Table of Contents
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Will registries are available to non-Muslims in the UAE?
The main options are Dubai Courts, the DIFC Courts Wills Service, the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department (ADJD) and ADGM.
What is the difference between a DIFC Will and a Dubai Courts Will?
A DIFC Will is registered in English under DIFC rules and probated by the DIFC Courts. A Dubai Courts Will is registered in Arabic under Dubai Law 15 of 2017 and carried out by Dubai Courts. Most expats approve an English version before it is translated.
Which registry is cheapest?
Registry fees vary, and most exclude drafting. Through Meydan Free Zone, a Dubai Courts Will costs a fixed AED 7,000 for a Single Will or AED 11,000 for a Mirror Will, including consultation, drafting, registration and notarisation.
Do I have to register my Will in the emirate where I live?
Not always, but your home emirate is usually the natural choice, especially if your assets are there. Dubai residents typically use Dubai Courts or the DIFC, and Abu Dhabi residents typically use ADJD or ADGM.
Does a UAE Will cover assets in my home country?
A UAE Will is designed for your UAE assets. Assets in other countries generally need a Will in those countries.
Can I register a Dubai Courts Will without visiting the court?
Yes, through Meydan Free Zone. The Dubai Courts notary notarises your Will by video call, and you show your physical Emirates ID on camera.
Who can use Meydan Free Zone’s Wills Registration service?
Non-Muslim Meydan Free Zone clients aged 18 or over with a valid Emirates ID.
Topic Summary
Four Registries, Four Frameworks
Non-Muslim expats can register a Will with the DIFC Courts Wills Service, Dubai Courts, ADJD or ADGM. Each has its own legal framework, language rules, fees and process. The right fit depends on where you live and where your assets sit.
Why a Registered Will Matters
Without one, Federal Decree-Law 41 of 2022 splits the estate: half to the spouse, half equally among the children. The estate stays locked until a court order is issued. For business owners, shares and bank mandates can be left on hold.
Dubai Courts: Notarised and Arabic
Dubai Courts registers non-Muslim Wills through its notary public under Dubai Law 15 of 2017. The registered text is in Arabic, so most expats approve an English version first. This suits Dubai residents with Dubai and UAE assets.
DIFC: English and Common Law
The DIFC Courts Wills Service is English-language and common law style, with fees from AED 10,000 for a single Full Will. It doesn't draft or advise, so you need separate legal drafting. This suits expats wanting an English-language Will.
ADJD: Low Fee, Abu Dhabi Focus
ADJD offers registration in Arabic and English for around AED 950 under Abu Dhabi civil law for non-Muslims. The court doesn't draft the Will for you. This is the natural route for Abu Dhabi residents.
ADGM: English Common Law in Abu Dhabi
ADGM applies English common law principles and registers Wills in English. Fees vary, and drafting isn't done by the registry. This suits Abu Dhabi expats wanting an English-language Will.
Check Your Registry Before You Apply
Start with where you live, look at where your assets sit, then decide how much you want handled for you. Fees change over time, so confirm current costs with each registry. Meydan Plus (mPlus) provides a Dubai Courts Will route built around your company.
Will Registration in the UAE: DIFC vs Dubai Courts vs ADJD vs ADGM
Non-Muslim expats in the UAE can register a Will in four main places: the DIFC Courts Wills Service, Dubai Courts, the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department (ADJD) and ADGM. Each runs under a different legal framework, with its own language rules, fees and process.
The right choice depends on where you live, where your assets sit and how much of the process you want handled for you. This guide compares the four registries and explains where Meydan Free Zone’s Wills Registration service fits.
Why Registering a Will Matters in the UAE
Without a registered Will, non-Muslim estates fall under the civil personal status law for non-Muslims (Federal Decree-Law 41 of 2022). That law splits the estate by a fixed formula: half to the surviving spouse and half equally among the children.
The estate is also locked until a court order is issued, and the court must first identify the legal heirs. For a business owner, that can leave company shares, bank mandates and management decisions on hold. A registered Will gives the court your instructions instead.
The Four UAE Will Registries at a Glance
| Dubai Courts | DIFC Courts Wills Service | ADJD | ADGM | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emirate | Dubai | Dubai (DIFC) | Abu Dhabi | Abu Dhabi (ADGM) |
| Legal framework | Dubai Law 15 of 2017, UAE civil law | DIFC rules, common law style | Abu Dhabi civil law for non-Muslims | ADGM rules, English common law principles |
| Language | Arabic registered text (bilingual drafts common) | English | Arabic and English | English |
| Registry fee (approx.) | Notarial fees apply | From AED 10,000 for a single Full Will | Around AED 950 | Varies |
| Drafting included? | Not by the court | No, the Wills Service does not draft or advise | Not by the court | Not by the court |
| Best suited to | Dubai residents with Dubai and UAE assets | Expats wanting an English-language, common law Will | Abu Dhabi residents | Expats in Abu Dhabi wanting an English-language Will |
Fees are indicative, change over time and exclude legal drafting costs. Check the current fee with each registry before you apply.
How It Works
Dubai Courts registers non-Muslim Wills through its notary public under Dubai Law 15 of 2017. The Will is notarised and registered, and when the time comes it is carried out by court order, working from your instructions and your named executor.
Language
The registered Will is in Arabic. In practice, most expats approve an English version first, and the Arabic is a legal translation of that approved text.
What It Covers
A Dubai Courts Will can cover company shares, property, bank accounts, vehicles and other assets in the UAE, and it can name a guardian for children under 18.
Who It Suits
Dubai Courts is a natural fit for Dubai-based founders and residents, particularly those whose company and assets are in Dubai.
How It Works
The DIFC Courts Wills Service registers English-language Wills under DIFC rules, with probate handled by the DIFC Courts. It offers several Will types, including Full Wills, Property Wills, Business Owners Wills, Financial Assets Wills and Guardianship Wills.
Costs
A single Full Will costs AED 10,000 to register and a mirror Full Will AED 15,000, according to recent published guides. These are registration fees only. The Wills Service does not draft Wills or give advice, so most applicants also pay a lawyer to draft.
Who It Suits
Expats who want their Will written and probated in English under common law principles, and who are comfortable with a higher total cost.
How It Works
ADJD runs a non-Muslim Wills registration office for the emirate of Abu Dhabi. Applicants apply online, pay the fee and have the Will notarised by an ADJD notary.
Costs and Language
The registration fee has been reported at around AED 950. Wills are registered in Arabic and English, so an English draft needs a certified translation.
Who It Suits
Residents of Abu Dhabi, particularly those whose property and family are based there.
How It Works
ADGM, Abu Dhabi’s international financial centre, registers English-language Wills for non-Muslims, drafted under English common law principles.
Who It Suits
Abu Dhabi-based expats who prefer an English-language, common law Will. As with the DIFC, drafting is usually done by a lawyer and charged separately from the registry fee.
Start With Where You Live
Your home emirate usually decides the natural registry: Dubai Courts or the DIFC for Dubai residents, ADJD or ADGM for Abu Dhabi residents.
Look at Where Your Assets Sit
If your company, property and accounts are in Dubai, a Dubai-registered Will keeps everything in one jurisdiction. Assets in other countries need a Will in those countries.
Decide How Much You Want Handled for You
Registries register; they don’t draft. Factor in drafting, translation and appointments, not just the registry fee.
Think About Your Company
If you own shares in a free zone company, make sure your Will names who takes them. Without that, your shares are split by law and your family, including minors, may end up co-owning the business.
Registering a Dubai Courts Will Through Meydan Free Zone
For Meydan Free Zone clients, the Dubai Courts route is now available directly from the customer portal. Our service provider handles the full process, so you are not left to coordinate a lawyer, translator and notary yourself.
One Fixed Fee
AED 7,000 for a Single Will or AED 11,000 for a Mirror Will, covering consultation, drafting, registration and notarisation with Dubai Courts.
English First
You approve an English draft, delivered within 2 business days. The registered Arabic version is a legal translation of that approved text.
No In-Person Visit
The Dubai Courts notary notarises your Will by video call. You show your physical Emirates ID on camera, and the Will is registered.
Built Around Your Company
Your Will covers your Meydan Free Zone company shares alongside your property, accounts and children.
The service is available to non-Muslim Meydan Free Zone clients aged 18 or over with a valid Emirates ID.
Next Steps
If you are a Dubai-based founder, list your assets and beneficiaries, choose an executor and a guardian for any children under 18, and apply for Wills Registration in your Meydan Free Zone customer portal.
