Table of Contents
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why do expats need a will in the UAE?
Without a registered will, the UAE defaults to Sharia law for asset distribution, which may not match the expat’s personal wishes or family circumstances. A will puts you in control, ensuring your assets go where you intend and your children are cared for by the people you trust.
2. What happens if I die without a will in the UAE?
If you, as an expat, pass away without a will, local courts will follow Sharia-based inheritance laws. This could lead to frozen bank accounts, unexpected guardianship decisions, and fixed asset distribution.
3. Can expats make a will in the UAE?
Yes, even non-Muslim expats can legally make a will in the UAE and register it through DIFC Wills Service Centre or Abu Dhabi Judicial Department (ADJD) to ensure civil law applies to their UAE assets.
4. How does DIFC Courts Will Registration work?
DIFC Courts Will Registration is a legal service for non-Muslim expats in Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah. It lets you write and register your will in English and ensures your wishes are honored under common law principles.
5. Is a UAE-registered will, valid for overseas assets?
A UAE will typically cover UAE-based assets. If you have international assets, it’s recommended to create separate wills in each jurisdiction, clearly stating what each will covers to avoid legal conflicts.
6. How do I make a will in the UAE as an expat?
To make a will in the UAE, hire a certified legal professional, gather documents, list your assets, name guardians and executors, and register the will through DIFC courts or ADJD to make it legally enforceable.
7. Does a will protect my business in the UAE?
Yes. A registered will ensures your shares or business assets are passed on as per your instructions, helping avoid disputes and ensuring smooth continuity or sale of your company.
Topic Summary
1. Avoid Default Sharia Law Application
In the absence of a valid will, the UAE Courts apply Sharia law for inheritance matters, which may not align with an expat’s personal wishes, particularly concerning non-Muslim assets and heirs.
2. Ensure Clear Asset Distribution
A properly drafted will explicitly states how your assets—such as property, savings, and investments—are to be distributed, preventing potential disputes among beneficiaries and reducing legal complexities.
3. Protect Property Ownership Rights
Given the unique property ownership regulations in the UAE, a will can safeguard your ownership rights and clarify succession arrangements, especially for assets held in freehold areas or business holdings.
4. Facilitate Smooth Business Continuity
For expats who run businesses in the UAE, a will ensures that business interests are passed on according to your plan, maintaining operational stability and protecting the company’s future.
5. Simplify the Probate Process
Having a legally recognised will expedites the probate procedure with UAE authorities, minimising administrative delays and costs for your heirs when settling your estate.
Why Expats Should Consider Making a Will in the UAE
Living in the UAE comes with countless advantages: world-class lifestyle, tax benefits, and a thriving business environment. But there's one area many expats overlook: estate planning.
Per the DIFC Courts Wills Service via Motei & Associates¹, 922 wills were registered in H1 2025 alone, a 14 percent year-on-year increase, bringing total registrations to over 13,400 since inception. Yet millions of expats in the UAE still don't have a registered will.
If you have a family, own property, or run a business in the UAE, a will isn't just a legal formality. It's essential. Without one, local laws may determine how your assets are distributed, and that might not reflect your wishes.
Asset protection in the UAE starts with structure. The right business setup gives you limited liability, shields your personal assets, and ensures full ownership. Meydan Free Zone provides that foundation, and a will takes the next step by securing your personal and family future.
This blog explores why every expat in the UAE should consider drafting a will, and how it works hand in hand with smart business planning.
[blockCTACostCalculator]
Understanding Wills in the UAE
A Will in the UAE is a legal document that outlines how a person’s assets and property will be distributed after their death, and may also include instructions for the guardianship of minor children.
- Asset distribution: How a person’s assets and property will be distributed after their death.
- Guardianship instructions: Who should care for minor children if guardianship needs to be decided.
- Inheritance clarity: What should happen to family, property, savings, investments, or business interests.
- Default legal process: Without a Will, local inheritance laws may apply, which can affect how assets are divided and how guardianship is determined.
[blockCTANameCheck]
Why You Should Have a Will in the UAE
The UAE is home to over 8 million expatriates, many of whom have built families, careers, businesses, and assets while living here. For expats, ensuring these assets are protected is an important part of long-term planning.
Millions of expats live in the UAE, but only a fraction have a registered will. Here's what the numbers say.
Data sourced from Motei & Associates / DIFC Courts Wills Service (H1 2025) and UAE Advisor Guide (February 2026).
Inheritance in the UAE is governed by Sharia Law, which applies by default unless a registered will is in place. Here’s what you need to know about how inheritance works in the UAE, and why putting a will in place is one of the most important steps for securing your family’s future:
[blockFaqsCategory]
| Registration Option | Details |
|---|---|
| DIFC Courts Wills Service Centre | An English-language service for Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah. It’s a secure and legal way to make sure your wishes are followed. |
| Abu Dhabi Judicial Department (ADJD) | Another trusted option for expats to register their wills in the UAE. |
[blockCTABizActivityList]
How To Make a Will in the UAE
Making a will in the UAE is a crucial part of protecting your assets. Here are some steps for expats to make a will.
[blockAccordionSteps]
[blockCTAFawri]
Civil Law: UAE Inheritance Laws for Expatriates
In the UAE, inheritance is generally governed by Sharia law, this means asset distribution is governed by fixed shares based on Islamic principles, unless there is a valid registered will which says otherwise.
For non-Muslim expats used to different inheritance rules, this can come as a surprise. Thanks to the Federal Decree-Law No. 41 of 2022, non-Muslim expats can avoid the default Sharia-based distribution and clearly decide to opt for a civil inheritance system. Civil inheritance law gives them equal distribution of assets and allows for personal choices.
If you do not make a will, the law now defaults to a 50/50 split between spouse and children, male or female, equally.
[blockCTATradeLicense]
Protect Your Legacy with Meydan Free Zone
Starting your business and acquiring assets in the UAE is a major milestone. A registered will safeguards your loved ones, prevents inheritance disputes, and guarantees your assets are distributed according to your wishes, even when you’re not here to oversee them. For entrepreneurs, it means your company can operate or be sold without legal hurdles.
At Meydan Free Zone, we support you at every stage, from launching your company in under 60 minutes, to 100% foreign ownership, 24/7 expert assistance and guidance on will registration and succession planning.
Because true success isn’t just about what you build, it’s about how well you protect it.
Citations
¹ DIFC Courts Wills Service, via Motei & Associates, "DIFC Wills registrations rise 14 percent in H1 2025," July 2025.
