Wills are the instruments used to protect one’s rights and the future of beneficiaries. It is drafted for many reasons and as per the wish of a testator. If you are a Non-Muslim expat and possess assets located in the UAE, it is highly advisable to register a Will in the UAE. Failure to register a Will in the UAE could potentially threaten your family’s inheritance rights and may subject them to the application of Sharia law. In the light of these, a Will registration in Dubai is very crucial.
Things to Note before Drafting and Registering a Will
Before the registration of your Will, ensure that your Will is accurately drafted by experienced legal professionals.
Expats can choose any of the given authorities to register a Will in the UAE:
- DIFC Wills Service Center
DIFC Wills is for Non-Muslim Expats and covers all the assets located in the UAE and outside the UAE.
- Dubai Courts and Abu Dhabi Judicial Department (ADJD)
Dubai Court has the authority to register all the Wills belonging to both Muslim and Non-Muslim expats. Dubai Court Registered Will covers assets located in all Emirates. Non-Muslim with assets located in Abu Dhabi has the option to draft a Will and get it to register through ADJD.
All documents submitted in Dubai Courts and ADJD needs to be translated into Arabic.
Registration Steps
- Book an appointment either in person or through the official online portal
- Submission of necessary documents
- Pre-registration checks
- Registration of Wills
Documents needed for the registration stages:
- Carefully drafted Will
- Emirates ID
- Passport (copy or originals)
- Documents to prove the ownership of the bequeathed property
- Others as demanded by the respective registering authorities
Our in-house experienced multilingual lawyers can understand your needs and will draft a Will to represent your desires and your best interest.
For more details on how to proceed with Drafting and Registration, Please don’t hesitate to contact us.