Wills in Dubai and the UAE
Protect your family and make sure your assets pass as you intend, with a will that is valid, registered and easy to act on.
Non-Muslim residents and investors in the UAE can make a will that sets out who inherits their UAE assets and who becomes guardian of their children. Without one, assets can be frozen and distributed in ways you would not choose.
We help you decide which kind of will fits your assets and family, draft it, guide its registration with the right registry, and keep it up to date as your life changes.
How we can help
Drafting and registering wills
We help you choose between the available routes, such as the DIFC Wills Service, the courts of Dubai or Abu Dhabi, or a notarised will, and prepare the will for registration.
Guardianship and succession planning
Naming guardians for minor children is one of the most important parts of a UAE will, alongside planning how property, accounts and business interests will pass.
Updating or revoking existing wills
Marriage, divorce, new children and new property can all change what your will should say. We review and update it, and revoke older wills properly.
Estate administration and inheritance matters
For families dealing with a death, we explain the probate and inheritance process and help with the steps to access assets.
From first call to resolution
List assets and family
Property, accounts, vehicles and business interests in the UAE and elsewhere, and the people you want to provide for.
Choose the will
We compare the registration routes for your situation and explain the costs and timelines.
Draft and sign
We draft the will and arrange signing in the form the registry requires.
Register and review
We guide registration and remind you to review the will when your circumstances change.
Why a will matters in the UAE
For non-Muslims, the UAE now offers civil rules on inheritance and the option of registering a will. Without a valid will, bank accounts can be frozen, property transfers delayed and guardianship of children decided by the court rather than by you. A will registered in the UAE, alongside a will in your home country for assets there, gives your family a clear path.
Which will is right for you
The right choice depends on where your assets are, whether you own property, and whether you also have assets in India or elsewhere. Our guide to wills in the UAE for non-Muslim expatriates compares the options in detail. For Muslim clients, inheritance generally follows Islamic law, and we can advise on what planning is possible.
Wills: your questions
If you have assets or children in the UAE, a will is strongly advisable. It lets you choose who inherits and who looks after your children, and helps your family access assets quickly.
They are registered with different authorities and have different procedures, costs and language requirements. Our guide compares them, and we advise which suits your assets.
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.
Fees are quoted after the first consultation, once we know your assets and the route you choose. Registry fees are separate.
Who you will work with
Guides on this topic
Related practice areas
Let’s talk about your matter.
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