Wills and succession planning in the UAE : Dubai/DIFC vs ADJD

Registering a will in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) helps secure asset transfers and guardianship for minor children. Expatriates have several routes: Dubai Courts (local notary), the DIFC Wills Service Centre, and the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department (ADJD) Wills Registry. This guide outlines how to select the right option and complete registration efficiently.

Legal framework

• Personal Status Code (Federal Law No. 28/2005) : core family and succession rules, allowing non‑Muslims to request application of their national law.
• Civil Transactions Law (Federal Law No. 5/1985) as amended by Law No. 30/2020 : addresses conflict‑of‑laws (Article 17), with specific rules for UAE‑situated real property.

Non Muslim expatriates may, in certain cases, arrange succession under their home law and register wills with dedicated platforms.

Registration options by emirate

Dubai Courts (public notary)

• Wills in Arabic (sworn translation if the draft is in English/French).
• Typical end‑to‑end costs for a full will (drafting, translation, formalities) : AED 8,000 – 10,000.

DIFC Wills Service Centre

• Restricted to non‑Muslims; procedure in English.
• Filing via DIFC appointment portal with approved draft, passport copy, and property proofs.
• Broader coverage (Dubai and RAK assets, and, in some cases, certain assets outside the UAE).
• Indicative registration fees for a full will : AED 15,000 – 20,000 depending on will type (guardianship, property, free zone company, etc.).

Abu Dhabi Judicial Department (ADJD)

• Dedicated registry; procedure in Arabic (or bilingual) with in‑person/video appearance.
• Ability to cover assets across all emirates and minor guardianship (permanent/temporary).
• Advertised government fees typically lower than DIFC; ballpark AED 750 for registration (excluding preparatory/translation fees) and AED 950 for non‑Muslim probate issuance.

Essential will content

• Asset schedule : real estate, bank accounts, investments, company shares, vehicles, etc.
• Beneficiaries : clear allocations and alternates.
• Executors : trusted adults (21+) available to perform formalities.
• Minor guardianship : permanent and temporary guardians with contact details and consent.
• Practical clauses : debt settlement, joint accounts, asset realisation rules.

Typical process

1. Scoping : select the route (Dubai Courts / DIFC / ADJD) by language, asset footprint, budget and timeline.
2. Drafting : prepare a compliant will reflecting the target platform’s requirements.
3. Translation (if needed) and booking (DIFC portal, Dubai registry or ADJD).
4. Appearance and registration : filing, formal checks, fee payment.
5. Retention and updates : revise after major life events (birth, divorce, asset changes).

Considerations for non-Muslim expatriates

• Real property : Article 17 of the Civil Code provides for UAE law on wills disposing of UAE real estate (subject to case‑law nuances). Careful drafting is required.
• Proofs : keep title deeds and asset evidence aligned with the testator’s identity.
• Costs and timelines : plan for translation, lead times, and platform‑specific fees.
• Guardianship : document proposed guardians (residence, availability, consent).

Budget and practical trade offs

Choose between Dubai Courts, DIFC and ADJD based on language (Arabic vs English), scope (which assets, which emirates), fees (ADJD generally lower; DIFC higher but English based) and convenience (virtual attendance, online filing, scheduling).

Multiple routes exist in the UAE to register a will aligned with expatriate objectives. Selecting the right forum (Dubai Courts, DIFC, ADJD) according to asset profile and succession goals helps ensure legal certainty, efficient probate, and family protection, especially for minor guardianship. Careful preparation (drafting, translations, supporting documents) remains decisive.

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