Insights

Wills in the UAE for non-Muslim expatriates

Why a UAE will matters, the registration options compared, and how to make sure it works alongside a will at home.

Guide · Wills · Updated 28 October 2026 · 10 min read

In short

Non-Muslim residents and property owners in the UAE can register a will that decides who inherits their UAE assets and who becomes guardian of their children. The main options are the DIFC Courts Wills Service, a will registered with the Dubai Courts or the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department's non-Muslim wills office, and a notarised will.

Which route suits you depends on where your assets are, the language you want the will in, the cost and how probate would work. A separate will for assets in India or elsewhere, consistent with the UAE will, is usually wise.

Why a UAE will matters

When someone dies in the UAE without a will, their bank accounts can be frozen, property transfers delayed and decisions about their children left to the court. For non-Muslims, the UAE now provides civil rules on inheritance, including a federal civil personal status law, but those default rules may not match what you would choose. A will lets you decide who inherits, who manages the estate and who looks after your children, and it gives your family a clear process to follow.

The main options compared

Option	Language	Good for	Points to note
DIFC Courts Wills Service	English	Residents and investors with assets in the UAE, including property, accounts and business interests	Common law style will, with probate through the DIFC Courts. Higher registration fee than court notary routes.
Dubai Courts	Arabic, often with English	Dubai assets	Signed before a court notary; lower fees than DIFC.
Abu Dhabi Judicial Department, non-Muslim wills	English and Arabic	Non-Muslims in Abu Dhabi and beyond	Registered with the dedicated office for non-Muslim wills and probate.
ADGM Courts	English, bilingual	Abu Dhabi-based assets	Probate goes through the Abu Dhabi courts.

Scope, fees and procedures change. We confirm the current position with the registry for your situation before you sign.

Guardianship of children

For parents, naming a guardian is often the most important part of a UAE will. Without one, the court will decide who cares for your children if both parents die or are unable to act. A will can name a permanent guardian and a temporary guardian who can act straight away, which matters if family members live abroad.

Assets in India and elsewhere

A UAE will is usually best limited to UAE assets, with a separate will in India for Indian property, accounts and investments. The two should be drafted together so that one does not accidentally revoke the other, and so the executors and beneficiaries are consistent. Our team works with our parent firm in India on exactly this.

How to make a will

List your assets in the UAE and abroad, and any debts.
Decide your beneficiaries, executors and, if you have children, guardians.
Choose the registration route that fits your assets and language.
Have the will drafted in the form that registry requires.
Sign it with the required witnesses or before the notary, and register it.
Review it after marriage, divorce, the birth of a child or a major purchase.

Choosing executors

An executor collects your assets, pays your debts and distributes the estate. Choose someone you trust who is likely to be available, and consider naming a replacement in case your first choice cannot act. For estates with assets in more than one country, a professional executor or one in each country can make the process faster.

For Muslim clients

For Muslims, inheritance in the UAE generally follows Islamic law, which fixes shares for family members. There is still useful planning to do, for example within the share that can be left freely, and in arranging guardianship and the practical management of the estate. We can advise on what is possible.

This guide is general information about UAE law and practice as at the date above, not legal advice for your situation. Procedures and fees change. For advice on your matter, contact us.

FAQ

Questions people ask

No, but without one your family may face frozen accounts, delays and court decisions about guardianship. For anyone with assets or children in the UAE, a will is strongly advisable.

Registry fees vary by route, with DIFC registration generally costing more than court notary routes. Our drafting fee is quoted after the first consultation.

Yes, through the DIFC Wills Service and the Abu Dhabi non-Muslim wills office, among others. Court notary routes may require Arabic.

It may not be practical to rely on it. A separate UAE will for UAE assets, consistent with your Indian will, is usually the safer approach.

For non-Muslims: DIFC wills, wills registered with the Dubai Courts or the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department, ADGM wills and notarised wills. The right one depends on your assets and family.