If you have not made a will yet, you are not alone. Most expats put it off because they assume it is expensive, complicated, or something they can deal with later. Wills in Dubai are a necessary asset protection tool for anyone who owns property, holds a bank account, runs a business, or has dependents in the UAE.
The total will cost in Dubai falls between AED 950 to AED 15,000, and depends on which authority you register with, whether you need a single will or a mirror will, and how complex your estate is.
DIFC Will Cost in Dubai
The DIFC will cost starts at AED 10,000 for a single will and AED 15,000 for a mirror will in government registration fees. Amendment fees are AED 550 for a single will and AED 1,100 for a mirror will.
The DIFC Will is the most popular choice among non-Muslim expats in Dubai. Everything is handled in English, it follows a Common Law framework, and the probate process is significantly smoother for families dealing with an estate after a death. A DIFC Will can cover both UAE-based assets and overseas assets.
ADJD Will Cost in Dubai
An ADJD Will costs AED 950 for a single will and AED 1,900 for a mirror will in government registration fees. Amending an ADJD Will means re-registering it entirely, so amendment fees are the same as the original registration fees.
The Abu Dhabi Judicial Department (ADJD) Will is the most affordable will registration option in the UAE. While it is administered by an Abu Dhabi authority, residents anywhere in the UAE can register here. It is also the only registration authority in the UAE that allows Muslims to register a will.
Dubai Courts Will Cost
The will registration fees for a Dubai Courts Will falls between AED 2,000 and AED 4,000. The process is carried out in Arabic, so your family will need to work with Arabic documents and court proceedings during probate.
The Dubai Courts Will is also an affordable option for wills in Dubai in terms of both cost and complexity. It provides the same fundamental protection against Sharia law default distributions.
Will Registration Fees in Dubai: A Comparison
This is a comparison table of the cost of making a will in Dubai for expats:
Authority | Single Will | Mirror Will | Amendment |
ADJD | AED 950 | AED 1,900 | Same as original fee |
Dubai Courts | AED 2,000 – 3,000 | AED 3,000 – 4,000 | Varies |
DIFC | AED 10,000 | AED 15,000 | AED 550 / AED 1,100 |
Register a Will in Dubai With Momentum
Momentum has been helping business owners, investors, and families with will registration in the UAE for over a decade. Whether you need a DIFC Will for your UAE and global assets, an ADJD Will for cost-effective coverage across the emirates, or a Dubai Courts Will, our team handles the full process from drafting to registration.
We work with clients at every stage: structuring your asset list, choosing the right beneficiaries, appointing an executor, and coordinating your registration appointment. Get in touch for a free consultation!
