Register your will in the UAE
Protect your family, property and business in the UAE. We explain your options, prepare your will and guide you through registration with the DIFC Courts or the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department.
- Who can register
- Non-Muslims aged 21 and over
- Where
- DIFC Courts or Abu Dhabi Judicial Department
- What it covers
- Property, bank accounts, shares
- Children
- Name guardians you trust
What happens without a will?
For expats in the UAE, the default rules can be slow and may not match your wishes.
Bank accounts can be frozen
Accounts, even joint ones, can be frozen until a court confirms the heirs, which can take months.
Default rules decide who inherits
For non-Muslims, federal civil law generally gives half to a spouse and splits the rest equally between the children.
A court chooses your children’s guardian
Without a registered will, the court decides who looks after children who are minors.
Your business can stall
Company shares form part of the estate, so bank access, renewals and decisions can be held up.
Your will options
DIFC willsA DIFC will lets non-Muslims aged 21 and over choose who inherits their UAE assets and who looks after their children, under rules designed for expatriates.
Abu Dhabi willsThe Abu Dhabi Judicial Department registers wills for non-Muslims under the emirate’s civil family law, with a simple, largely online process.
Wills for business ownersYour company shares are part of your estate. A will, together with your company documents, helps your business keep running and passes your shares to the right people.
Guardianship willsIf something happens to you, a registered will lets you choose who looks after your children, instead of leaving it to a court.DIFC or Abu Dhabi?
Both let non-Muslims leave UAE assets as they choose. The right one depends mainly on where your assets are.
| DIFC will | Abu Dhabi (ADJD) will | |
|---|---|---|
| Who can register | Non-Muslims aged 21 and over | Non-Muslim adults |
| Best for | Property and families in Dubai or Ras Al Khaimah | Assets and families in Abu Dhabi |
| How you apply | Registry appointment | Online with UAE Pass, then an appointment |
| Language | English | English with an official Arabic translation |
| Cost | Higher, varies by will type | Government fee reported at AED 950 |
How it works
- 01
Free consultation
We talk through your family, your assets in and outside the UAE, and what you want to happen.
- 02
Choose your will and registry
We explain whether a DIFC or Abu Dhabi will suits you, and which type of will you need.
- 03
Review your draft
Your will is prepared for you to check, with beneficiaries, executors and guardians set out clearly.
- 04
Sign and register
We guide you through the registry appointment, in person or by video where it’s available.
Start your will application
Tell us a little about your family and assets. An adviser will explain your options, with no obligation.
What you’ll need later
- Passport, and Emirates ID if you’re a UAE resident
- A list of your main assets
- Names of the people you want to inherit
- Who you’d like as executor, and as guardians for any children
Step 1 of 4
Who is the will for?
What should it cover? Pick all that apply
Where do you live?
Where should we send your will options?
Thanks, there. Your will application has started.
An adviser will contact you on WhatsApp to talk through your options.
A few more details (optional)
- We explain which will and registry suit your family and assets.
- Your will is prepared and checked with you.
- We guide you through signing and registration.
Wills FAQs
Do I need a will if I live in the UAE?
If you have assets or children in the UAE, a registered will is the most reliable way to decide who inherits and who looks after your children. Without one, default rules and the courts decide.
Who can register a will in the UAE?
Non-Muslims aged 21 and over can register a will with the DIFC Courts Wills Service or the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department. Each registry has its own conditions, which we check for you.
What happens to my estate if I die without a will?
For non-Muslims, federal civil law generally gives half the estate to a surviving spouse and splits the rest equally between the children. Bank accounts can be frozen and a court decides guardianship.
What is a mirror will?
Two matching wills for a couple, where each usually leaves everything to the other, and then to the children. Both registries offer options for couples.
Can Muslims register a will in the UAE?
The DIFC and Abu Dhabi will services are designed for non-Muslims. Muslim residents’ estates are generally distributed under Sharia rules, and a will can only change part of that. Ask us about your situation.
Is a will from my home country valid in the UAE?
A foreign will may be recognised, but using it can be slower and less certain. Many expats keep their home will for home assets and register a UAE will for UAE assets, drafted so that one doesn’t cancel the other.
Wills guides
All guides
How to Make a Will in the UAE: A 2026 Guide for ExpatsHow to make a will in the UAE as an expat: who can register, DIFC and Abu Dhabi options, what to include, documents, costs and the steps to registration.Read the guide
What Happens If You Die Without a Will in the UAE?What happens if an expat dies without a will in the UAE: default inheritance rules, frozen bank accounts, property, company shares and guardianship of children.Read the guide
DIFC Will vs Abu Dhabi Will: Which Is Right for You?DIFC will vs Abu Dhabi (ADJD) will compared: who can register, assets covered, process, language and cost, with examples of which suits your situation.Read the guideThis page is general information, not legal advice. Will rules and fees change, so we confirm what applies to you before you proceed.
Protect what matters most
Start your will application today. An adviser will explain your options, with no obligation.
