# Making a Will in the UAE as a British Expat: What You Need to Know
British expats in the UAE can register a will through the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department under Federal Decree-Law No. 41 of 2022. The will is drafted in Arabic and English using an official bilingual template, covers UAE-based assets, and is filed directly with the court rather than relying on a UK-issued document.
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Why British Expats in the UAE Need a Local Will
Thousands of British nationals live and work across Dubai and the wider UAE, accumulating assets that include real estate, bank accounts, vehicles and investments. Many assume a UK will is sufficient to deal with everything they own. For assets held in the UAE, that assumption carries real risk. Understanding why a locally registered will matters is the first practical step for any British expat thinking about estate planning.
What Happens to UAE Assets Without a Registered Will
Without a registered will covering UAE-based assets, the distribution of an estate in the UAE follows the default rules set out under local law. For non-Muslim expatriates, those defaults existed in a legally uncertain space for many years. The position has been clarified by legislation, but the absence of a registered will still means that courts must determine how assets are distributed, and that process can be slow, expensive and unpredictable for surviving family members.
Bank accounts may be frozen. Property transfer can stall for extended periods. Executors or family members based in the UK may find themselves navigating an unfamiliar legal system at a difficult time, with no locally registered document to rely on.
Default Inheritance Rules Under UAE Law and Who They Affect
Prior to the legislative reforms introduced for non-Muslims, the default position under UAE law drew on Sharia-based inheritance principles. These principles determine fixed shares for certain categories of heir. They do not automatically reflect the wishes of a British testator who may want to leave everything to a spouse, a cohabiting partner, adult children in equal shares or a specific person outside the traditional family hierarchy.
Federal Decree-Law No. 41 of 2022, published on uaelegislation.gov.ae, changed the framework materially for non-Muslim expatriates. The law allows non-Muslims to register a will that applies their own chosen distribution rather than the default rules.
How Federal Decree-Law No. 41 of 2022 Changed the Picture for Non-Muslims
Federal Decree-Law No. 41 of 2022 on Personal Status for Non-Muslims created a clear statutory basis for non-Muslim expatriates to opt out of default inheritance rules and have a will registered through the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department. The law permits the testator to determine beneficiaries, shares, executors and, within limits, guardian nominations for minor children. The full text of the law is available via uaelegislation.gov.ae.
For British nationals, this legislation represents a significant practical improvement: there is now a formal, court-supported route to record their wishes for UAE-based assets in a document that UAE courts and institutions can work with directly.
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Does My UK Will Cover Assets in the UAE?
The short answer is that a UK will does not automatically apply to UAE-based assets. It may be possible to have a UK will recognised in the UAE, but that process involves a separate local probate procedure that is neither quick nor straightforward. The practical and legal limitations of relying on a UK will for UAE property are worth understanding clearly before deciding how to proceed.
Recognition of Foreign Wills Under UAE Law: The Limits
A foreign will, including a UK-issued will, may be recognised in the UAE through the relevant court process. However, recognition is not automatic. The document must typically be authenticated, translated into Arabic and submitted through local legal proceedings. The process is subject to the court's assessment of whether the foreign will complies with applicable requirements, and there is no guarantee of a swift outcome. This is a general description of the process; the specific requirements for any individual estate depend on facts and circumstances that a qualified legal adviser would need to assess.
Why Probate of a UK Will in the UAE Takes Time and Costs Money
When a family member dies leaving only a UK will, the process of using that will to deal with UAE assets requires the UK document to be legalised, typically apostilled, and then submitted to the UAE courts. The timeline for that process can be considerably longer than using a locally registered will, and the costs involved in legal assistance for the probate process in the UAE add up. A locally registered UAE will is generally the more direct instrument for UAE-based assets when it comes to enforcement within the UAE court system.
The Case for a Separate UAE-Registered Will Alongside Your UK Will
A UAE-registered will and a UK will serve different jurisdictions and cover different asset pools. For most British expats with property or accounts in both countries, having both documents is the practical approach. Each will should be drafted so that it does not accidentally revoke the other. For further detail on how the two documents interact, see the section on coordinating wills below.
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How the ADJD Will Works for British Nationals
The Abu Dhabi Judicial Department administers the official non-Muslim will template under the authority of Federal Decree-Law No. 41 of 2022. The official template reference is ADJD-NM0723-07-03, as documented on adjd.gov.ae. This template is the court-approved form for non-Muslim expatriate wills registered in Abu Dhabi.
Eligibility: Who Can Use the ADJD Non-Muslim Will
To use the ADJD non-Muslim will route, the testator must be a non-Muslim expatriate. British nationals are eligible provided they are non-Muslim and hold a valid residence status in the UAE. The specific eligibility criteria are published on adjd.gov.ae. UAE Expat Will does not assess individual eligibility; that determination rests with the court.
What Assets and Appointments the ADJD Template Covers
The ADJD template allows the testator to specify beneficiaries for UAE-based assets, appoint an executor, and nominate a guardian for minor children. The scope of assets that can be covered includes real estate held in the UAE, local bank account balances, vehicles registered in the UAE, and investments held through UAE-based institutions. Assets held outside the UAE are not governed by the ADJD will.
The Bilingual Arabic-English Format Explained
The official ADJD template is bilingual. Arabic and English text appear together within the same document. Arabic is not an optional addition or a translation produced after the fact; it is integral to the court-approved format. This distinction matters because some document services offer an English-only draft with a separate translation arranged later, which does not match the official template structure. The bilingual format as produced using the ADJD-NM0723-07-03 template is what the court works with.
Geographical Scope: Abu Dhabi Template, UAE-Wide Assets
The ADJD template is issued and administered by the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department. However, the scope of the will in terms of asset coverage extends to UAE-based assets generally, not only those located in Abu Dhabi. British expats based in Dubai or other emirates can use the ADJD route for their UAE-wide asset holdings. For a full breakdown of what the template covers, see What the ADJD bilingual template covers.
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Step-by-Step: Registering an ADJD Will as a British Expat
Registering an ADJD will involves a series of steps that begin well before the court appointment. Because the ADJD appointment queue runs into months, starting early is advisable. For a detailed walkthrough of the registration process, see How the ADJD will registration process works.
Step 1: Gather Required Documents and Information
Before completing the template, the testator needs to assemble the documents and information required for the filing. The table below sets out the main requirements for British nationals.
| Document | Who Provides It | Notes for British Nationals | |---|---|---| | Valid passport | Testator | UK passport; copy required | | UAE Emirates ID | Testator | Must be current and valid | | Title deed (if applicable) | Dubai Land Department or Abu Dhabi equivalent | Required if real property is being named | | Details of beneficiaries | Testator | Names, passport numbers, relationship | | Details of executor | Testator | Name, contact information, passport copy | | Details of guardian nominee (if applicable) | Testator | Name, contact, relationship to children |
Step 2: Complete the Bilingual Template Accurately
The bilingual template must be completed in full and accurately. Errors or incomplete sections can cause the court to reject the document or require amendments before registration. UAE Expat Will maps customer answers onto the official ADJD-NM0723-07-03 template; customers review the output before attending court.
Step 3: Book Your ADJD Court Appointment
Appointments are made directly through the ADJD booking system at adjd.gov.ae. The queue runs into months. UAE Expat Will does not control court scheduling and does not book appointments on behalf of customers.
Step 4: Attend the Appointment and Pay the Court Fee
The testator attends the appointment in person. The court fee of AED 950 per will is paid directly to the ADJD at the appointment. UAE Expat Will does not collect this fee.
Step 5: Receive and Store Your Registered Will
Following registration, the court issues a registered copy. This document should be stored securely, and the executor named in the will should be informed of its existence and location.
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Costs and Fees: What British Expats Actually Pay
The total cost of registering an ADJD will involves two separate charges from two separate parties. The table below sets out what British expats can expect to pay.
| Item | Amount | Paid To | |---|---|---| | Document preparation (single will) | AED 1,199 | UAE Expat Will | | Document preparation (couple wills) | AED 1,799 | UAE Expat Will | | Court registration fee (per will) | AED 950 | ADJD (paid at appointment) | | Total for one person | AED 2,149 | Both parties | | Total for a couple | AED 3,699 | Both parties |
For comparison, the alternative of relying on a UK will for UAE assets means that the estate may face local probate costs when the time comes. Those costs are not fixed and depend on the complexity of the estate and the professional fees involved; they are generally significantly higher than the registration cost of a local will. For a full breakdown of will-related costs in the UAE, see UAE will costs and court fees explained.
Hidden Costs to Watch For Elsewhere
Some providers charge separately for Arabic translation, for notarisation, or for consultation. The ADJD template produced by UAE Expat Will includes the bilingual Arabic-English content as standard. UAE Expat Will is a document-preparation service and does not offer legal advice, consultation or registration assistance.
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What Your UAE Will Can and Cannot Do
Understanding the scope of an ADJD will prevents misplaced reliance on the document to cover matters it does not govern.
Assets the Will Can Cover: Property, Bank Accounts, Investments, Vehicles
The ADJD will can cover UAE-based real estate, bank accounts held with UAE-registered banks, vehicles registered in the UAE, and investment accounts held through UAE financial institutions. The basis for this scope is Federal Decree-Law No. 41 of 2022 and the ADJD template structure, as documented on adjd.gov.ae. For a full asset coverage table, see Non-Muslim will in the UAE: the full guide.
| Asset Type | Covered by ADJD Will | Notes | |---|---|---| | UAE real estate | Yes | Title deed reference advisable | | UAE bank accounts | Yes | Account details helpful but not always mandatory | | Vehicles registered in UAE | Yes | Registration number helpful | | UAE investment accounts | Yes | Institution and account details | | Assets held outside UAE | No | Governed by relevant foreign jurisdiction | | Pensions | No | Nomination forms with pension provider | | Life insurance payouts | No | Nomination handled separately with insurer | | UK property | No | UK will governs | | Business succession interests | Partial | Complex; legal advice recommended |
Appointing Guardians for Minor Children in the UAE
The ADJD template includes a section for nominating a guardian for minor children. This is a meaningful provision for British expat parents living in the UAE. However, any nomination is subject to the court's discretion; a written nomination does not guarantee the outcome. Federal Decree-Law No. 41 of 2022 and ADJD guidance confirm that the court retains authority to determine guardianship in the best interests of the child. Anyone for whom guardian nomination is a primary concern is advised to consult a qualified legal adviser. For more detail, see Appointing a guardian for children in a UAE will.
Interaction With UK Inheritance Tax: Not Covered by a UAE Will
A UAE will deals with the distribution of UAE-based assets. It does not affect UK inheritance tax liability, which is determined by UK tax rules applied to the worldwide estate of a UK-domiciled individual. The treatment of British expat estates for UK inheritance tax purposes is a separate matter that falls outside the scope of a UAE will and outside the scope of UAE Expat Will's services.
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Coordinating Your UAE Will With Your UK Will
A UAE-registered will and a UK will can coexist and work together if they are structured carefully. Poorly coordinated wills can create confusion or, in the worst case, one will may accidentally revoke the other.
Avoiding Conflicts Between Two Wills
UK wills typically contain a clause revoking all previous wills. If a UK will is updated after a UAE will has been registered, and the revocation clause is not limited in scope, the UAE will could be treated as revoked. Both documents should include geographic limitation language to clarify which will governs which assets. A qualified legal adviser in the UK and, where necessary, in the UAE can advise on how to structure the two documents.
Which Will Governs Which Assets: A Practical Framework
A practical working framework is: the UAE will governs UAE-based assets; the UK will governs assets held in the UK and any other jurisdiction not covered by the UAE document. Each will should state that it does not revoke any will made in respect of assets in another jurisdiction. This is a general description of the approach; specific drafting is a matter for legal professionals.
Informing Your UK Executors About the UAE Document
The executors named in a UK will may not be aware that a UAE will exists. Informing them, and providing details of where the UAE registered will is stored, avoids duplication of effort and confusion in the event of the testator's death. Details of the ADJD registration certificate and the location of the stored original should be shared with the UK executor.
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Common Mistakes British Expats Make When Writing a UAE Will
Many British expats in the UAE defer estate planning or make avoidable errors. Awareness of common mistakes makes it easier to avoid them.
Relying Solely on a UK Will for UAE Property
As described above, a UK will does not operate automatically in the UAE. Relying on it alone for UAE property means the estate may face a lengthier and more costly process to deal with UAE assets. A locally registered UAE will is the more direct instrument for UAE-based assets.
Naming Only One Executor With No Substitute
If the sole named executor dies before the testator, or is otherwise unable or unwilling to act, the will may need to be administered without a named executor. Naming a substitute or backup executor avoids this gap.
Failing to Update the Will After a Property Purchase or Birth of a Child
A will reflects circumstances at the time it is signed and registered. A new property purchase, the birth of a child, a divorce or a significant change in financial circumstances are all events that should prompt a review of both the UAE will and the UK will. A will that does not name a recently acquired property is not automatically ineffective, but it may cause uncertainty.
Using a Template Not Approved by the Relevant UAE Court
Not all will templates circulating in the UAE market are court-approved. Using a template that does not match the current official version risks rejection at the court appointment. The official template reference for the ADJD non-Muslim will is ADJD-NM0723-07-03, as published on adjd.gov.ae. UAE Expat Will uses this template.
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How UAE Expat Will Helps British Nationals Prepare the Document
UAE Expat Will is a document-preparation service. It is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice, legal consultation or representation of any kind.
The Self-Registration Checklist Model Explained
The service works as follows: the customer answers a set of structured questions online. UAE Expat Will maps those answers onto the official ADJD-NM0723-07-03 bilingual template. The customer receives the completed document, reviews it and then self-registers at the ADJD using a checklist that sets out what to bring and what to expect. UAE Expat Will does not attend the court appointment, does not file the document on behalf of the customer and does not provide legal advice about the customer's choices.
What UAE Expat Will Does and Does Not Do
| UAE Expat Will Does | UAE Expat Will Does Not Do | |---|---| | Prepare the bilingual ADJD template | Provide legal advice | | Use the official court-approved template (ADJD-NM0723-07-03) | Attend court on behalf of the customer | | Include Arabic as integral to the document | File or register the will | | Provide a self-registration checklist | Offer consultation | | Charge AED 1,199 (single) or AED 1,799 (couple) | Collect the court fee of AED 950 |
Starting the Process Online
Given the ADJD appointment queue runs into months, the practical advice is to begin the document preparation process without delay, particularly if there has been a recent property purchase, a change in family circumstances or an upcoming relocation. Start the process at https://uaeexpatwill.com/app.
For further background on the legal framework, see Federal Decree-Law No. 41 of 2022 and expat inheritance in the UAE.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can a British national make a legally valid will in the UAE?
Yes. Under Federal Decree-Law No. 41 of 2022, non-Muslim expatriates including British nationals can register a will for UAE-based assets through the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department using the official bilingual template (ADJD-NM0723-07-03). The law is published on uaelegislation.gov.ae.
Does my UK will automatically apply to my UAE property?
No, not automatically. A UK will may be recognised in the UAE but requires a separate local probate process that can be slow and costly. A locally registered UAE will is generally the more direct instrument for UAE-based assets. The specifics depend on individual circumstances; a qualified legal adviser can assess your position.
Is the ADJD will written in English?
The official ADJD template is bilingual: Arabic and English. Both languages appear in the same document. Arabic is not an optional add-on; it is integral to the court-approved format as documented on adjd.gov.ae.
How much does it cost to register a will in the UAE as a British expat?
The court charges AED 950 per will, paid directly to the ADJD at your appointment. UAE Expat Will charges AED 1,199 for a single will or AED 1,799 for a couple to prepare the document using the official template.
Can I appoint a guardian for my children in a UAE will?
The ADJD template includes a guardian nomination section for minor children. Court discretion applies; a will nomination does not guarantee the outcome. Anyone for whom guardian nomination is a primary concern is advised to consult a qualified legal adviser. See also Appointing a guardian for children in a UAE will.
How long does it take to get an ADJD court appointment?
The ADJD appointment queue runs into months. UAE Expat Will does not control court scheduling. Details of the current booking system are available at adjd.gov.ae. Starting the document preparation process early is advisable.
Do I need a UAE will if I already have a UK will?
The two documents serve different jurisdictions. For UAE-based assets such as property or local bank accounts, a UAE-registered will is generally the more practical and faster instrument to enforce locally. The two documents can and typically do coexist when coordinated properly.
What assets can a UAE ADJD will cover?
The will can cover UAE-based assets including real estate, bank accounts, vehicles and investments. It does not govern assets held outside the UAE, pension nominations or life insurance payouts, which are typically dealt with separately. The scope is set by Federal Decree-Law No. 41 of 2022 as published on uaelegislation.gov.ae.
Will my UAE will affect UK inheritance tax?
No. A UAE will governs the distribution of UAE-based assets. It does not alter UK inheritance tax liability, which is determined by UK tax rules. UK inheritance tax is outside the scope of both a UAE will and UAE Expat Will's services.
Where can I read the current ADJD eligibility requirements?
The eligibility requirements for the ADJD non-Muslim will are published on adjd.gov.ae. UAE Expat Will does not assess individual eligibility; that determination rests with the court.
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Document Preparation Disclaimer
UAE Expat Will is a document-preparation service, not a law firm. The information in this guide is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. UAE Expat Will does not assess individual circumstances, does not recommend legal strategies and does not provide legal representation. Nothing in this guide should be relied upon as a substitute for advice from a qualified legal professional. Laws, court fees and court procedures may change; readers should verify current requirements at adjd.gov.ae and uaelegislation.gov.ae before taking any action.
If you are ready to prepare your bilingual ADJD will using the official template, start at https://uaeexpatwill.com/app.