Will Formation
DIFC Wills, Dubai Courts and ADJD-registered wills for non-Muslim expatriates with UAE property, company shares or bank balances. Covers succession, executor appointment and guardianship of minor children — enforceable in UAE courts, drafted in English.
- Starting from
- AED 5,500single full will, registration fee at cost
- Typical timeline
- 2 – 3 weeksFrom complete documents
- Fee structure
- ItemisedGovernment charges shown separately
- Aftercare
- Named managerSame contact after completion
What this actually involves
Without a registered will, UAE assets of non-Muslim expatriates can be distributed under default succession rules, and accounts can be frozen while the estate is resolved. A DIFC Wills Service Centre or Abu Dhabi registered will gives you certainty over property, shares, bank balances and guardianship of minor children.
Why clients choose us for this
- Common-law style testamentary freedom over your UAE assets
- Guardianship provisions for minor children, including interim guardians
- Covers UAE property, company shares, bank accounts and vehicles
- Registered through the right registry — DIFC Wills & Probate Registry, Dubai Courts or the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department
What is included
Every engagement is scoped in writing before you pay. These are the standard deliverables for will formation.
- Asset and beneficiary review
- Will drafting to your instructions
- Executor and guardian appointment advice
- Registration appointment booking and attendance
- Certified copies and secure storage guidance
- Amendment and codicil support
How we work
01
Free consultation
A 30-minute call with a licensed adviser, not a salesperson. We map your activity, ownership, visa needs and banking profile, then tell you what it will genuinely cost.
Day 002
Structure & quote
You receive a written comparison of the viable jurisdictions with a full fee breakdown — government charges and our fee shown separately. No pressure, no expiring discounts.
Day 103
Documents & submission
We collect and check every document before submission. Name reservation, initial approval and MoA are filed, and you get a named case manager with a direct line.
Day 2 – 304
Licence issued
Trade licence, Establishment Card and corporate documents are issued and delivered digitally, with hard copies couriered wherever you are.
Day 3 – 10Will Formation — questions we get asked
The DIFC Wills Service Centre is open to non-Muslims who hold assets in the UAE. You do not need to be a UAE resident, and the will can cover assets across designated emirates. Muslims are subject to Sharia principles of succession, for which separate advice is required.
There are three routes and the right one depends on your circumstances. The DIFC Wills & Probate Registry is for non-Muslim expats with UAE assets — common-law based, English-language and fully enforceable in UAE courts. Dubai Courts Wills are notarised wills registered with Dubai Courts and are open to both Muslim and non-Muslim residents. The Abu Dhabi Judicial Department (ADJD) registers non-Muslim wills and is the Abu Dhabi alternative to DIFC. We advise on which registry fits your assets and family situation before drafting.
There are several registration options: a full will covering all UAE assets, a property will limited to real estate, a financial assets will for bank accounts and investments, a business owners will covering shareholdings, and a guardianship will dealing solely with minor children. Choosing the narrowest instrument that meets your need keeps the cost down.
Your UAE assets may be distributed according to default succession rules rather than your wishes, personal and joint bank accounts can be frozen pending resolution, and guardianship of minor children may not automatically pass to the surviving parent as you would expect. A registered will removes that uncertainty.
What usually comes next
Let's price this properly.
A 30-minute consultation with a licensed adviser, and a written fee breakdown whether or not you engage us.