Protect Your Family and Assets with a UAE Will
- Drafted — 3 Business Days
- Process — Fully Remote
Without a registered will in the UAE, Sharia law determines how your assets are distributed. We prepare, draft, and register the right will for your situation quickly and remotely if needed.
- Drafted3 Business Days
- RegistriesDIFC, ADJD, Dubai Courts
- ProcessFully Remote
- CoverageUAE and Worldwide
What a Will Protects
A will is not just a legal document. It is the only way to ensure your wishes are followed in the UAE. Without one, decisions about your estate and your children are made by a court.
Your Property and Real Estate
Your UAE properties go to your chosen beneficiaries, not to whoever Sharia law or a court decides.
Your Bank Accounts and Investments
Your savings, investments, and financial assets are distributed according to your exact instructions.
Your Children's Guardian
You appoint who cares for your minor children. Without a will, a UAE court makes this decision.
Your Business Interests
Your company shares, partnership stakes, and business assets pass to the right people without dispute.
Your International Assets
A DIFC Will can cover assets in the UAE and in other countries, providing one document for your worldwide estate.
Your Right to Choose
A registered will allows non-Muslims to opt out of Sharia distribution and apply the law of their choice.
What Happens to Your Estate Without a Will?
In the UAE, the absence of a registered will means your estate is processed under Sharia law. The difference in time and cost is significant.
6 Months
Average time to settle the estate without a will
1 Week
Average time to execute with a registered will
Which Type of Will Do You Need?
The UAE has three recognised will registries for non-Muslims. Each has different coverage, requirements, and benefits. We advise on the right option for your situation.
DIFC Will
Registered at the Dubai International Financial Centre. Governed by English common law. Covers assets in all seven UAE emirates and abroad. Fully remote registration available.
Best for: non-Muslims with UAE and international assets who want the most comprehensive protection
ADJD Will
Registered at the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department. Available to both Muslims and non-Muslims. Allows opt-out of Sharia distribution. Can include guardianship provisions.
Best for: Abu Dhabi residents or those who prefer the civil court framework
Dubai Courts Will
Registered at the Dubai Courts Notary Public. Covers property in all UAE emirates. Requires Arabic translation before notarisation.
Best for: those seeking a straightforward UAE-based option with lower registration fees
How We Prepare Your Will
A simple, managed process from the first consultation to a registered document. Most wills are completed within one to two weeks.
- 1
Consultation
We review your assets, family situation, and wishes to determine the right will type and registry for your case.
- 2
Drafting
We prepare a customised will that reflects your exact instructions — beneficiaries, guardians, executors, and any special provisions.
- 3
Review and Approval
You review the draft. We make any amendments you require before the document is finalised.
- 4
Registration Appointment
We coordinate your appointment with DIFC, ADJD, or Dubai Courts. Remote signing via video call is available.
- 5
Registered Will Delivered
Your will is officially registered and a certified copy is provided. We advise on secure storage and future updates.
A will written today protects people who cannot protect themselves.
Why preparation and accuracy matter more than most people expect.
We Advise Before We Draft
We understand your full situation before putting anything on paper. The right will type depends on your assets, nationality, and family structure.
We Cover UAE and International Assets
A DIFC Will can protect everything you own — in the UAE and abroad. We advise on the scope that applies to your estate.
We Handle Guardianship Correctly
Appointing a guardian for your children requires specific legal language. We ensure the document is enforceable and complete.
Remote Process Available
You do not need to be in the UAE. DIFC and ADJD wills can be registered remotely through a verified video call.
We Update Your Will When Life Changes
Marriage, divorce, new children, new property. We manage amendments so your will always reflects your current situation.
We Work Across All Registries
DIFC, ADJD, Dubai Courts. We advise on the right registry for your situation and manage the full registration process.
Wills in the UAE: What Every Expat Should Know
What Happens Without a Will
In the absence of a registered will, the distribution of a person's assets in the UAE is governed by Sharia law as interpreted by UAE courts. For non-Muslims, this means assets may not pass to a spouse or children in the way the deceased would have intended. A spouse is not automatically entitled to the full estate. The share allocated to each heir follows a fixed formula that does not account for individual circumstances. The process typically takes six months or more, with legal costs that can reach AED 50,000.
Guardianship is The Part People Forget
One of the most important and frequently overlooked functions of a will is the appointment of a guardian for minor children. Without a named guardian in a registered will, a UAE court decides who cares for your children if both parents die. A properly drafted will registered with DIFC or ADJD allows both parents to name a guardian of their choosing and ensures that decision is legally binding.
When Your Assets Are in More Than One Country
Many expats in the UAE hold assets in multiple jurisdictions — a property in the UAE, savings in their home country, investments elsewhere. A UAE will does not automatically cover foreign assets, and a foreign will may not be recognised in the UAE. A DIFC Will can extend coverage to assets held abroad, subject to legal advice on validity in the relevant jurisdiction. For estates spread across multiple countries, careful planning is required to ensure complete coverage without conflicting documents.
When to Update Your Will
A will is not a document you write once and file away. It should be reviewed when circumstances change. Getting married or divorced, having additional children, acquiring new property, or changing beneficiaries are all events that may require an amendment. DIFC Will amendments cost AED 550. An outdated will can create the same confusion and delay as having no will at all.
Let’s Discuss Your Case
Share your contact details and we’ll reach out to discuss how we can help
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to be a UAE resident to register a will?
No. A DIFC Will can be registered by non-residents who own assets in the UAE. You do not need a UAE visa or Emirates ID. The process can be completed remotely via video call.
Does my home country will cover my UAE assets?
Not automatically. A will issued in your home country may not be recognised or enforced in the UAE without a formal validation process. A UAE-registered will ensures your UAE assets are handled according to your instructions under UAE law.
What happens to my children if I die without appointing a guardian?
If no guardian is named in a registered UAE will, a UAE court decides who cares for your minor children. This decision may not reflect your wishes. A registered will with a guardianship clause is the only way to ensure your preferred guardian is legally appointed.
Can I register a will remotely without visiting the UAE?
Yes. DIFC and ADJD wills can be registered remotely through a verified video signing process. You do not need to be physically present. Two witnesses are required and can also participate remotely in most cases.
How often should I update my will?
Your will should be reviewed whenever your circumstances change. Marriage, divorce, the birth of a child, acquiring new property, or changing your beneficiaries are all situations that may require an update. DIFC Will amendments can be made at any time for AED 550.
Services you might be interest
Let’s Discuss Your Case
Share your contact details and we’ll reach out to discuss how we can help