Wills in Dubai: Everything You Need to Know (2026 Guide)
Key Takeaways
- Every non-Muslim UAE resident should have a registered will — without one, you lose control over asset distribution, guardianship, and risk court disputes
- Since January 2026, heirless expatriates who die without a will may have their UAE assets frozen and ultimately transferred to state Waqf under Federal Decree-Law No. 51 of 2024
- Three main options: ADJD wills (from AED 950), DIFC wills (from AED 10,000), and Dubai Courts wills (from AED 2,167)
- ADJD wills offer the best value for most residents: valid across all 7 emirates, fully online process, from AED 1,749 total with blanket.ae
- DIFC wills have a direct enforcement advantage for Dubai assets under Dubai Law No. 2 of 2025
- All bank accounts (including joint accounts) are frozen upon death — the UAE does not recognise the right of survivorship
Why You Need a Will in Dubai
What Happens Without a Will
If you die without a registered will in the UAE, your estate is distributed according to UAE default inheritance rules. Under Federal Decree-Law No. 41 of 2022 (consolidated by Federal Law No. 41 of 2024), the statutory default for intestate non-Muslims is a 50/50 split: 50% to the surviving spouse and 50% divided equally among children regardless of gender. However, without a will, courts may still dispute the deceased's religious status, and you lose control over:
- How your assets are divided beyond the default 50/50 statutory split
- Your children's guardianship — the court decides, not you
- Asset freezing — accounts may be locked for months while the court processes your estate
- Property distribution — jointly owned property does not automatically pass to a surviving spouse, since the UAE does not recognise the common-law right of survivorship
Asset Freezing After Death
When a UAE resident dies, their bank accounts are immediately frozen until a court order is issued authorising distribution. This applies to both sole and joint accounts — the UAE does not recognise the common-law "right of survivorship," so a surviving spouse cannot access a joint account without a court order. A registered will does not prevent the freeze, but it significantly speeds up the court process because the court has a clear legal document to follow rather than having to apply default rules.
Federal Decree-Law No. 41 of 2022
Federal Decree-Law No. 41 of 2022 on Personal Status for Non-Muslims is the key legislation that allows non-Muslim residents to opt out of Sharia inheritance distribution. Under this law, non-Muslims can create a will that specifies exactly how their assets should be distributed and who should be appointed as guardian for their children. ADJD wills derive their nationwide validity from this law.
Federal Decree-Law No. 51 of 2024 (Heirless Estates)
A critical update for single expats: Federal Decree-Law No. 51 of 2024, which took effect on 1 January 2026, states that if an expatriate dies without a registered will and has no legally identifiable heirs, their UAE-based assets are frozen and may ultimately be transferred to a state-managed charitable endowment (Waqf) once authorities confirm that no heirs can be identified. This makes registering a will particularly important for single residents or those whose heirs reside outside the UAE.
Types of Wills Available in Dubai
There are three main options for registering a will in Dubai, each with different costs, processes, and legal frameworks.
ADJD Wills (From AED 950)
ADJD wills are registered with the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department under Abu Dhabi Law No. 14 of 2021. Despite being administered by Abu Dhabi, they are valid across all seven emirates under Federal Decree-Law No. 41 of 2022. This is the most affordable option and the only one that can be completed entirely online. Read our full ADJD will guide for a detailed breakdown.
Cost: AED 950 government registration fee (single) or AED 1,900 (mirror wills). With blanket.ae, the total cost including drafting starts from AED 1,749.
Process: Fully online via the ADJD portal. Initial approval in 1–2 business days, followed by a notary video appointment to finalise registration.
Note: Enforcing an ADJD will for Dubai-based assets requires an administrative deputisation process through the Dubai Courts, which adds a procedural step compared to DIFC's direct enforcement.
Best for: Most UAE residents who want comprehensive coverage at the lowest cost.
DIFC Wills (From AED 10,000)
DIFC wills are registered with the Dubai International Financial Centre Courts and operate under a common-law framework. Under Dubai Law No. 2 of 2025, they have exclusive jurisdiction and direct enforcement for assets located in Dubai.
Cost: AED 10,000 registration fee (single) or AED 15,000 (mirror wills), plus AED 3,000–6,000 in mandatory legal drafting fees. Total: AED 13,000–21,000+.
Process: Online via the DIFC Virtual Registry or in person at the DIFC Courts. A DIFC-registered legal practitioner must draft your will. Timeline: 2–4 weeks.
Best for: Residents with significant Dubai-based assets who want the fastest enforcement through DIFC Courts, or those with complex digital asset holdings (DIFC offers a dedicated Digital Assets Will).
Dubai Courts Wills
Dubai Courts also process wills, though this option is less commonly used by expats. The registration fee is AED 2,167 for a single will or AED 4,334 for mirror wills. The process involves submitting your will to the Dubai Courts directly. Most expats choose either ADJD or DIFC for clearer processes and lower costs.
Comparison Table: All Three Options
| Factor | ADJD Will | DIFC Will | Dubai Courts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registration fee | AED 950 / AED 1,900 | AED 10,000 / AED 15,000 | AED 2,167 / AED 4,334 |
| Total cost with drafting | From AED 1,749 (blanket.ae) | AED 13,000–21,000+ | AED 5,000–10,000 (lawyer + registration) |
| Process | Fully online | Online or in-person | In-person |
| Timeline | 1–2 days initial approval + notary | 2–4 weeks | Varies |
| Nationwide validity | All 7 emirates (federal law) | Recognised, direct enforcement in Dubai | Dubai-specific |
| Lawyer required? | No (blanket.ae handles drafting) | Yes (DIFC-registered practitioner) | Typically yes |
How to Make a Will in Dubai
The Traditional Route: Hire a Lawyer (AED 3,000–8,000)
You can hire a law firm in the UAE to draft and register your will. Typical costs range from AED 3,000 to AED 8,000 for drafting, plus the government registration fee (AED 950 for ADJD or AED 10,000+ for DIFC). The process involves in-person consultations, document review, and the lawyer handling the registration on your behalf.
The Digital Route: blanket.ae (From AED 799)
blanket.ae provides a fully online will-writing process designed by lawyers. You answer guided questions about your assets, beneficiaries, and guardianship preferences, and the platform generates a legally compliant will in English and Arabic.
Step 1: Answer questions online. The guided process takes under 30 minutes. No legal jargon, no appointments.
Step 2: Review your draft. Your will is generated and translated to Arabic by a licensed translator at no extra cost.
Step 3: Register with ADJD. Submit through the ADJD online portal. Government fee: AED 950 (single) or AED 1,900 (mirror wills). See our will registration guide for a full step-by-step walkthrough.
Step 4: Receive confirmation. ADJD issues initial approval within 1–2 business days. A notary video appointment is then scheduled to finalise registration.
Will Costs in Dubai: Complete Price Guide
Government Registration Fees
| Registration Body | Single Will | Mirror Wills (Couple) |
|---|---|---|
| ADJD | AED 950 | AED 1,900 |
| DIFC Courts (Full Will) | AED 10,000 | AED 15,000 |
| Dubai Courts | AED 2,167 | AED 4,334 |
Total Cost Comparison
| Provider | Individual Will | Mirror Wills | What's Included |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blanket + ADJD | AED 1,749 | AED 3,199 | Online drafting, Arabic translation, ADJD registration, free updates (first year) |
| DIFC Courts + Lawyer | AED 13,000+ | AED 21,000+ | Registration only — legal drafting extra |
| Typical UAE law firm + ADJD | AED 4,000–8,000 | AED 6,000–12,000 | Drafting + registration, varies by firm |
Who Needs a Will in Dubai?
Expats with Property
If you own real estate in Dubai or any other emirate, a will is essential. Without one, your property may be subject to default inheritance rules that could result in forced sale or distribution to relatives you did not intend to benefit.
Parents with Minor Children
A will is the only way to appoint your chosen guardians for your minor children. Without a will, the UAE courts decide who cares for your children — and this may not align with your wishes.
Business Owners
If you own shares in a UAE company or free zone entity, a will can specify how your business interests should be handled. This prevents disputes and ensures continuity.
Anyone with Bank Accounts or Investments
Even if you do not own property, your bank accounts, investment portfolios, and end-of-service gratuity are all assets that need to be distributed according to your wishes.
Create your will in Dubai from AED 799
Start Your WillFrequently Asked Questions
Do I need a will in Dubai?
Yes, if you are a non-Muslim resident with any assets in the UAE. Without a will, the default statutory distribution applies (50/50 between spouse and children), but you lose all control over how specific assets are allocated and who serves as guardian for your children. Since January 2026, heirless expatriates without a will may have their UAE assets frozen and ultimately transferred to state Waqf.
How much does it cost to make a will in Dubai?
The most affordable option is an ADJD will: AED 950 government registration fee plus drafting costs. With blanket.ae, the total starts from AED 1,749. DIFC wills start from AED 13,000+ including mandatory legal drafting fees.
Which is better: ADJD or DIFC will?
For most residents, ADJD offers the best value — valid across all emirates at a fraction of the DIFC cost. DIFC is better if you have significant Dubai-based assets and want direct enforcement under Dubai Law No. 2 of 2025. See our DIFC Wills Guide for a detailed comparison.
Can I make a will in Dubai online?
Yes. ADJD wills can be completed entirely online. With blanket.ae, the drafting process takes under 30 minutes, and registration is submitted through the ADJD online portal. DIFC also offers online registration through its Virtual Registry.
What happens to my bank accounts if I die without a will in the UAE?
All bank accounts — including joint accounts — are immediately frozen until a court order is issued authorising distribution. The UAE does not recognise the common-law right of survivorship, so a surviving spouse cannot access even a joint account without a court order. This process can take several months. A registered will speeds it up because the court has a clear legal document to follow.
Is a Dubai will valid in other emirates?
It depends on the type. An ADJD will is valid across all seven emirates under federal law. A DIFC will has direct enforcement in Dubai and is recognised in other emirates, though enforcement outside Dubai may require additional procedural steps.
Can I include my home country assets in a UAE will?
It is generally recommended to have a separate will for assets in each country. A UAE will should cover your UAE assets only. Check with a legal professional about how your home country treats foreign wills.
How long does it take to make a will in Dubai?
With blanket.ae, the drafting process takes under 30 minutes online. ADJD issues initial approval within 1–2 business days, with a notary video appointment scheduled to finalise. DIFC wills typically take 2–4 weeks including legal drafting and registration.