ADJD wills : non-muslim wills in the UAE

The Abu Dhabi Judicial Department (ADJD) Wills Registry is a dedicated platform for registering wills made by non Muslims under Abu Dhabi’s civil law jurisdiction. An ADJD registered will allows non Muslim testators to opt out of Sharia based inheritance rules and can cover assets located across all seven emirates.

Purpose and key features

The ADJD Wills Registry embraces the principle of testamentary freedom, enabling a testator to designate beneficiaries as they wish, subject to formal requirements. It also supports provisions on guardianship of minor children, allowing testators to appoint permanent and temporary guardians if both parents pass away.

The system operates within Abu Dhabi’s civil law jurisdiction and is available to non-Muslims. Registration is ultimately recorded in Arabic before the on shore courts, which means sworn translation requirements apply where necessary.

Eligibility and core requirements

• Religion : the testator must be non‑Muslim.
• Age : the testator, executors and trustees must be at least 21 under UAE law.
• Status : the testator must hold a valid Emirates ID.
• Language : wills drafted in a language other than Arabic require a sworn translation. Filing is in Arabic (or bilingual) with the ADJD Wills Registry.

Practice tip : draft approval, translation and appointment scheduling can be arranged in advance to streamline registration.

Main effects of registration

• Disapplication of Sharia rules for a non‑Muslim’s estate in favour of the declared wishes.
• Nation‑wide coverage : an ADJD will may address assets throughout the UAE.
• Child guardianship : appointment of permanent/temporary guardians within the will.

Process and useful comparisons

Appointments and appearance

The testator must appear in person (or virtually) at the registration appointment. The file includes the draft will (Arabic or bilingual), identity documents, and evidence relating to the assets, where relevant.

ADJD vs. other routes

• ADJD : Abu Dhabi public registry, Arabic procedure, UAE‑wide reach, guardianship coverage.
• Dubai Courts/DIFC Wills Service : depending on needs (asset location, working language, fee structure, instrument type), alternative routes exist, notably the DIFC for English‑language wills by non‑Muslims.

Drafting an ADJD will : key considerations

• Scope of assets : clearly list assets (real estate, bank accounts, investments, shares) and where they are located.
• Beneficiaries and fallback provisions : define allocations and alternates.
• Executors/trustees : select trusted adults able to act in the UAE.
• Guardianship : designate first‑line and reserve guardians (residence, availability, willingness).
• Practical clauses : debt settlement, asset realisation, treatment of joint accounts.

Step-by-step process

1. Family and asset review : inventory assets and identify beneficiaries/guardians.
2. Drafting : prepare a compliant instrument anticipating conflict‑of‑laws issues.
3. Sworn translation (if required) and appointment booking with ADJD.
4. Appearance and registration : filing, formal checks, fee payment, and receipt of registration details.
5. Updates : review after life events (marriage/divorce, birth, acquisitions/disposals).

Practical tips

• Plan ahead : translation and document collation take time.
• Align documentation : ensure consistency of title deeds, bank details, identities, and Emirates ID.
• Cover non‑Abu Dhabi assets : explicitly include assets in other emirates.
• Guardianship : confirm guardian availability and ability to travel/reside in the UAE.

For non Muslims, ADJD wills provide a recognised framework to organise UAE estate succession and secure child guardianship. Their value lies in testamentary freedom and UAE wide reach, provided the will is carefully prepared (translation, supporting documents, appearance) and drafted in harmony with any other succession regimes potentially engaged.

Our lawyers, who are experts in inheritence law, are available to answer all your questions and provide advice. We offer face-to-face meetings or videoconferencing. You can make an appointment directly online at https://www.agn-avocats.fr/.

AGN AVOCATS – Inheritance Law
contact@agn-avocats.fr
09 72 34 24 72