How to Make a Will in Dubai: Step-by-Step Guide (2025)

Making a will in Dubai used to mean expensive appointments with a lawyer, weeks of waiting, and fees that ran into the tens of thousands of dirhams. Today, the process is far more accessible, but it still requires understanding the UAE's registration requirements to make sure your will is actually enforceable.

This guide walks you through every step, from deciding what to include to attending your registration appointment, so you know exactly what to expect.

Who Can Make a Will in Dubai?

Any adult (over 21) who is either a UAE resident or a non-resident with assets in the UAE can make and register a UAE will. There is no requirement to be a UAE citizen or to have lived here for a minimum period. Non-Muslim residents and visitors alike can register a will that overrides the default Sharia inheritance rules applied to non-Muslim estates.

Choose Your Registration Authority

There are two main registration systems for non-Muslim wills in the UAE:

• ADJD (Abu Dhabi Judicial Department), covers all UAE assets across all seven Emirates. Government fee: AED 950 per will. Best for most expats.
• DIFC Wills Service Centre, Common Law-based wills, primarily for Dubai assets. Registration fees AED 3,600–10,000. More complex estates may benefit from this system.

For most expats with standard assets, bank accounts, a car, savings, and perhaps a property, ADJD or Dubai Courts is a straightforward choice. DIFC may be preferable if you hold assets through DIFC-regulated structures or prefer a Common Law framework. OwnX can advise on the right fit for your situation.

Step 1: Decide What Your Will Should Cover

Before you start writing, think through what you own in the UAE and who you want to inherit it. You do not need to list every item individually, a well-drafted will covers categories of assets (e.g. 'all UAE bank accounts', 'all movable property located in the UAE') rather than specific account numbers.

You will need to decide on:

1. Your primary beneficiaries, who inherits, and in what proportions
2. Contingent beneficiaries, who inherits if a primary beneficiary dies before you
3. Your executor, the person responsible for carrying out your wishes
4. Any specific bequests, individual items or sums to specific people or charities
5. Guardianship wishes, if you have minor children, your expressed preferences

Step 2: Complete the Will Questionnaire

Whether you use an online platform or a law firm, the process starts with a structured questionnaire. This covers your personal details, your family situation, your assets, and your wishes for distribution. Be thorough: gaps or ambiguities in the questionnaire often mean back-and-forth with the drafter before the will can be finalised.

With OwnX, the questionnaire takes most clients 15–25 minutes to complete. Our system guides you through each section with plain-English explanations, so no legal knowledge is required.

Step 3: Review the Draft Will

The completed questionnaire is used to draft your will in English. Depending on the registration authority, a certified Arabic translation may also be prepared. You review all documents before anything is finalised, check names, spellings, asset descriptions, and proportions carefully.

Step 4: Gather Your Documents

For UAE will registration, you will typically need:

• Your original passport (valid)
• Your UAE Emirates ID (if a resident)
• Passport copies of your beneficiaries
• The drafted will (and certified Arabic translation, if required for your chosen authority)
• Payment for the government registration fee (amount varies by jurisdiction)

Requirements can vary slightly by registration centre and Emirates. Your will provider should give you a precise checklist for your specific situation.

Step 5: Attend the Registration Appointment

ADJD registration does not require an office visit. Once your bilingual will is ready, you submit it through the court portal. The court contacts you to arrange payment, then schedules a short video verification call, typically 10–15 minutes, to confirm your identity and wishes. Your will is usually registered by the next working day after the call.

Once registered, your will is enforceable in UAE courts. Keep the sealed digital copy and registration certificate with your other estate-planning documents.

How Long Does the Process Take?

With OwnX, the typical timeline is:

• Day 1: Complete the online questionnaire (15–25 min)
• Day 1–3: Draft will prepared and sent for your review
• Day 3–5: Amendments (if any) and final approval
• Day 5–14: Video verification call with the ADJD court, no office visit needed

Registration timing depends on ADJD availability. If your matter is urgent, check the authority's current appointment and fast-track options before submitting.

How Much Does It Cost?

• OwnX will-writing and translation fee: AED 749 (individual) / AED 1,149 (mirror wills)
• Government registration fee: from AED 950 per will, paid at registration (varies by authority)
• Total for an individual will: approximately AED 1,699
• Total for mirror wills (couple): approximately AED 3,399

Compare this to typical law firm drafting fees of AED 5,000–15,000+. OwnX handles the drafting and certified translation; you complete registration directly with the authority.

Author & Legal Reviewer ✓ Licensed Advocate

Aanchal Adhikari (Advocate, LL.B., LL.M. (Cand.))

Senior Specialist & UAE Estate Planning Advocate

Aanchal Adhikari is a Nepal-licensed Advocate with 4+ years of legal practice, specialized in ADJD Wills, DIFC wills, and UAE inheritance. She has drafted and overseen 800+ ADJD Wills in the UAE and is currently pursuing an LL.M. at Middlesex University Dubai.

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