A will is one of the most loving documents you will ever sign. It ensures your family is provided for exactly as you intend, spares them uncertainty at the worst possible time, and — for parents — settles the single most important question of all: who will care for your children. Planning today is a gift to those you leave behind.
For non-Muslim expatriates, a registered will is not a luxury; it is the mechanism by which you keep control. Under Federal Decree-Law No. 41 of 2022, a non-Muslim may make a will disposing of their UAE assets as they wish, and registered wills are given effect by the courts. Without one, default rules apply — and while the civil law’s defaults are more familiar to Western expectations than the previous regime, they may still diverge sharply from your actual wishes, particularly in blended families or where you intend to provide for someone outside the default classes of heirs.
The UAE offers several registration routes, each with its own advantages: the DIFC Wills Service Centre operates a common-law framework covering assets across the UAE, with options including full wills, property wills, and guardianship wills; Dubai Courts and the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department offer notarised will registration; and the right choice depends on your assets, nationality, family structure, and budget. A well-drafted will should also appoint interim and permanent guardians for minor children — without which guardianship falls to be determined by law and the courts rather than by you.
For Muslims, estate planning operates within the Sharia framework: a will (wasiyya) may dispose of up to one-third of the estate to non-heirs, and lifetime structuring — gifts, trusts and foundations, company arrangements, and nominations — can lawfully shape how wealth passes. Estate planning is equally vital for business owners of any faith, whose shares can otherwise be frozen at precisely the moment the business needs direction.
Draft and register wills through DIFC, Dubai Courts, or Abu Dhabi Judicial Department as appropriate
Include guardianship provisions ensuring your children are cared for by the people you choose
Structure Muslim estates lawfully through the one-third wasiyya, gifts, and corporate planning
Coordinate UAE wills with wills covering assets in your home country to avoid conflict
Review and update existing wills after marriage, divorce, births, or major asset changes
Who this applies to: Expatriate residents with assets or children in the UAE, parents of minor children, business owners and shareholders, Muslims seeking lawful estate structuring, and anyone whose existing will predates recent changes in UAE law.
See also: Inheritance, Probate & Estate Matters.
This page is provided for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. All matters are handled with strict confidentiality. Law references last reviewed July 2026.
Confidential, and free for your first review.
Call the firm+971 50 887 2523Email usinfo@abrlaw.comWhatsAppChat with our team