In the absence of a registered will, your estate enters a lengthy and costly probate process governed by fixed legal defaults. For both Muslim and non-Muslim expatriates, these 'one-size-fits-all' laws often clash with personal intentions—potentially leading to unintended asset distribution and court-mandated guardianship decisions.

Non-Muslim residents and international investors can secure their legacy through specialized UAE wills. These legal instruments provide absolute certainty over the distribution of local assets and the appointment of guardians for minors, bypassing rigid default laws.

The DIFC Wills Service Centre is operating under a world-class Common Law framework (DIFC Law No. 1 of 2019), this registry is the gold standard for international residents. It offers the unique flexibility to protect your assets both within the UAE and across your global portfolio, all managed through a highly secure, digital-first probate system.

·   Full Will: The most comprehensive option. It covers all movable and immovable assets (bank accounts, property, cars, etc.) and includes guardianship provisions for minors.

·   Property Will: A streamlined solution for those whose primary UAE assets are real estate (covers up to five properties).

·   Guardianship Will: A focused document dedicated solely to the legal appointment of interim and permanent guardians for children residing in Dubai or Ras Al Khaimah.

·   Business Owners Will: Specifically designed to protect your legacy in the corporate world, covering shareholdings in up to five UAE-based companies.

·   Financial Assets Will: A targeted option for liquid wealth, covering up to ten bank or brokerage accounts held within the UAE.

·   Digital Assets Will: (New for 2026) A specialized registry for your digital legacy, including cryptocurrencies, NFTs, and non-custodial wallets.

·   Absolute Testamentary Freedom: Specifically designed for non-Muslims, ensuring your assets are distributed exactly as you wish without the application of Sharia or local civil defaults.

·   Independent Common Law Framework: Benefit from a world-class legal system (DIFC Law No. 1 of 2019) that offers familiar, Western-style probate and enforceable judicial certainty.

·   Remote Global Accessibility: Register your will from anywhere in the world via secure virtual witnessing and 100% online registration portals.

·   Direct & Fast-Track Probate: Under 2025 reforms, the DIFC Courts now hold exclusive jurisdiction over the enforcement of their wills, bypassing the need for onshore court verification and significantly accelerating asset distribution.

es. Under Dubai Law No. 2 of 2025, DIFC Probate Orders now hold exclusive jurisdiction for Dubai-based assets and are directly enforceable across all seven Emirates. Through a streamlined 'conversion' process between the DIFC and local courts, your executors can efficiently manage properties and bank accounts in any Emirate, including Ras Al Khaimah and Abu Dhabi.

A registry established under Abu Dhabi Law No. 14 of 2021, offers a streamlined, civil-law framework for estate planning. It is uniquely recognized across all seven Emirates, providing both residents and international investors a secure way to manage asset distribution and guardianship.

Yes, as of 2026, this pathway is open to both non-Muslims and non-GCC Muslim expatriates seeking to define their own legacy.

ADJD has become the primary secular pathway for all expatriates

Key Features of an ADJD Civil Will

·   Universal Expat Eligibility: Open to non-Muslims of all nationalities, and as of 2026, non-GCC Muslim expatriates can also register to opt-out of traditional Sharia distribution.

·   Comprehensive Nationwide Validity: Legally binding for all assets across all seven Emirates, providing a unified solution for property, bank accounts, and corporate shares.

·   Unmatched Cost-Efficiency: Offers the most accessible government registration fees in the UAE (AED 950 for single wills / AED 1,900 for mirror wills).

·   100% Remote Notarization: Complete your entire registration via a secure video-link with the Abu Dhabi Notary, with no physical court visit required.

·   Digital Security: Receive a blockchain-secured digital will with a verifiable QR code for immediate recognition by banks and the Land Department.

What to Have Ready:

1.              ID: Passport & Emirates ID.

2.              Assets: Title deeds, bank details, and trade licenses.

3.              People: Passport copies of executors and guardians.

4.              The Will: A bilingual (Arabic/English) or English draft ready for virtual notarization.

In 2026, the Dubai Courts are a specialized and cost-effective option, particularly for those with straightforward Dubai-based assets who are comfortable with bilingual proceedings.
Since 2023, Dubai Courts have provided a dedicated pathway for non-Muslim residents to register civil wills under Federal Decree-Law No. 41 of 2022. This jurisdiction offers a robust, government-backed registration process that ensures your assets are distributed according to civil principles rather than Sharia defaults, with all proceedings handled within the local judicial system.

Yes, it's cheaper.

Yes. Under the unified Federal Decree-Law No. 41 of 2022, a civil will registered at Dubai Courts is legally enforceable across all seven Emirates. It provides a comprehensive solution for your UAE real estate, bank accounts, and corporate shares.

Important for 2026: Your will now also secures guardianship for children until the new legal age of majority (18 years), ensuring seamless protection nationwide.

Not if you have a registered will. Since the 2023 Civil Law reforms, non-Muslims who die without a will are now governed by a secular 'Civil Law' default (50% to spouse, 50% to children). However, the only way to bypass these fixed government formulas and ensure 100% of your assets go to your chosen beneficiaries is to register a valid will in a jurisdiction like the DIFC or Abu Dhabi (ADJD).

Yes. All UAE-registered wills are flexible legal instruments that can be updated as your life changes. Whether you are using the DIFC, ADJD, or Dubai Courts, the entire amendment process is now conducted virtually. You can modify beneficiaries, assets, or guardians through secure video-link appointments without needing to visit a court in person.

Without a registered will, your estate is subject to the UAE's mandatory 'Intestacy' defaults. For non-Muslims, this triggers a rigid 50/50 split between your spouse and children. Furthermore, under Federal Law No. 51 of 2024 (effective Jan 2026), if no legal heirs are identified, your UAE-based financial assets will be designated as a charitable endowment (Waqf). A registered will is the only way to ensure your legacy stays with your family.