If you are an expatriate living in the UAE and own property, bank accounts, or other assets here, your family could face serious legal complications after your passing without a properly registered Will. In the absence of a Will, UAE courts apply Sharia principles to asset distribution — a process that can differ significantly from the inheritance laws in your home country.
At GRG Corporate Services, we help expatriates understand their options and register a legally valid Will that protects their family's future and reflects their personal wishes.
1. Guardianship of Minor Children
If you have children under 18, a registered Will allows you to formally appoint legal guardians. Without this, the surviving spouse is not automatically recognized as the sole legal guardian under UAE law.
2. Protecting Real Estate Assets
Real estate owned in the UAE is treated differently from movable assets. A registered Will is required to ensure your property passes to the beneficiaries of your choice rather than being distributed by default rules.
3. Choosing Your Own Beneficiaries
A UAE Will lets you name primary and alternate beneficiaries, giving you control over how your estate is divided among family, friends, or charitable causes.
4. Faster, Simpler Probate Process
Registered Wills significantly reduce the time, cost, and legal complexity your family would otherwise face when settling your estate through the courts.
DIFC Wills Service was established specifically for non-Muslims with assets in the UAE. It offers a clear, English-common-law-based legal framework, and the probate process is generally faster and more straightforward than other court routes.
ADJD Wills (registered through the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department) are suitable for individuals with assets across multiple emirates, including Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, and the Northern Emirates.
Eligibility for both options requires the applicant to be a non-Muslim, over 18 years old, with assets located in or connected to the UAE. Our advisors can help you determine which registration route best fits your personal situation.
A Single Will is designed for one individual and covers the distribution of personal assets, guardianship appointments, and specific bequests.
A Mirror Will is a pair of matching Wills typically used by married couples, where each spouse names the other (and often the same alternate guardians and executors) — usually more cost-effective than preparing two separate Wills.
• Leaving guardianship provisions vague or unassigned
• Not accounting for real estate assets separately from movable assets
• Failing to name alternate beneficiaries and executors
• Drafting a Will without professional legal guidance, risking non-compliance with UAE requirements
• Delaying registration — assets and accounts are frozen upon death until a court order is issued
Our team assists expatriates through every step of the Will writing and registration process — from initial consultation and asset assessment to final registration with the relevant UAE authority.
If you would like to discuss your options for registering a Will in the UAE, our advisors are ready to guide you through the process.
We look forward to helping you protect your family's future.