Guides & resources

The complete walkthrough of the Abu Dhabi Civil Family Court will registration process — from UAE Pass to your stamped will.

Registration fees are fixed and published. Preparation fees are not. This page separates the two, for all four routes, with every figure traced to where it came from.

When a non-Muslim expat dies without a registered will in the UAE, their estate is distributed under Sharia succession rules by default, with assets frozen and the family needing court approval to access anything. A registered will is the primary way to direct a different outcome for your UAE-based assets.

Probate in the UAE is the court process for verifying and distributing a deceased person's estate, with rules that depend on religion, nationality, and whether a will is registered. For non-Muslim expats, having a UAE-registered will is crucial to avoid default Sharia succession rules applying to local assets.

UAE courts apply sharia inheritance principles to all estates by default, including non-Muslims, unless a valid registered will exists. Federal Decree-Law No. 41 of 2022 allows non-Muslim expats to override this default by registering a will to direct their UAE assets according to their own wishes.

UAE inheritance law governs how your UAE-based assets are distributed when you die, regardless of your nationality or religion. Since 2022, non-Muslims have access to dedicated civil inheritance rules that allow them to direct how their estate is handled.

If both parents die, who looks after your children — and who decides? What the civil will lets you control.

Dubai-based expats who aren't UAE or GCC nationals can register civil wills through the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department (ADJD), regardless of religion, which provides federal recognition across all UAE emirates. The ADJD civil wills service accepts applications from expats who aren't UAE nationals anywhere in the UAE, regardless of religion, for a court fee of AED 950 per will.

Four UAE will registration routes compared for expats, with eligibility depending on the registry. What each one costs, how long it takes, what it covers, and the single question that usually decides it.

Filipino nationals living in the UAE need a local registered will to ensure their UAE-based assets are distributed according to their wishes, as these assets fall under UAE jurisdiction. Without a UAE will, your assets may be distributed under default UAE rules that may not reflect your family's needs.

A South African will does not automatically govern your UAE-based assets under UAE law. South African expats who aren't UAE or GCC nationals can register a separate civil will through the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department (ADJD), regardless of religion, to ensure their UAE estate is distributed according to their wishes.

Indian expats living in the UAE need a separate registered will to govern UAE-situated assets like property and bank accounts, as Indian wills do not automatically apply to assets held in the UAE. Without a UAE will, your estate may be distributed under UAE intestacy rules that don't reflect your wishes.

British expats living in the UAE should register a will locally to cover their UAE-based assets like property, bank accounts and investments. Without a registered will, UAE assets are distributed under default local law rules, which can be slow and unpredictable for family members.

A UK will is not automatically recognised by UAE courts and may require a lengthy court process for recognition. British expats with UAE assets typically benefit from having a separately registered UAE will to avoid uncertainty.

When a joint account holder dies in the UAE, banks usually freeze the account upon receiving a death notification. The surviving account holder cannot access funds until obtaining a court order or probate document.

When a UAE mortgage borrower dies, the outstanding loan does not disappear and the bank retains its security interest in the property. The debt must be settled from the estate before heirs can inherit the property free and clear.

Estate planning in Dubai is crucial for expatriates because UAE courts may apply Sharia succession principles to your assets without a registered will, regardless of your nationality or wishes. Federal Decree-Law No. 41 of 2022 now offers non-Muslim expatriates options to elect how their estates are handled.

When a UAE bank learns of an account holder's death, it immediately freezes the account to protect the estate. Bereaved families must obtain a court-issued succession certificate to regain access, though a registered will can support the court application.

Without a registered will, UAE intestacy rules give unmarried partners no automatic share of assets or legal standing. A registered civil will is essential for eligible unmarried expat couples of any religion to protect each other's financial interests in the UAE.

Mirror wills are two separate legal documents in which spouses make near-identical provisions for each other, with each will standing independently under UAE law. The Abu Dhabi Judicial Department (ADJD) registers each will as a standalone document, as joint wills are not available through the UAE registration framework.

An executor is the person named in your will to manage your estate after death, including applying to court, gathering assets, and distributing them to beneficiaries. Understanding the executor's role helps you make the right choice for your circumstances.