📜 Will Registration & Estate Planning

Protect Your Family's Future

Without a registered UAE will, your estate may be distributed according to default inheritance rules — regardless of your wishes. We help residents and expatriates register legally sound wills and plan their estates with confidence.

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Will & Estate Planning Services

Comprehensive Will Registration Services

From first draft to court-recognised registration, we guide you through every step of protecting your estate.

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Non-Muslim Will Registration

Drafting and registering English-language, common-law wills for non-Muslim residents through the DIFC Wills Service Centre and RAK ICC Wills service, so your UAE assets pass exactly as you intend.

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Estate Planning for Muslim Clients

Advising Muslim residents on the estate planning options genuinely available under Sharia inheritance rules, including permissible gifting and structuring of assets.

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Guardianship Nomination

Formally nominating a guardian for minor children within your registered will, giving your family clarity and legal standing in the event of the unthinkable.

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Business Succession Wills

Ensuring company shares, partnership interests, and business assets transfer smoothly to your chosen successors without disrupting operations.

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Property & Asset Wills

Registering wills that specifically address UAE real estate, bank accounts, and other locally-held assets — reducing delay and dispute during probate.

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Will Review & Amendment

Reviewing existing wills — UAE or foreign — for validity under UAE law, and handling amendments as your family or financial circumstances change.

Why Register a Will

Don't Leave Your Estate to Default Rules

Many residents assume a will made in their home country will automatically apply to assets held in the UAE. In practice, UAE courts generally apply UAE inheritance rules to UAE-based assets unless a valid, registered UAE will states otherwise.

Registering a will is a straightforward process that removes uncertainty for your family at the worst possible time — and can be completed in a matter of weeks with the right guidance.

Ensures assets pass to the people you choose
Formalises guardianship of minor children
Reduces delay, cost, and dispute during probate
Covers UAE bank accounts, property, and business interests
Can be updated as your circumstances change

Our Process

Registering Your Will Step by Step

Confidential Consultation

We review your family situation, assets, and objectives to identify the right will structure for your circumstances.

Drafting

We prepare a clear, legally sound will reflecting your wishes — including guardianship and executor nominations where relevant.

Registration

We handle formal registration with the relevant registry, including any required attestations or notarisation.

Safekeeping & Updates

We advise on secure storage of your will and support future amendments whenever your circumstances change.

FAQs

Will Registration Questions

Yes, it is strongly recommended. Without a registered UAE will, an expatriate's estate may be distributed according to Sharia inheritance rules by default, regardless of the deceased's personal wishes or home-country will. A registered DIFC, RAK ICC, or notarial will ensures assets are distributed as intended.

The DIFC Wills Service Centre in Dubai and the RAK ICC Wills service in Ras Al Khaimah both allow non-Muslims to register an English-language will governing UAE assets under a common-law framework. Which is more suitable depends on where your assets and residency are located — we advise on the right option for your situation.

Muslim testators are generally subject to Sharia inheritance rules for UAE assets, though certain elements of estate planning — such as gifting up to one third of an estate to non-heirs — remain possible with proper legal structuring. We advise Muslim clients on the genuine options available to them under UAE law.

Yes. A registered will can include a formal guardianship nomination for minor children, which UAE courts will take into account. Without a nominated guardian on record, guardianship can otherwise be contested or default to statutory rules.

Timelines vary by registry and complexity, but straightforward wills can typically be drafted and registered within a few weeks. We will give you a specific timeline once we understand your circumstances.