Wills in Dubai
If you live in Dubai as an expat, registering a will is one of the most important steps you can take for your family. Momentum provides expert will writing services for non-Muslim expats across Dubai and the UAE.
Speak to an ExpertBenefits of UAE Wills for Expats
A registered will does more than distribute your assets. It gives your family legal protection and the ability to act quickly when it matters most.
You Decide Who Inherits Your Estate
Without a registered will, UAE courts apply their own procedures to determine how your assets are distributed. A registered will names your beneficiaries directly and removes any ambiguity.
You Protect Your Children
Under UAE law, the mother is not automatically recognised as the legal guardian of her children if the father passes away. A registered will lets you name guardians yourself.
You Safeguard Your Property
Real estate in Dubai defaults to Sharia distribution if no registered will is in place. Expat will registration ensures your property goes to the person you choose.
Your Family Can Act Quickly
When someone passes away in the UAE, their bank accounts are frozen until a court order is issued. A registered will gives your family the documentation they need.
You Cover Assets in Multiple Countries
Many UAE expats hold assets in their home country alongside their UAE holdings. A well-structured will can address both within a single DIFC will or coordinated package.
You Gain Peace of Mind
An unregistered estate creates uncertainty and delay for the people you leave behind. A registered will removes that burden.
How Our UAE Will Services Work
Momentum's will writing service is built around simplicity and transparency.
Free Consultation
Your advisor takes the time to understand your situation: your assets, your family structure, and what you want to achieve. You receive a clear recommendation and a full breakdown of costs.
Drafting Your Will
Your advisor drafts your will based on your confirmed instructions. Every detail — beneficiaries, guardians, executor appointments — is documented clearly. You review the full draft before we go any further.
Registration
We manage the Dubai wills registration process with the relevant authority on your behalf. Most clients are fully registered within five to seven working days.
Types of Wills in Dubai
Expats in Dubai have several recognised will registration options. Momentum works across all of them and will recommend the right one for you.
DIFC Wills
ADJD Wills (Abu Dhabi Judicial Department)
Single vs Mirror Wills in Dubai
The right choice depends on your relationship status and how your assets are held.
| Feature | Single Will | Mirror Wills |
|---|---|---|
| What it covers | One person's estate instructions | Two separate, individually tailored wills for a couple |
| Best suited for | Single individuals, or married expats where only one spouse holds UAE assets | Married couples where both spouses hold assets, including joint accounts or co-owned property |
| Guardianship | Can be included for any minor children | Included in both wills, parents align their instructions |
| Joint assets | Does not fully address jointly held property or accounts | Designed specifically to address joint ownership |
| Executor appointment | One person names their executor | Each spouse appoints their own executor |
Choose Momentum's Expert Will Writing Services
A Personal Advisor
Every Momentum client works with a named advisor from first consultation to final registration. Your advisor knows your case and sees your will through to completion.
Transparent Pricing From Day One
We quote you in full before you commit. No surprise costs at registration, no add-ons you didn't agree to, and no ambiguity about what you are paying for.
Built for Busy Expats
Most of our clients complete the entire process without visiting an office. Consultations, document review, and registration can all be handled remotely.
Specialists in Expat Will Registration
We focus exclusively on non-Muslim expat estate planning in the UAE. We know the requirements, the common pitfalls, and how to structure a will for your circumstances.
Register Your Will With Momentum
Fill out the form below and a Momentum advisor will get in touch with you.
Frequently Asked Questions
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ADJD wills costs AED 950 to AED 2,000 while DIFC wills cost between AED 10,000 to AED 15,000. The exact cost depends on the type of will structure and your specifications.
It is not mandatory to have a will in UAE but expats who die without one risk their estate being distributed by UAE courts under default procedures, which may not reflect their wishes. Property defaults to Sharia distribution, bank accounts are frozen, and a court decides guardianship of minor children. A registered will prevents all of this.
You draft your will with a registered provider, review and sign it, then submit it to a recognised authority (DIFC, ADJD, or Dubai Courts). Once accepted, it is stored in the official registry and legally recognised by UAE courts and financial institutions. With Momentum, the full process takes five to seven working days.
