Short version
For non-Muslim residents, a DIFC Wills Service registration is the practical standard for full estate coverage. Dubai Courts (Non-Muslim Wills Section) covers Dubai real estate only — many families have both. Muslim residents can draft Sharia-compliant Wills that work within the one-third testamentary portion. We coordinate drafting, signing, and registration.
What POA in 30 Handles for Wills
POA in 30 assists with the document preparation and notarization required for Will registration through Dubai Courts (Non-Muslim Wills Section). For DIFC Wills Service registration — which has its own separate application process and fees — we can provide guidance on the requirements, but the registration is completed through the DIFC Wills Service Centre directly.
DIFC Will (Non-Muslims)
- Registered with the DIFC Wills Service Centre — governed by English common law
- Covers UAE assets (property, bank accounts, business interests, guardianship)
- Full Will: covers all UAE assets — recommended for most expatriates
- Property Will: covers UAE real estate only — lower cost option
- Guardianship Will: names guardian for minor children in the UAE
Dubai Courts Will (Muslims and Non-Muslims)
- Registered with the Dubai Personal Status Court — governs assets under UAE law
- Available to Muslims and non-Muslims; Islamic inheritance rules apply for Muslims
- Lower registration cost than DIFC — suitable for simpler estate structures
- For non-Muslims: Federal Decree-Law No. 41 of 2024 allows home-country law to govern
- Can be notarized through Dubai Courts or the UAE Ministry of Justice via a video call
Dying Without a UAE Will — What Happens to Your Assets
For Muslim expatriates and UAE nationals: UAE Sharia inheritance law applies automatically — assets are distributed according to Islamic rules regardless of any foreign will. For non-Muslim expatriates: without a UAE-registered will, UAE courts apply the law of the deceased's home country to UAE assets — but this process can take months or years, freezing UAE bank accounts and real estate in the meantime. A UAE-registered will eliminates the freeze, names your executor, and ensures your UAE assets go where you intend.
Documents we will ask you for
- Passport copies of the testator
- Emirates ID (if held)
- List of major assets — property title deeds, bank accounts, investments
- Family structure — spouse, children (names, ages, nationalities)
- Preferred executors and guardians
- Distribution wishes — who gets what share
- Any existing Will in another jurisdiction
What Happens If You Die Without a Registered Will in Dubai
Default Rules Apply If No Will Is Registered
For non-Muslim expatriates who die without a registered will in Dubai, UAE courts may apply Sharia inheritance principles to UAE-based assets by default. This means assets may not be distributed according to the deceased's wishes or according to the law of their home country. Registering a will — whether through the DIFC Wills Service or Dubai Courts — ensures your estate is handled according to your expressed instructions.
What a Dubai Will Typically Covers
- UAE-based real estate — apartments, villas, commercial property.
- UAE bank accounts and financial assets held locally.
- Vehicles and personal property registered in the UAE.
- Guardianship instructions for minor children resident in the UAE.
- Appointment of executor — the person responsible for carrying out the will.
— Frequently asked
Plain answers to the questions we hear most.
Under default UAE banking regulations, a joint account is typically frozen upon the death of one account holder until the inheritance court issues a ruling. A registered Will expedites the legal process to unfreeze the funds for your surviving spouse.
If your assets are diverse (cash, cars, business shares, and real estate), a DIFC Full Will is the comprehensive choice. If your only major asset in Dubai is a single apartment or villa and you don't have significant cash tied up locally, a Dubai Courts Wills Registry property will is a faster and more cost-effective option.
No. As long as you own assets (like a property or bank account) located within Dubai or Ras Al Khaimah, you can register a Will to protect those specific assets, regardless of your current residency status or location.
The DIFC Wills Service is intended for non-Muslims. Muslim residents in the UAE are governed by Sharia principles for inheritance, and their wills follow a different process through the standard UAE court system. If you are unsure which framework applies to your situation, contact us and we can point you in the right direction.
A will registered through DIFC or Dubai Courts primarily governs UAE-based assets. For assets in other countries, separate wills or estate planning instruments in those jurisdictions are typically required. We advise clients to register a UAE will for their UAE assets and consult estate planners in their home countries for assets held elsewhere.