Why is it Important to Have a Will in the UAE?
A valid will registration ensures your assets are distributed according to your wishes and protects your family from uncertainty and disputes.
Ensures assets are distributed according to your wishes
Avoids default UAE inheritance laws
Allows appointment of guardians for minor children
Reduces family disputes and lengthy court procedures
Provides clarity and peace of mind
Factors Influencing the Choice of Will
The choice of will depends on several factors:
Religion of the Testator
Nationality of the Testator
Family Status & Dependents
Location of Assets
Types of Wills in the UAE
i. Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) Will
DIFC offers various Will options tailored to specific needs:
- ✔️ Full Will: Covers asset distribution and appoints guardians for minor children.
- ✔️ Property Will: For up to five real estate properties or shares in those properties.
- ✔️ Guardianship Will: Appoints guardians for minor children, subject to eligibility requirements.
- ✔️ Financial Assets Will: Includes up to ten bank or brokerage accounts registered solely or jointly in the testator's name, with accounts held at UAE banks or firms.
- ✔️ Business Owners Will: Covers up to five shareholdings in any UAE onshore or free zone company.
- ✔️ Digital Assets Will: Covers the testator’s digital assets within a DIFC Courts’ non-custodial wallet.
- Registration process is online without the need for a UAE residency
- Requirements:
- Being a non-Muslim
- Being at least 21 years old
- Having the necessary mental capacity and free will
- Registered in English
- Covers global assets (subject to foreign countries’ limitations)
- Our Managing Partner is a qualified DIFC Wills Draftsman with extensive experience in drafting and registering DIFC Wills
ii. Dubai Notary Will
- ✔️ A legally binding document notarized by a Notary Office in Dubai, UAE, involving the presence of a Notary
- ✔️ Covers assets across all seven Emirates in the UAE
- ✔️ Available for online registration (requires UAE residency)
- ✔️ Requirements:
- Being a non-Muslim
- Being at least 21 years old
- Having the necessary mental capacity and free will
- ✔️ Registered in both English and Arabic languages
iii. ADJD Will (also available for expat Muslims)
- ✔️ Specialized registry for the registration of Wills for both Muslims and non-Muslims
- ✔️ Covers assets in Abu Dhabi, other Emirates (including free zones), and abroad (subject to foreign limitations)
- ✔️ Online registration
- ✔️ Registered in both English and Arabic languages
- ✔️ Requirements:
- Being at least 21 years old
- Having the necessary mental capacity and free will
Comparison of will registration options across ADJD, DIFC, and Dubai Notary
| Scope | ADJD Will | DIFC Will | Dubai Notary Will |
|---|---|---|---|
| Covers assets located in all Emirates | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Covers assets outside UAE* | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✖️ |
| For Muslim expats | ✔️ | ✖️ | ✖️ |
| For Non-Muslims | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Arabic | ✔️ | ✖️ | ✔️ |
| English | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Online Registration | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ (subject to UAE residency availability) |
* Subject to foreign countries’ limitations.
Register Your Will: Simple Will Registration Steps from Home
Step 1
Contact our team
Step 2
Client onboarding and payment
Step 3
Request all the needed information
Step 4
Draft the will and share it for review
Step 5
Register the will and book the appointment
We’re Ready to Assist
At Rasma Legal, we can assist with the full will‑drafting and registration process — from identifying the most suitable jurisdiction for the client to drafting and registering the will with the relevant authority. Our team has the required expertise to handle the entire process effectively, assisting with every stage of will registration in the UAE..
For any assistance, please feel free to reach out to us at any time:
