=\"\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8450#wpcf7-f6963-o1\" method=\"post\" class=\"wpcf7-form init\" aria-label=\"Contact form\" novalidate=\"novalidate\" data-status=\"init\">\n<fieldset class=\"hidden-fields-container\"><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_wpcf7\" value=\"6963\" \/><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_wpcf7_version\" value=\"6.2.2\" \/><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_wpcf7_locale\" value=\"en_US\" \/><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_wpcf7_unit_tag\" value=\"wpcf7-f6963-o1\" \/><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_wpcf7_container_post\" value=\"0\" \/><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_wpcf7_posted_data_hash\" value=\"\" \/>\n<\/fieldset>\n<span id=\"wpcf7-6ae0f08bc7ea6-wrapper\" class=\"wpcf7-form-control-wrap cf7apps-honeypot-wrap honeypot-qf-wrap\" style=\"position:absolute;width:1px;height:1px;padding:0;margin:-1px;overflow:hidden;clip:rect(0,0,0,0);white-space:nowrap;border:0;\"><label for=\"wpcf7-6ae0f08bc7ea6-field\" class=\"hp-message\">Please leave this field empty.<\/label><input id=\"wpcf7-6ae0f08bc7ea6-field\"  class=\"wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-text\" type=\"text\" name=\"honeypot-qf\" value=\"\" autocomplete=\"new-password\" tabindex=\"1000\" data-cf7apps-tabindex=\"1000\" \/><\/span>\n<div class=\"usus-qf\">\n<div class=\"f\"><label for=\"q-name\">Name<\/label><span class=\"wpcf7-form-control-wrap\" data-name=\"q-name\"><input size=\"40\" maxlength=\"400\" class=\"wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-text wpcf7-validates-as-required\" id=\"q-name\" autocomplete=\"name\" aria-required=\"true\" aria-invalid=\"false\" placeholder=\"Your name\" value=\"\" type=\"text\" name=\"q-name\" \/><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"f\"><label for=\"q-phone\">Mobile<\/label><span class=\"wpcf7-form-control-wrap\" data-name=\"q-phone\"><input size=\"40\" maxlength=\"400\" class=\"wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-tel wpcf7-validates-as-required wpcf7-text wpcf7-validates-as-tel\" id=\"q-phone\" autocomplete=\"tel\" aria-required=\"true\" aria-invalid=\"false\" placeholder=\"05xxxxxxxx\" value=\"\" type=\"tel\" name=\"q-phone\" \/><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"f\"><label for=\"q-city\">City<\/label><span class=\"wpcf7-form-control-wrap\" data-name=\"q-city\"><select class=\"wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-select wpcf7-validates-as-required\" id=\"q-city\" aria-required=\"true\" aria-invalid=\"false\" name=\"q-city\"><option value=\"Riyadh\">Riyadh<\/option><option value=\"Tabuk\">Tabuk<\/option><option value=\"Other city\">Other city<\/option><\/select><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"f w\"><label for=\"q-msg\">Your case in brief (optional)<\/label><span class=\"wpcf7-form-control-wrap\" data-name=\"q-msg\"><textarea cols=\"40\" rows=\"2\" maxlength=\"600\" class=\"wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-textarea\" id=\"q-msg\" aria-invalid=\"false\" placeholder=\"One or two lines are enough\" name=\"q-msg\"><\/textarea><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"s\"><input class=\"wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-submit has-spinner\" type=\"submit\" value=\"Request a call from a lawyer\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div><div class=\"wpcf7-response-output\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/div>\n<\/form>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8220;How is the inheritance divided?&#8221; is asked in every home after a death. In the Kingdom the rule is the Islamic law of inheritance (fara&#8217;id): each heir has a share fixed by the Quran and Sunnah, and whatever remains goes to the residuary heirs. Here we explain how inheritance is divided with worked examples for [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":8462,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[82],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-8450","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-inheritance-estates"],"acf":[],"featured_image_src":{"landsacpe":["https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/usus-cover-8450-1140x445.jpg?wsr",1140,445,true],"list":["https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/usus-cover-8450-463x348.jpg?wsr",463,348,true],"medium":["https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/usus-cover-8450-300x169.jpg?wsr",300,169,true],"full":["https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/usus-cover-8450.jpg?wsr",1200,675,false]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8450","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8450"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8450\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8540,"href":"https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8450\/revisions\/8540"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/8462"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8450"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8450"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8450"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}