Wills Preparation in UAE

Ensure protection under UAE inheritance laws

When planning legally recognized Will in the UAE isn't just good planning; it is paramount, especially for expatriates. Without a valid Will, your estate may be disposed of in accordance with Shariah law that may directly contradict your wishes personally or the wishes of your culture. Your estate could then be distributed without your wishes considered, defendant splits among heirs, challenging court processing and guardian includes for minor children. Regardless of whether you own property, have children, hold shares in a business, or have savings in the UAE, a Will clarifies your wishes and legally represents your intentions respecting your estate, thereby allowing you and your family peace of mind.
At dubaisetupnow we focus on providing legally binding wills which give peace of mind to UAE residents, property owners and businesspeople alike. Our legal team fully understands the personal and commercial considerations of expatriates living in the UAE. We will ensure that your will is accepted and recognized by either the Dubai Courts, the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department (ADJD) or the DIFC Wills Service Centre - whichever applies to your individual situation. Whether the finalisation of lifestyle aspects like appointing guardians for minor children, explaining inherited elements of international property ownership, protecting shares in a business or ensuring one of your family members or friends will oversee the distribution of your estate, an expedited documentation will provide better results and won't leave anything ambiguous to family or beneficiaries about the actions they need to take (if any are delivered a will).

Secure Your Family’s Future – Register Your UAE Will Today

Are your loved ones protected in the event of the unexpected?
A legally recognized will is more than a document—it’s your voice, your legacy, and your final word on how your estate is handled.

At dubaisetupnow, we help expats, business owners, and families across the UAE draft, register, and protect their wills with legal accuracy and personal clarity. Whether you’re safeguarding your property, ensuring guardianship for your children, or planning international asset succession—we’ve got you covered.

Fully compliant with DIFC, ADJD & Dubai Courts,Quick, confidential, and cost-transparent process,End-to-end estate planning with global asset coverage

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Why Is Will Preparation Crucial in the UAE?

Making a will that is legally enforceable in the UAE provides numerous protections; it is far more than simply allocating your assets. First, it means you do not have to accept the default, and likely unwanted, application of Shariah inheritance law, which applies automatically in the absence of a will, even to non-Muslims. Your assets may not be disposed of according to your wishes or your family situation. Second, ideally people with children may establish legal guardianship for children under 18, as without a will your intended temporary and permanent guardians may not be appointed without delay and uncertainty in court. Third, if you are a business owner/shareholder, providing a will permits you specify succession (or sale) of your interest in a business. No continuity, shareholder dispute, or interruption to operations. In addition, a registered will is valuable as it enhances the efficiency and effectiveness of the probate and transfer of assets process. It gives a clear and uncomplicated legal path for your family, when at a difficult time. Finally, for expatriates with properties, accounts or investments across borders, we provide international estate planning solutions that are technically sound to coordinate the succession of your global assets at law, giving you peace of mind, and your beneficiaries protection.

Complete Will Drafting Support

What Does Our Wills Preparation in UAE Service Include?

Consultation with estate experts

Get personalized advice and legal assistance from experts in surplus/estate laws and wills, inheritance, and estate planning in the UAE. We understand your family structure, nationality, and what you own, and we get to the optimal compliant and secure solution available.

Will drafting per UAE laws

Depending on your residency, the relevant jurisdictions for the will will range from the Dubai Courts, Abu Dhabi Judicial Department (ADJD), or the DIFC Wills Service Centre, and we will prepare a will that fully complies will requirements for each of these legal paths.

Nominate minor’s guardian

Your will can specifically name both temporary and permanent guardians for your minor children and will eliminate the uncertainty of court assigned guardianship, ensure that your family is safeguarded, and your wishes are fulfilled if you are unable to do so.

Comprehensive personal asset listing

We will assist you to create and include a complete list of your UAE and international, assets, including real estate, shares in companies, cars, jewelry, digital wallets, cryptocurrencies etc., for simple, clear, and ultimately enforceable distribution.

Executor appointment & inheritance plan

Designate your trusted executors to manage and implement your will. We outline how each asset will be inherited, to reduce disputes and ambiguity for beneficiaries.

Will registration with UAE authorities

We manage and navigate the complete registration details of your will, whether under the DIFC (for non-Muslims), ADJD Wills registration in Abu Dhabi, or Dubai Notary Public-all to ensure that your will is legally valid and enforceable in the UAE courts.

Multilingual & Notary Support

We offer bilingual drafting (English-Arabic) and notary assistance with translation services needed to comply with the UAE laws, which is a great benefit for expat clients and multi-national families.

Joint/Mirror Wills for Couples

We prepare joint wills and mirror wills to ensure both partners or spouses are working toward the same goal-streamlining the transfer of assets and inheritance, especially for families who share inheritable assets or have dependants.

Business & Offshore Planning

If you are a business-owner or investor, we include customized succession clauses to ensure local companies or Free Zone businesses, and offshore assets offer a clear business trail, operational continuity, and lawfully passed business interests.

For Anyone with Assets

Who Needs a Will in the UAE?

Expatriate Families in UAE

Expatriates often support families in the UAE or abroad. A will ensures assets are distributed as per your wishes—not local Shariah law—and secures guardianship plans for your children if the unexpected happens.

UAE Residents with Assets

If you live in the UAE and own assets like property, vehicles, bank accounts, or company shares, a registered will ensures your assets are distributed as per your wishes and minimizes legal complications, preserving your legacy.

Married Couples with Minors

If you have children under 18, a will lets you appoint trusted guardians—so the court doesn’t decide for you. A joint or mirror will also gives your spouse clear guidance and helps avoid conflict during estate distribution.

Business Owners & Shareholders

Business planning for owners and shareholders enables them to facilitate a smooth succession of their business by allowing a will to specify ownership of the business to family, co-founders, as well as terms for transfer, sale or liquidation, with an aim to avoid disputes or interruption of business succession.

Digital & Crypto Asset Holders

As digital assets become more valuable (including cryptocurrencies, online accounts, NFTs and SaaS tools), estate planning is increasingly including the identification of these assets and their legal transfer access to heirs, and importantly, security.

Investors with Local or Global Assets

If you hold diversified investments in or outside the UAE—like real estate, equity, or ventures—a will ensures smooth cross-border asset transfer, names beneficiaries clearly, and helps avoid probate delays across multiple countries.

Know the Legal Impact

What Happens If You Die Without a Will in the UAE?

Without a registered will:

Your estate may be distributed as per Shariah law, not your personal wishes
Guardianship of your children may be decided by the court
Bank accounts and assets may be frozen during legal proceedings
Heirs may face lengthy delays, legal disputes, and uncertainty
Your global assets may not align with UAE inheritance processes

Flexible Licenses, Global Reach

What License Types & Business Activities Are Available in RAKEZ?

Dubaisetupnow can help you determine the best RAKEZ license considering your activity:

Commercial License – General trading, retail, import-export
Industrial License – Manufacturing, packaging, assembling
Service License – Marketing, legal, logistics and much more
E-Commerce License – Sell products online worldwide
Freelance Permit – Creative professionals, consultants
Dual License – To conduct in RAKEZ and the UAE mainland

We will help ensure that your license complies with the codes and regulations listed in RAKEZ permitted activity.

Wills for Every Need

Types of Wills We Help You Register

Single Will

A Single Will lets individuals decide asset distribution, appoint executors, and set guardianship wishes. It covers local and international assets and can be registered with Dubai Courts, ADJD, or DIFC.

Mirror Will

Ideal for couples, a Mirror Will allows spouses to leave assets to each other, appoint the same guardians/executors, and simplify estate planning with less administration and legal ambiguity.

Guardianship Will

The Guardianship Will focuses only on naming the temporary and permanent guardians for minor children. It is essential for expat families in the UAE to ensure that their children are cared for in accordance with their wishes, rather than default to the court.

Business Succession Will

A business succession will is specifically designed for entrepreneurs, business owners, and shareholders and outlines how business interests will be addressed or transferred after death. It assists with preventing partnership disputes, guarantees company succession, and clarifies the roles of family members or co-owners.

Asset Specific Wills

These wills are for use when the decedent wishes to give specific assets (such as a Dubai property, a bank account, or shares) to specified beneficiaries. These wills clarify the decedent's intent regarding assets and can diminish disputes and confusion concerning valuable assets.

Offshore & Global Asset Wills

If the testator owns properties, investments, or bank accounts outside the UAE, this type of will assists in planning for cross-border estates. They provide guidance on international assets and generally account for international legal requirements in the UAE and in other jurisdictions, which may help reduce the legal steps required during probate.

Start in Style Today

Why Choose dubaisetupnow for Will Preparation?

At dubaisetupnow, we go beyond form-filling—we provide personalized legal advisory for complete estate protection. Our team partners with licensed UAE will registration bodies (DIFC, ADJD, Dubai Courts ) to ensure your will is fully valid and enforceable.
We make will preparation:

Simple – Clear, guided process with expert support
Secure – Legally compliant with UAE and international standards
Flexible – Wills that reflect your family, wealth, and future goals
Fast – Express registration and document processing available
Transparent – No hidden legal fees or unnecessary complications

How Can We Help You?

Discover Frequently Asked Questions from Our Support

Can you register a valid will in the UAE if you're not a Muslim?

Yes, you're able to create and register a will as a non-Muslim in the UAE, using either the DIFC Wills Service Centre or the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department (ADJD). Both of these service centres allow expats to opt out of Shariah law, so you can distribute your assets as you wish, instead of Shariah law applying.

If I don't make a will in the UAE what will happen?

If you die in the UAE with no will, a local UAE court will automatically apply Shariah law. This may result in distributions that do not align with your wishes, appointing a court guardian for your children, and a lengthy access to your estate.

What is the difference between a DIFC Will and a Dubai Notary Will?

A DIFC Will is for non-Muslims and utilises common law principles, with the advantages of flexible asset distribution and registration in English. A Dubai Notary Will is registered through Dubai Courts and follows civil law procedures. We can provide advice based on your nationality and asset profile, to find the best option for you.

How do I add guardianship of my children to a UAE Will?

Yes, you can appoint both temporary and permanent guardians for your minor children in your will. This secures your wishes and ensures that the court respects your wishes. If it's not made clear, then your intentions may not be followed and you risk someone else being appointed.

Do business assets and shares in my company get passed on in a will?

Yes, as a shareholder or owner of a business in the UAE, your will can govern how your interest is passed on. In this way, you can ensure the succession process is smooth, that professional services are maintained, and that there are no legal disputes with stakeholders or family.

Can I add my crypto and digital asset details to a will?

Yes, we assist clients to document their digital assets in their wills e.g. cryptocurrencies, NFTs, online accounts and intellectual property. This allows your specified beneficiaries legal access and transfer of your digital assets with clear instructions on how to access your information.

Can we have one will for global and UAE assets?

While we can do this, we typically recommend two wills, in order to keep . . . the probate to a minimum. We create global estate planning strategies that meet the requirements of UAE inheritance law and the other applicable jurisdictions.

How long does it take to prepare and register a will in the UAE?

Usually 3 to 10 working days for the whole process from consultation to registration (depending on type of registration and whether there is a complex will). We also provide express services for urgent requests.

How often should I review my will in the UAE?

We recommend reviewing your will every 1-2 years, or after a big life event (marriage, children, moving, adding assets, etc.). Our team can provide any recommended changes at no charge and make sure you are registered accordingly.

Will my spouse and I have a joint registration of our mirror will?