Table of Contents
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Meydan Plus (mPlus) register a personal will?
This isn't what a business license does. Meydan Plus (mPlus) handles company formation and business licensing, while a personal will is registered with a competent wills authority. Treat the two as separate processes, and check the authority's current eligibility rules before you apply.
Which authority should I contact to register a will in the UAE?
This depends on your circumstances, the assets the will covers and where they are located. Compare the published eligibility criteria of the relevant UAE wills authorities. Then use the official application channel of the one that fits, and seek qualified advice if your situation is complex.
Does a Meydan Plus (mPlus) Business License count as a registered will?
No. A Business License, Certificate of Formation, Share Register and Memorandum and Articles of Association relate to your company only. They can’t establish or replace a personal will, so keep them in your corporate file and register your will separately.
What documents should I prepare before applying to register a will?
Gather the identity documents and personal details your chosen authority asks for. Organise information on your assets, beneficiaries and any appointed representatives. Ask the authority whether translations, specific formats or extra evidence are needed, and build a checklist from its official guidance.
How can I tell whether my will registration is complete?
A submission receipt alone doesn't mean registration is complete. Look for the authority's confirmation of registration, then check that names and details match what you submitted. Save the final will, registration evidence and fee receipts in a secure place.
How do I amend or revoke a registered will?
Each authority sets its own process for amendments, replacement documents and revocation. Note these steps when you register. Review your will after major changes, such as family or asset changes, and keep your personal estate records separate from company documents.
Topic Summary
Why a Registered Will Matters
Without a Will, the civil personal status law for non-Muslims (Federal Decree-Law 41 of 2022) decides how your estate is split. This can lock the estate until a court order is issued. For founders, that may leave the company unable to appoint a manager or change a bank signatory.
Check Your Eligibility
The Wills Registration service is open to Meydan Plus (mPlus) clients who are non-Muslim, aged 18 or over, and hold a valid Emirates ID. You will show your Emirates ID to the notary on camera. Confirm all three before you apply.
Pick a Single or Mirror Will
Select a Single Will if you are registering for yourself. Select a Mirror Will if you and a spouse or partner want matching Wills. This choice shapes the application from the next step.
List Assets and Beneficiaries
Write down what you own in the UAE and who should receive it. Ask for company shares, property (including off-plan), bank accounts and vehicles to be covered. You can leave everything under one rule or assign assets one by one.
Name Your Executor and Guardian
Your executor carries out your Will once the court confirms it. Any adult of full capacity who accepts the role can act, so name an alternate too. If you have children under 18, nominate a guardian and a backup.
Plan for Your Company Shares
Decide who takes your shares in your Meydan Plus (mPlus) company. This matters twice if you have a co-founder, because it tells your partner exactly who they will be working with. Review your Share Register before you apply.
Apply Online and Receive Your Will
Submit one application in the customer portal, then join a short video call with the notary. Success means you receive your notarised Will without lawyers, translation or court visits. Keep the record securely with your personal estate documents.
How to Register a Will in the UAE with Meydan Free Zone: Step-by-Step Guide
Registering a Will in the UAE used to mean finding a lawyer, arranging translation and attending court. For Meydan Free Zone clients, it now takes one application in the customer portal and a short video call.
This guide walks through each step of the Wills Registration service, from deciding who inherits your company shares to receiving your notarised Will.
Why Register a Will in the UAE
Non-Muslim expats in the UAE fall under the civil personal status law for non-Muslims (Federal Decree-Law 41 of 2022). Without a Will, that law decides how your estate is split: half to your spouse and half equally among your children.
Your estate is also locked until a court order is issued, and the court must first identify your legal heirs. For a founder, that can leave the company unable to appoint a manager or change its bank signatory. A registered Will gives the court your instructions, so it skips the search for heirs and follows your choices.
Step 1: Check Your Eligibility
Who Can Apply
The Wills Registration service is open to Meydan Free Zone clients who meet all of the following:
- Non-Muslim
- Aged 18 or over
- Hold a valid Emirates ID, which you will show to the notary on camera
Single Will or Mirror Will
Choose a Single Will if you are registering for yourself. Choose a Mirror Will if you and another person, such as a spouse or partner, want matching Wills. Fees are set out in our guide to the cost of making a Will in Dubai.
Step 2: Decide Your Wishes
List Your Assets and Beneficiaries
Write down what you own in the UAE and who should receive it. Include company shares, property (including off-plan), bank accounts and vehicles. You can leave everything under one rule or assign assets one by one.
Choose Your Executor
Your executor carries out your Will once the court confirms it. Any adult of full capacity who accepts the role, is not bankrupt and has no conviction for dishonesty can act. Name an alternate as well.
Name a Guardian for Your Children
If you have children under 18, nominate a guardian aged 18 or over, plus a backup. A minor can inherit, and their share is held in trust by the executor until they turn 18.
Plan for Your Company Shares
Decide who takes your shares in your Meydan Free Zone company. If you have a co-founder, this matters twice: it tells your partner exactly who they will be working with. Check your Share Register so the Will reflects what you own.
Step 3: Gather Your Documents
Documents Checklist
- Your Emirates ID
- Emirates ID or passport of each beneficiary
- Supporting documents for your assets, such as title deeds, share certificates or account details
Step 4: Apply in the Customer Portal
Submitting Your Application
- Log in to the Meydan Free Zone customer portal
- Select mPlus, then mAssist, then Wills Registration
- Fill in your application details and upload your documents
- Review your application and make payment
Step 5: Consultation and Your English Draft
Consultation With Our Service Provider
After you apply, our service provider walks you through your wishes and confirms your executor, guardian and distribution.
Review and Approve the Draft
You receive your English draft within 2 business days. Review it carefully. Once you approve it, a legal Arabic translation is prepared from that exact text, so you always know what your Will says.
Step 6: Notarise Your Will by Video Call
How Virtual Notarisation Works
Our service provider attends the Dubai Courts notary on your behalf. The notary video-calls you, you show your physical Emirates ID on camera, and your Will is notarised and registered. You never need to visit the court.
After Your Will Is Registered
Your Will stays valid from notarisation until it is carried out. Update it only if the people named or the distribution change, for example after a new child, a new shareholder or a property sale. When the time comes, the Will is carried out by court order, working from your instructions and your named executor.
Next Steps
If you own shares, property or accounts in the UAE, start by listing your assets and choosing your executor and guardian. Then apply for Wills Registration in your Meydan Free Zone customer portal.
Execution of any Will remains subject to court approval and procedures. This article is for general information and is not legal advice.
