Okaz/Saudi Gazette

JEDDAH — Legal experts said more than 50 percent of women, children and minors suffer injustice in inheritance cases.

Legal consultant Saadoun Al-Shammary said some women do not understand the concept of power of attorney.

“Many women make the mistake of giving up their inheritance to the person they have given the power of attorney to. They think that their attorney deserves a part of the inheritance when that is not the case. They also often face injustice in written wills,” said Al-Shammary.

He advised women to never give the power of attorney to anyone other than the husband, brother or whoever is in place of a brother for the woman.

“The power of attorney expires when the person who authorized it passes away. That way people who have the power of attorney cannot abuse their power after the person’s death. Women should come to the Personal Status Court immediately if they were prohibited from getting their rightful portion of the inheritance,” said Al-Shammary.

He added the law is here to protect women from blackmail.

Umm Raed, 30-year-old mother of three, came to court to demand her rightful inheritance from her brother. She gave her brother the power of attorney but he took her portion of the inheritance and the portion of her sisters as well. Her father had died 15 years ago and she has been fighting for her inheritance ever since. She added she hired a lawyer who was willing to take her case without any financial rewards.

Former judge Abdullah Al-Ghamdi said the judge often does not have the authority to rule in favor of women and minors when it comes to inheritance cases.

“There is no written law when it comes to inheritance. The lack of a written law often causes injustice on many rightful heirs. One of the biggest problems that cause injustice is the attorneys’ exploitation and written wills that change the portions divided on people,” said Al-Ghamdi.