Will writing in the UAE is an essential legal process for expatriates and residents who wish to establish how their assets, properties, and guardianship matters will be handled after death. Individuals can register wills through recognized authorities such as the DIFC Wills Service Centre, Dubai Courts Notary, or the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department, depending on their legal and personal requirements.
The process includes preparing a valid last will and testament, aligning it with UAE inheritance laws, and ensuring it complies with Sharia law or non-Muslim will regulations, based on the testator’s background. Drafting a will in the UAE offers legal clarity on estate planning, guardianship of minor children, property succession, and business ownership distribution.
Having a valid will in the UAE is essential for expatriates and residents who want to ensure their assets and loved ones are protected. Creating a will is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your family and ensure your assets are distributed according to your wishes. In the UAE, a well-drafted will is a precise legal instrument.
This guide explains how to make a will in Dubai Abu Dhabi UAE, the options available (from local Dubai court wills to DIFC and Abu Dhabi registries), and what to consider when using professional will writing services in Dubai. We will also cover the costs, legal requirements, and frequently asked questions – giving you a complete picture of making a will in Dubai, UAE.
A Will is a legally binding document that outlines how a person’s assets, property, and possessions should be distributed after their death. It also allows the individual (called the testator) to:
In the UAE, wills are particularly important for non-Muslim expatriates, as they allow you to opt out of Sharia inheritance rules and ensure your estate is distributed according to your wishes. Depending on where you live and the assets you hold, wills can be registered with the Dubai Courts, DIFC Wills Service, or ADJD Wills Registry.
Non-Muslim expatriates can legally register wills that override default Sharia inheritance rules. The main options are:
Muslims are subject to Sharia inheritance rules, but wills can still be registered to formalize guardianship or discretionary asset distribution.
For parents with children under 21, guardianship clauses are critical. These wills specify both temporary and permanent guardians.
The main types of wills in the UAE are:
Every valid Will in the UAE must contain several core components to be effective and unambiguous. Whether registering with the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) or the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department (ADJD), these elements are essential.
This is the person making the Will. To be legally valid in the UAE, the testator must meet the following criteria:
These are the individuals, charities, or institutions who will inherit your assets.
The executor is the person (or people) you appoint to be legally responsible for administering your estate after your death.
For any parent with children under the age of 21, this is the most critical clause in your Will. UAE law has specific provisions for guardianship, making it vital to appoint legal guardians to care for your children. It is highly recommended to appoint two types:
The final execution of the Will must strictly follow the rules of your chosen registry, as errors in this step can invalidate the entire document.
To make sure your Will is enforceable and free from ambiguity, it should contain these nine fundamental elements:
The document must be clearly labeled as your “Last Will and Testament” and must include your complete legal name, nationality, and Emirates ID or passport details for proper identification.
Add a clause confirming that any prior wills or testaments you made are revoked. This avoids future conflicts or challenges.
Name the individual(s) you trust to administer your estate. Provide their full names and up-to-date contact details to avoid confusion.
List your heirs precisely, using their legal names. Define the exact percentage or amount of your assets each one will receive.
If you have children under 21, specify both temporary guardians (based in the UAE) and permanent guardians (who may live abroad). Clearly outline their responsibilities.
For wills registered with DIFC, ensure that at least two witnesses who are not beneficiaries sign the will, verifying your identity and mental soundness.
Mention any personal possessions, real estate, or valuables that should go to particular individuals or organizations.
State how any remaining assets, not specifically listed in the will, should be distributed among your beneficiaries.
The testator and, where required, the witnesses must sign each page of the document, including their full names and ID details, to confirm authenticity.
If you are an expatriate or resident in the UAE, simply drafting a will is not enough your will must be registered with the correct authority to be legally enforceable. Registration ensures your wishes are honored, your family is protected, and your assets are distributed smoothly without delays or disputes.
In the UAE, wills can be registered through DIFC, ADJD, Dubai Courts, Sharjah Courts, and Ras Al Khaimah Courts, depending on your situation and place of residence. Here’s everything you need to know about how and where to register your will in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and across the UAE.
Validity: A home-country will can be enforced in the UAE but requires:
Recommendation: Keep a foreign will for overseas assets, but create a UAE-specific will for local estate matters to simplify administration.
A foreign will can be enforced in the UAE, but it must be: probated in the home country, translated into Arabic, legalized (attested) by the home country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, UAE Embassy, and UAE MOFA, then submitted to UAE courts for probate. Without this, the will cannot be executed locally.
The will must first be validated (probated) in the country where it was created.
Translate the will and probate order into Arabic using a UAE certified legal translator.
Get the documents attested by:
Submit the legalized and translated will to the UAE civil courts for local probate.
To write and register a will in Dubai as a non-Muslim expat, follow these steps:
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| 1. Check Eligibility | Be non-Muslim (for full testamentary freedom), over the legal age (commonly 21), sound mind. Ensure you own UAE assets or have interests in UAE. |
| 2. Define Assets & Beneficiaries | List all assets (properties, bank accounts, vehicles, investments). Decide who gets what; name an executor (and alternates) and guardians if you have minor children. |
| 3. Draft the Will | Use a qualified lawyer / registered draftsman. You may draft in English, but registration requires a certified Arabic translation or bilingual version. |
| 4. Review & Finalize Draft | Double-check correctness: names, asset descriptions, guardianship clauses, executor, etc. Fix any typos or ambiguous wording. |
| 5. Submit Will for Approval | Submit your draft via the ADJD portal or through law firm assistance. The registry will review it for legal compliance. |
| 6. Book Signing Appointment | Schedule a signing session, which may be virtual or in-person. Bring along two witnesses (who are not beneficiaries). Originals of passport/ID required. |
| 7. Legal Translation (if needed) | If the will is in English, arrange for a certified Arabic translation for registration. Bilingual version preferred. |
| 8. Pay the ADJD Registration Fee | ADJD fees are relatively modest; for example, AED 950 for a single will, AED 1,900 for “mirror wills” (if applicable) are typical figures. Might vary with complexity. |
| 9. Register and Store | Once signed and approved, your will is registered with ADJD. Officially stored in ADJD’s registry. You receive certified copies. |
| 10. Update as Needed | Life changes (marriage, divorce, children born, property acquired) should trigger a review and update of your will. |
| Registry | Language Requirement | Process | Coverage | Cost (Approx.) | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dubai Courts | Arabic or bilingual | Draft → translate → sign with 2 witnesses at Notary | All Emirates | Low–Mid | Affordable, civil-law framework |
| DIFC Wills Service | English | Draft → register in person or online → sign with 2 witnesses | All Emirates + foreign assets | High | Expats wanting English, common-law style |
| ADJD Wills Registry | Arabic or bilingual | Online portal → bilingual upload → sign in person/remote | All Emirates | Low | Budget-friendly, bilingual certification |
| Foreign Will | Arabic translation + legalization required | Local probate after attestation | All Emirates (with effort) | Variable | For covering overseas assets only |
The information provided above is for general guidance on wills in the UAE and should not be considered formal legal advice.
We are not a law firm. However, we work closely with experienced, UAE-licensed lawyers who can assist with wills drafting and registration through DIFC, ADJD, or Dubai Courts if required.
Please note that laws, procedures, and court fees may change. Before taking any action, always verify the latest requirements directly with the relevant authority. Official resources include:
Yes, you can. Both the DIFC and ADJD wills explicitly allow you to list overseas assets in the will. However, including foreign assets means that when the will is executed, the executors might have to also undertake probate or legal procedures in the country where those assets are located. Some countries will accept a DIFC or ADJD probate order after some legalization; others might require a local probate anyway.
Many lawyers recommend having separate wills for different jurisdictions to simplify matters. For example, keep a will in your home country for assets there, and a UAE will for UAE assets. But if you do include foreign assets in your UAE will, make sure to get advice on how that will be enforced abroad. It’s crucial that multiple wills do not conflict or revoke each other.
If done correctly, you can cover worldwide assets in one DIFC will, which some people find convenient just be prepared for some cross-border legal work when enforcing it.
Two adult witnesses are required for any will in the UAE, whether it’s a local court will, DIFC will, or ADJD will. They should be of sound mind and ideally not very elderly (since a witness might be called upon to testify the will signing was legitimate, it’s good if they’re likely to be around). Importantly, witnesses should not be beneficiaries of the will (nor the spouse of a beneficiary) and generally not named guardians either. They need to be impartial third parties. Common choices for witnesses are friends, colleagues, or professional contacts. If you don’t have someone, some firms provide staff as witnesses. In virtual signings, the registry can arrange independent witnesses for you for a fee. Make sure witnesses bring ID (passport, etc.) to the signing appointment.
Note: The witnesses do not need to read the will or know its contents; their role is simply to witness that you signed it willingly. Also, a witness cannot later become an executor of the same will (to avoid conflict of interest), so choose different people if you were thinking of naming your witness as your executor – pick someone else as executor in that case.
A foreign will is valid in the UAE if it is notarized and attested in the home country, legalized by the UAE Embassy abroad, further attested by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and officially translated into Arabic before being submitted to UAE courts for probate.
The will must be probated or notarized in the country of origin.
Attestation by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA).
A certified legal translator in the UAE must provide an official Arabic translation of the will.
The translated and attested will is then filed with UAE civil courts for probate and enforcement.
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