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Will Registration · UAE

Protect Your Family's Future With a Registered Will in the UAE

A registered Will is the only way to guarantee your assets in the UAE are distributed according to your wishes — not by default under Shariah Law — and that your children's guardianship is exactly as you intend.

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Trusted by expats across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and the Northern Emirates for Will and Power of Attorney registration.

18+Years in Operation
6,800+Companies & Clients Assisted
17Registered Free Zone & Offshore Jurisdictions

Why It Matters

Why Having a Will Is Essential in the UAE

A Will is the legal document that protects your estate and hands it to your loved ones exactly as you intend, in the event of your sudden demise. For expatriates in the UAE, registering one is an essential part of planning your future.

  • UAE law applies Shariah principles to asset distribution by default. Non-Muslims can opt out of this by registering a Will — without one, Shariah Law applies automatically to every asset you hold in the UAE.
  • Without a registered Will, a UAE court decides who becomes guardian of children under 21. A Will lets you appoint the guardian yourself — commonly the surviving spouse.
  • A Will protects your bank accounts, investments, and other financial assets by stating exactly how they should be distributed.
  • Bank accounts — single or joint — are frozen the moment an account holder passes away. A Will gives the surviving spouse a clear legal path to regain control.
  • Dependent visas are cancelled on the sponsor's death, leaving only a one-month grace period to stay. A registered Will helps your family assert their rights during this window.

Will vs. Power of Attorney — What's the Difference?

The two documents serve different moments in life, and expats in the UAE benefit from having both registered.

The Will

Comes into effect only after the signatory's death. It governs how UAE-based assets are distributed to family members. A Will written in your home country must be separately re-registered in the UAE — through Dubai Courts or the DIFC — before it can be enforced here.

The Power of Attorney

Transfers operational authority — over a company, property, or bank account — for a specific period while the grantor is still alive. It stops being valid the moment the grantor passes away, which is exactly where a Will takes over.

Why Expats Register Both

A POA lets a trusted family member manage your affairs during your lifetime; a Will protects those same assets after it. Together, they cover every stage — and AURION can coordinate registration of both in the UAE.

Types of Wills

Which Type of Will Fits Your Situation?

UAE Wills fall into three broad categories, depending on the signatory's religion and what needs to be protected.

Best for: Expats who want full control over asset distribution and guardianship, outside Shariah Law.

  • Without a registered Will, a non-Muslim expat's UAE estate is still distributed under Shariah Law by default.
  • Available types include a Full Will, Guardianship Will, Single/Mirror Will, Free Zone Company Will, and Property & Financial Assets Will.
  • Registrable through Dubai Courts, the DIFC Wills and Probate Registry, or the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department — all accept Wills from expats across the UAE.
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Registration Options

Where to Register Your Will in the UAE

Three registration authorities cover UAE Wills — each with its own process, language requirements, and coverage.

Notary Public Will

Written in English and Arabic and registered with a notary public in Dubai. Covers all Emirates where the signatory resides or holds assets.

  • Best for: Expats who want one Will covering assets across multiple Emirates.

DIFC Will

Registered with the DIFC Wills Service Centre in English only. DIFC-registered Wills cover resident and investor assets across the UAE, as well as internationally.

  • Full Will: Covers distribution of all UAE assets and appointment of guardians for minor children.
  • Guardianship Will: Covers the appointment of guardians for minor children only.
  • Property Will: Covers up to five real estate properties.
  • Freezone Company Will: Covers up to five shareholdings in Freezone or RAKICC companies.
  • Financial Assets Will: Covers up to ten bank and brokerage accounts held at a UAE branch.
  • Best for: Expats who want an English-language Will with the broadest asset coverage.

Abu Dhabi Will

Registered with the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department. The Abu Dhabi Civil Family Court oversees registration and issues the Will once the process is complete, for a nominal processing fee.

  • Best for: Non-Muslim expats with UAE-based assets who want registration overseen directly by the Civil Family Court.

Written in English and Arabic and registered with a notary public in Dubai. Covers all Emirates where the signatory resides or holds assets.

  • Best for: Expats who want one Will covering assets across multiple Emirates.

The following structures are available for specific scenarios. Contact our team for guidance.

Public Joint Stock Company (PJSC) · Simple Limited Partnership · Partnership Company · Representative Office · Intelaq License (UAE Nationals only) · SME License (UAE Nationals only)

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The Process

Steps Involved in Drafting a Will

Registering a Will in the UAE follows a consistent sequence, regardless of which authority you register with.

  1. Draft the Will

    If a Will already exists from your home country, have it reviewed by a UAE legal specialist before proceeding.

  2. Arabic Translation (Where Required)

    Documents submitted to Dubai Courts must be translated into Arabic by a translation center approved by the Courts and the Ministry of Justice. The DIFC Registry accepts English only.

  3. Confirm Coverage

    Dubai Courts and the DIFC Wills and Probate Registry both provide coverage across the whole UAE — confirm which fits your assets before registering.

  4. Pay the Registration Fee

    Registration requires a one-time payment at the chosen authority — Dubai Courts, the DIFC Registry, or the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department.

  5. Register a Power of Attorney Alongside It

    A POA lets trusted family members manage your assets during your lifetime. It complements a Will but does not replace it — a Will must still be registered separately.

  6. Add a Guardianship Clause

    Dubai Courts allow a Guardianship clause to be added to a Standard Will, or registered as its own separate Will.

  7. Check Embassy Requirements

    A Will notarized and registered with Dubai Courts needs no embassy or consulate submission. For assets held in your home country, check requirements with your embassy directly.

Company Shares Don't Automatically Pass to Your Family

When a shareholder dies without a Will, their shares pass down as governed by Shariah Law or the company's own Memorandum of Association — not necessarily to the people you'd choose. For LLCs, the company continues and shares pass to heirs unless the MOA says otherwise; for sole establishments and joint liability companies, the business dissolves on a partner's death unless the MOA — or the heirs — decide otherwise. A UAE-registered Will gives business owners, CEOs, and shareholders a direct, court-recognized path to transfer business assets to family.

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Common Questions

Will registration questions,answeredclearly.

Everything expats need to know before registering a Will in the UAE.

Client Reviews

What Our Clients Say

Nazia Hussain
Nazia Hussain
Excellent Service & Outstanding Support from Ashley at Aurion Consultants. I've had a great experience working with Aurion Consultants, and I'd especially like to appreciate Ashley, who is an absolute star. She is an amazing administrator — always on top of things, extremely organized, and very responsive. Ashley follows up proactively, keeps everything moving smoothly, and makes the entire process feel stress-free. It's rare to find someone so efficient, detail-oriented, and genuinely helpful. Overall, Aurion Consultants provides professional and reliable service, and having someone like Ashley on their team truly makes a big difference. Highly recommended!
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Ready to Protect Your Family and Assets in the UAE?

AURION coordinates your full Will and Power of Attorney registration, start to finish.

Our team analyzes your requirements, prepares the right Will for your situation — Non-Muslim, Muslim, or Guardianship — and manages registration with Dubai Courts, the DIFC, or the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department on your behalf.

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