Non-Muslim expatriate residents and non-resident property owners can register a will in the UAE that ring-fences their assets from default Sharia distribution. The framework is well established and the process is faster than most people expect — usually two to four weeks end to end.
Who can register
- Non-Muslim adults (18+) of any nationality
- Both UAE residents and non-resident property owners
- Joint testators (mirror wills for spouses)
Muslim testators are governed by separate rules and can use the Sharia-compliant wills service offered by Dubai Courts and ADJD.
What assets you can include
A UAE-registered will can dispose of:
- Real estate — freehold apartments, villas, townhouses and off-plan units in any emirate
- Bank accounts and deposits held with UAE-licensed banks
- Investment accounts with UAE brokers and platforms (ADX, DFM, Nasdaq Dubai)
- Shares in UAE mainland, free zone and offshore companies
- End-of-service gratuity and DEWS/employer pension balances
- Vehicles registered with RTA or other emirate authorities
- Personal property of significant value — jewellery, art, watches
- Guardianship of minor children resident in the UAE
Assets located outside the UAE should typically be covered by a separate will in the relevant jurisdiction to avoid conflict-of-law delays.
The three registers
| Register | Best for | Fee (gov't) | Language |
|---|---|---|---|
| DIFC Wills Service | Dubai + RAK + multi-emirate, common-law style | from AED 5,000 | English |
| ADJD Non-Muslim Wills | Abu Dhabi assets, value-conscious clients | AED 950 | Bilingual |
| Dubai Courts Register | Dubai-only, cost-conscious clients | ~AED 2,200 | Bilingual |
The step-by-step process
- Inventory your assets. Title deeds, Ejari, bank account numbers, share certificates, vehicle registrations.
- Choose your beneficiaries and executor. The executor administers the estate; many clients name a spouse with a professional backup.
- Engage a UAE-licensed legal drafter. A DIFC-registered will must follow specific drafting conventions; ADJD and Dubai Courts wills require certified bilingual translation.
- Book a registration appointment. In person at DIFC Gate Building 4, ADJD headquarters or Dubai Courts — or virtually for DIFC and ADJD.
- Attend with original passport and Emirates ID. Two witnesses are provided by the registry. You sign, the registrar signs, and the will is sealed and stored.
- Receive your certified copy. Store the original safely; the registry retains the master.
Costs to budget
- Government registration: AED 950–7,500 depending on register and single vs mirror
- Legal drafting fees: typically AED 4,500–15,000 depending on complexity
- Translation and notarisation: AED 500–2,000 if applicable
- Foreign-asset advisory (optional): additional fees
When to update
Re-register your will whenever you:
- Marry, divorce or have another child
- Buy or sell a UAE property
- Change executor or guardian
- Move significant assets into a new free zone company
Common pitfalls
- Relying solely on a foreign will — UAE courts may freeze assets pending home-country probate
- Listing a property by old plot number after a developer renamed the building
- Naming a guardian who is not legally resident in the UAE
- Forgetting to add newly acquired off-plan units after handover
A registered will costs a fraction of what your family will pay in legal fees, translations and frozen accounts if one is missing. Talk to our team for an introduction to a vetted DIFC- or ADJD-accredited wills drafter.