Wills Registration for Meydan Free Zone Clients
When you set up a company in Dubai, your shares become part of your estate. If something happens to you, a registered Will decides who takes them over, who manages your affairs and who looks after your children. Without one, UAE law decides for you.
Non-Muslim expats in the UAE fall under the civil personal status law for non-Muslims (Federal Decree-Law 41 of 2022). In Dubai, non-Muslim Wills and estates are governed by Dubai Law 15 of 2017. A Will registered with Dubai Courts lets you set your own distribution instead of the fixed split the law applies when there is no Will.
Meydan Free Zone’s Wills Registration service lets you arrange that Will from the same portal you already use for your license, visas and company services. Our service provider prepares the Will with you, and Dubai Courts notarises it by video call. You never need to attend in person.
The Will covers property, shares and accounts you hold anywhere in the UAE, and it stays valid from notarisation until it is carried out.
What Happens Without a Will in the UAE
Without a registered will, your estate is locked until a court order is issued, and the law decides who inherits it, including your company shares. A will doesn’t remove the court process. It gives the court your instructions, so it can skip the search for heirs and follow your choices.
Without a Will | With a Registered Will |
|---|---|
Nothing can be transferred until the court issues an order. | A named executor acts once the court confirms the will. |
The court must first identify your legal heirs. | The Registered Will names your heirs, so this stage falls away. |
The estate is split by law: half to your spouse, half equally among your children. With no children, it passes to parents, then siblings. | You choose who receives each asset. |
Your company shares are split the same way, so your family, including minors, may end up co-owning the business. | You decide who takes your shares and can continue the business. |
Your children’s inherited shares must be handled by a guardian acting with court approval. | You nominate a guardian for children under 18, plus a backup. |
What It Means for Your Company
For founders, the biggest risk is not only personal. If you are the only shareholder, manager or bank signatory, your company can stall while the estate is locked.
CASE 1
The Sole Founder
For founders, the biggest risk is not only personal. If you are the only shareholder, manager or bank signatory, your company can stall while the estate is locked.
Without a Will | With a Registered Will |
|---|---|
The shares are split 50% to the spouse and 25% to each child. Until the court acts, no one can exercise those shares, so no one can appoint a new manager or change the bank signatory. Payroll, supplier payments and the license renewal can stall. | The founder leaves the shares to the spouse and names an executor. After the court order, the shares are transferred, the share register is updated within 02 business days, and the spouse appoints a new manager. |
CASE 2
The Co-Founders
Two partners each own 50% of a Meydan Free Zone company.
Without a Will | With a Registered Will |
|---|---|
The shares are split 50% to the spouse and 25% to each child. Until the court acts, no one can exercise those shares, so no one can appoint a new manager or change the bank signatory. Payroll, supplier payments and the license renewal can stall. | The founder leaves the shares to the spouse and names an executor. After the court order, the shares are transferred, the share register is updated within 02 business days, and the spouse appoints a new manager. |
Wills Registration Service Details
Category | Details |
|---|---|
Service Name | Will Registration |
What is a Registered Will | A legally recognised will, notarised and registered with Dubai Courts, setting out how your assets are distributed, who your beneficiaries are, who acts as executor and who looks after your children |
Who Can Use This Service | Non-Muslim Meydan Free Zone clients aged 18 or over with a valid Emirates ID |
What is Included | Will consultation, will drafting, registration and notarisation with Dubai Courts |
Assets Covered | Company shares, property, bank accounts, vehicles and other assets held anywhere in the UAE |
Main Use Case | Succession planning for your business, family and UAE assets |
Key Benefit | You decide who inherits, who acts and who looks after your children, instead of a fixed legal split |
Pricing | Single Will: AED 7,000 · Mirror Will: AED 11,000 |
Booking Method | Through the Meydan Free Zone customer portal |
Application Steps | Log in to customer portal, select mPlus and mAssist, choose Wills Registration, fill in application details and upload documents, make payment |
Required Documents | Emirates ID of the person making the will; Emirates ID or passport of each beneficiary; list of assets with supporting documents |
Required Details | Executor and alternate executor; guardian and backup guardian for children under 18; who receives each asset |
In-Person Visit | Not required. Notarisation is completed by video call with the Dubai Courts notary |
Processing Timeline | English draft within 2 business days |
Why This Service Matters for Meydan Free Zone Clients
Meydan Free Zone is your one-stop shop for building a business and a life in Dubai. You set up your company, renewed your license and processed your visas here, and your Will belongs in the same place.
Because your Will is arranged alongside your company services, it is built around what you own here, including your Meydan Free Zone company shares. Many clients put one in place at a natural milestone: setting up a company, adding a shareholder, renewing a license, buying property or welcoming a new child.
Will Registration
Executor, plus an alternate Guardian for children under 18, plus a backup Who receives each asset
Documents
- Emirates ID of the person making the Will
- Emirates ID or passport of each beneficiary
- List of assets with supporting documents
Setup guides. Can’t decide? Start here.
Questions? Answers.
Who can use the Wills Registration service?
Non-Muslim Meydan Free Zone clients aged 18 or over with a valid Emirates ID.
What is the difference between a Single Will and a Mirror Will?
A Single Will is for one person and costs AED 7,000. A Mirror Will is a pair of matching Wills for two people with shared wishes, such as spouses or partners. Each usually leaves their estate to the other and then to the same beneficiaries. A Mirror Will costs AED 11,000.
Do I need to visit Dubai Courts in person?
No. Everything is handled by email through our team, and the Dubai Courts notary notarises your Will by video call. You show your physical Emirates ID on camera.
How long does it take?
You receive your English draft within 2 business days. Notarisation is scheduled once you approve it.
Who can I name as executor and guardian?
Any adult of full capacity who accepts the role, is not bankrupt and has no conviction for dishonesty can be your executor. For children under 18, you nominate a guardian aged 18 or over, plus a backup.
Will Sharia law decide my estate?
No. Non-Muslim expats fall under the UAE’s civil personal status law for non-Muslims, where children inherit equally regardless of gender. A registered Will lets you set your own distribution.
I already have a Will in my home country. Do I still need one?
A foreign Will has to be translated, attested and proved in a UAE court. A UAE Will sits alongside it and covers your assets anywhere in the UAE. Assets in other countries need a Will there.
Will my Will be in Arabic?
You approve the English draft first. The registered Arabic version is a legal translation of that approved text.
Does a registered Will mean my estate avoids the court?
No. A registered Will is still carried out by court order. It removes the stage of identifying your heirs and the fixed legal split, so the court follows your instructions.