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UAE Will Drafting Services

A UAE will allows a non-Muslim expat to specify how UAE-held assets, business shares, bank accounts, and guardianship arrangements are handled after death. Without a registered will, UAE inheritance law applies and assets may be distributed in ways that do not reflect your wishes. Insight Advisory drafts and registers wills across DIFC Courts, ADJD, and Dubai Courts.

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Quick answer

A UAE will allows a non-Muslim expat to specify how UAE-held assets, business shares, bank accounts, and guardianship arrangements are handled after death. Without a registered will, UAE inheritance law applies and assets may be distributed in ways that do not reflect your wishes. Insight Advisory drafts and registers wills across DIFC Courts, ADJD, and Dubai Courts.

Who this is for

  • Non-Muslim expats holding property in the UAE
  • Business owners with UAE company shares or investments
  • Parents of children who need a UAE guardianship arrangement
  • Residents with UAE bank accounts, savings, or significant personal assets
  • High-net-worth individuals with mixed UAE and international assets

What we handle

  • 01Initial consultation to assess assets, family situation, and appropriate will type
  • 02Drafting the will in accordance with UAE legal requirements and your instructions
  • 03Advising on the right registration authority - DIFC Courts, ADJD, or Dubai Courts
  • 04Coordinating registration, translation, and authority submissions
  • 05Guardianship will preparation for parents with minor children
  • 06Business owner will advice - protecting UAE company shares

Under UAE law, the estate of a non-Muslim who dies without a registered will may be subject to Sharia inheritance principles for UAE assets. This can significantly affect how property, bank accounts, business shares, and guardianship of children are handled. A properly drafted and registered UAE will provides legal certainty for your family. We advise on the right registration route and draft wills that are legally enforceable in the UAE.

Process

How it works

  1. 01

    Initial Consultation

    We review your UAE assets (property, company shares, bank accounts) and family situation to recommend the most suitable registration route.

  2. 02

    Will Drafting

    We draft the will in English (and Arabic where required), covering all UAE assets with legally precise provisions.

  3. 03

    Review & Approval

    You review the draft with us. We incorporate any revisions and confirm the final content.

  4. 04

    Registration

    We coordinate the registration with DIFC Courts, ADJD, or Dubai Courts - handling submissions, fees, and any follow-up requirements.

Documents required

  • Valid passport copies of testator and beneficiaries
  • Emirates ID or UAE residence visa
  • List of UAE assets (property title deeds, company documents, bank details)
  • Details of nominated executors and guardians (passport copies)
  • Existing foreign wills or estate planning documents (if any)

Frequently asked questions

Yes. A foreign will may not be automatically recognised by UAE courts for UAE-held assets. A registered UAE will is the most reliable way to ensure your UAE property, accounts, and company shares are distributed according to your wishes. The two wills can coexist - one for UAE assets, one for home country assets.
DIFC Courts handle wills in English for assets in Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah - widely used by expats. ADJD (Abu Dhabi Judicial Department) covers Abu Dhabi and Northern Emirates assets. Dubai Courts handle wills in Arabic for UAE assets. The right choice depends on where your assets are located and your language preference.
Yes. Shares in a UAE mainland or free zone company can and should be covered in your UAE will. We advise on how to structure the bequest to avoid shareholder agreement conflicts.
Insight Advisory's will drafting fee starts from AED 3,499, depending on estate complexity and the registration court chosen. DIFC Courts registration fees start from AED 10,500 for a single will and go higher for mirror wills and complex estates. ADJD fees are lower. We provide a full cost breakdown before you commit.

Watch out

Common mistakes to avoid

  • 01Assuming a will made in your home country automatically applies to UAE assets - it may not be recognised or enforceable without registration.
  • 02Not including a guardianship provision - without one, UAE courts decide on guardianship of your minor children.
  • 03Not updating the will after major life changes - marriage, divorce, birth of children, or significant asset changes.
  • 04Choosing the wrong registration route - DIFC, ADJD, and Dubai Courts have different asset coverage and jurisdictions.
  • 05Not appointing a UAE-based executor, which can slow down estate administration significantly.
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Written by Insight Advisory Legal Team · Reviewed by Wills & Estates Advisory Team · Last updated: May 2026

This page provides general information about UAE will drafting and registration. It does not constitute legal advice. UAE inheritance law and registration requirements vary by asset type, jurisdiction, and personal circumstances. Contact Insight Advisory for advice tailored to your estate.