UAE Wills & Estate Planning FAQ

Without a registered Will, your estate will be distributed according to Sharia law regardless of your religion or nationality. All bank accounts (including joint accounts) are immediately frozen, assets are frozen, and distribution follows Islamic inheritance rules which may not align with your wishes.

Under Sharia law, if you’re survived by parents, spouse, and children:

• Wife receives: 1/8th (12.5%) of assets
• Parents receive: 1/6th (16.6%) each
• Remaining assets: Distributed among children with sons receiving double the share of daughters
• Extended family: Cousins and uncles may also receive portions
• Female custody: Women typically do not receive custody of children

Use the DIFC Inheritance Calculator (opens in a new tab) to see how your assets would be distributed.

Yes, Sharia inheritance law applies to ALL expatriates (regardless of religion) who die without a registered Will in the UAE. This is why having a UAE Will is critical for non-Muslims who want their assets distributed according to their wishes.

A Will is a legally binding document that specifies how your assets should be distributed after death and who should be appointed as guardians of your minor children. It ensures your wishes are respected and helps prevent family disputes.

A UAE-registered Will makes the asset distribution process much faster and easier. While foreign Wills may be recognized, they require lengthy legal processes, translations, and approvals. A UAE Will provides immediate legal clarity for local courts.

You should consider a UAE Will if you have:

• Minor children residing in the UAE
• Property or real estate in the UAE
• Bank accounts (sole or joint) in the UAE
• End-of-service benefits, gratuity, or insurance policies
• Investments, shares, or business interests in the UAE
• Any desire for your spouse/nominee to access accounts without legal hassles

Your UAE Will can cover:

• Real Estate: Residential/commercial property, land
• Financial Assets: Bank accounts, savings, current accounts, fixed deposits
• Investments: Stocks, shares, bonds, mutual funds, insurance policies
• Personal Property: Vehicles, jewelry, furniture, art, antiques
• Employment Benefits: End-of-service benefits, gratuity, death-in-service benefits
• Business Interests: Company shares, partnerships
• Future Assets: Any assets you may acquire in the future (with Generic Will)

Yes! Muslim expatriates can register Wills at the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department (ADJD) through the Civil Family Court. This allows Muslim expats to choose their beneficiaries and asset distribution, overriding default Sharia inheritance rules.

ADJD (Abu Dhabi) is recommended because:

• Lowest registration costs (AED 950)
• Covers assets throughout the UAE
• Streamlined process with dedicated family court division
• 10-15 minute video call with judge
• No physical presence required in Abu Dhabi
• Simpler probate process

DIFC is better if:

• You have significant international assets
• You prefer English-only proceedings
• Cost is not a primary concern

No. A Will registered in any UAE court covers assets located anywhere in the UAE. An ADJD Will registered in Abu Dhabi fully covers your Dubai properties, bank accounts, and other assets.

Based on Asset Ownership:

• Single Will: When you own 100% of assets individually
• Mirror Will: For couples with shared/joint assets – two separate but nearly identical Wills

Based on Asset Specification:

• Generic Will: Covers all current and future assets automatically (recommended)
• Specific Will: Lists particular assets only; requires new Will for any additions/deletions

Mirror Wills are two separate Wills for married couples with almost identical provisions. They’re ideal when:

• Both spouses have assets in the UAE
• You have joint bank accounts or property
• You want similar distribution patterns

Benefits: Discounted pricing, lower combined registration fees, comprehensive family protection

Generic Will is recommended because:

• Automatically includes future assets
• No need to update when you acquire new assets
• More comprehensive protection
• Cost-effective over time

Specific Will only if you want to leave particular items to specific people while excluding other assets from the Will.

• Testator: You – the person making the Will
• Executors: People who will execute your Will after death and manage assets
• Beneficiaries: People who will receive your assets
• Guardians: People who will care for your minor children (if under 21 years)

You can appoint multiple Executors with layers of backup:

• Primary Executor: Your first choice (often spouse)
• Secondary Executor: Backup if primary cannot serve
• Tertiary Executor: Additional backup option

Recommendation: Appoint at least 2 Executors for security

Yes, and it’s often advisable to designate a beneficiary as Executor since they have a vested interest in proper estate administration.

Guardian Types:

• Permanent Guardian: Ultimate responsibility until child reaches 21 (can be non-UAE resident)
• Interim Guardian: Temporary care until Permanent Guardian assumes custody (must be UAE resident)

Important Limitation: A single male who is not a blood relative cannot be sole guardian – must be appointed jointly with female spouse per UAE public policy.

Executors have broad powers including:

• Full authority to manage, sell, or transfer assets
• Power to retain or liquidate investments
• Authority to pay debts and funeral expenses
• Ability to make distributions to beneficiaries
• Right to appoint legal representation
• Power to accumulate income for minor beneficiaries

For Testator (you):

• Passport copy
• Emirates ID copy (if UAE resident)
• UAE residential address (DEWA bill not required)

For Spouse and Children:

• Passport copies
• Emirates ID copies (if applicable)

For Executors and Guardians:

• Passport copies
• Emirates ID copies (if UAE residents)
• For non-residents: Passport copy is sufficient

• ADJD (Abu Dhabi): No witnesses required – only testator signature needed
• DIFC: Requires 2 witnesses during video call registration
• Dubai Court: Witnesses required
• ADGM: No witnesses required for video call registration

• Draft preparation based on your requirements
• Detailed review with you to finalize all provisions
• Legal translation into Arabic (ADJD/Dubai Court)
• Submit documents and payment to the court portal
• Video call with the judge for identity verification
• Registered Will delivered via email within 24-48 hours

ADJD and Dubai court now offer remote registration via video call. The entire process can be completed from your home or office without visiting any court physically.

Complete timeline: 1-3 months from document submission to registered Will

• Draft preparation: 3 working days
• Translation (if required): 2-3 days
• Court processing: 2-3 days
• Video call with the judge: 1-3 months (depending on availability)

Alpha Quantum Group All-Inclusive Packages:

Includes: Drafting, legal review, court fees, Arabic translation, registration, consultations.

No ongoing fees. Once registered, your Will remains valid indefinitely unless you choose to amend or revoke it.

• DIFC: Can amend existing Will for nominal fee
• ADJD/Dubai Court: Requires complete re-registration with new fees
• Cost: Similar to original registration costs, depending on the complexity of changes

ALL bank accounts in the UAE (including joint accounts) are automatically frozen upon death under Article 379 of the UAE Civil Code.

Accounts remain frozen until the court provides distribution orders. Having a UAE Will doesn’t prevent freezing, but makes the unfreezing process much faster for your family.

Yes! Anyone owning assets in the UAE can make a UAE Will. A valid passport is the only document required.

UAE residency is not mandatory.

Your Will must specify:

• Permanent Guardians: Who will have long-term custody
• Interim Guardians: Who will provide immediate care (must be UAE residents)
• Financial provisions: How assets will be managed for minors
• Age restrictions: Assets held in trust until age 21

• DIFC Will: Can include some international assets (subject to local laws)
• ADJD/Dubai Court Will: Covers UAE assets only
• Recommendation: Consult with lawyers in other jurisdictions to ensure international Will recognition

Your Will should include contingency provisions specifying:

• Alternative beneficiaries
• How that person’s share should be redistributed
• Whether it goes to their children or other beneficiaries
• Proportional redistribution among remaining beneficiaries

If you still have assets in the UAE, your UAE Will remains valid for those assets even if you’re no longer a resident. However, guardianship provisions for children may be governed by your new country of residence.

Probate is the legal process where a court validates your Will and authorizes asset distribution. In the UAE:

• ADJD Wills: Probate through Abu Dhabi Civil Family Court
• Dubai Court Wills: Probate through Dubai Courts
• DIFC Wills: Probate through DIFC Courts (faster process)

UAE law governs your UAE Will.

Your Will should include specific language such as:

“This Will is governed by Article 17 of Federal Law No. (5) of 1985 on Civil Transactions Law of the UAE. Sharia Law shall not apply in any circumstances.”

Yes, like anywhere else, Wills can be contested if:

• There are doubts about validity
• Claims of duress or undue influence
• Disputes over mental capacity when signed
• Discrepancies in the document

Protection: Proper legal drafting and registration minimize contestation risks

You can revoke your Will at any time during your lifetime by:

• Creating a new Will (automatically revokes previous UAE Wills)
• Filing a formal revocation document with the court
• Working with legal professionals to ensure proper revocation procedures

Insurance proceeds are distributed according to:

• First priority: Existing beneficiary nominations on insurance policies
• Second priority: If no nominations exist, your Will provisions apply

Recommendation: Ensure beneficiary nominations on insurance policies align with your Will

Your Will can include:

• Shares in UAE companies
• Partnership interests
• Business assets and equipment
• Intellectual property rights

Important: Consider business succession planning alongside your Will to ensure smooth business transition

• Joint Bank Accounts: Still frozen upon death despite joint ownership
• Joint Property: Your share transfers according to your Will
• Recommendation: Mirror Wills for couples with joint assets ensure comprehensive coverage

Your Will should address:

• Digital currency holdings
• Online investment accounts
• Access credentials and recovery information
• Appointment of tech-savvy Executors

Note: Ensure Executors have necessary information to access digital assets

Yes, your Will can include:

• Donations to religious organizations
• Charitable foundation contributions
• Specific religious ceremony requirements
• Zakat or tithing provisions

We can expedite the process:

• Rush drafting: 24-48 hours
• Emergency registration: Within 3-5 days
• Bedside consultation: Available if necessary

Additional fees apply for urgent processing

Common Errors:

• Not updating Will after major life changes (marriage, children, divorce)
• Choosing Executors who live far away or are very elderly
• Not informing family members about Will existence
• Failing to coordinate with foreign Wills
• Not reviewing beneficiary nominations on insurance/retirement accounts

Recommended: Inform key family members about:

• Existence of your Will
• Location of the registered Will
• Who your Executors are
• General distribution intentions

Don’t share: Specific asset values or detailed distributions if privacy is important

• Schedule a free consultation to discuss your specific situation
• We’ll recommend the best registration option for your circumstances
• Gather required documents
• Review and approve Will draft
• Complete registration process

Contact us: [email protected]
+971 4 558 4851

Essential Information:

• List of UAE assets (approximate values)
• Preferred beneficiaries and percentages
• Potential Executors and Guardians
• Passport/Emirates ID copies
• Any existing foreign Wills
• Specific wishes or concerns

Review triggers:

• Marriage or divorce
• Birth or adoption of children
• Death of beneficiaries or Executors
• Significant asset changes
• Change in UAE residency status
• Every 3-5 years as a best practice

With a UAE Will, your family will:

• Present the Will to the appropriate court
• Provide death certificate and required documents
• Court reviews and validates the Will
• Court issues distribution orders
• Banks and institutions release assets per court orders

Timeline: 2-4 weeks with proper Will vs. 6-12 months without

Our advantages:

• ADGM-licensed financial services group
• 15+ years combined legal experience
• Transparent, all-inclusive pricing
• Remote registration capability
• Ongoing support for Will amendments
• Comprehensive estate planning expertise
• 1,000+ successful Will registrations completed