# Making a Will in the UAE as a Filipino Expat
Filipino nationals living in the UAE can register a local will through the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department (ADJD) using the official bilingual template. Without a UAE will, assets held in the UAE may be distributed under UAE default rules that do not reflect your wishes for family in the Philippines or elsewhere. A registered UAE will lets you name your own beneficiaries and, where applicable, appoint a guardian for minor children.
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Why Filipino Expats in the UAE Need a Local Will
Many Filipino expats in the UAE assume that a Philippine will, or a verbal arrangement with family, is enough to cover what happens to their assets after death. In practice, UAE-held assets are subject to UAE jurisdiction, and the gap between assumption and legal reality can create serious problems for surviving family members.
Assets Held in the UAE Are Subject to UAE Law, Not Philippine Law
When a person dies, the law that applies to their assets depends largely on where those assets are located. A bank account held with a UAE bank, a car registered in the UAE, or a property in Abu Dhabi or Dubai sits within UAE jurisdiction. This is a general principle of private international law rather than a uniquely UAE rule, but it has direct practical consequences for Filipino expats.
A will registered in the Philippines does not automatically govern how UAE-sited assets are distributed. The UAE courts determine what happens to assets located in the UAE. Anyone with questions about how a specific Philippine document interacts with UAE law should seek independent legal advice from a qualified lawyer in both jurisdictions, as this falls outside what a document-preparation service can address.
What "Dying Intestate" Means for a Filipino National in the UAE
Dying intestate means dying without a valid registered will. When a Filipino national dies intestate in the UAE, UAE courts apply default distribution rules to UAE-held assets. Those rules may not align with what you would have chosen, and they may not reflect arrangements that make sense for your family's situation, particularly if your primary beneficiaries are based in the Philippines.
Processing an estate without a registered will typically takes significantly longer, involves additional legal steps, and may require court proceedings that are costly and stressful for grieving family members. A registered UAE will removes much of that uncertainty for the assets it covers.
The Role of Federal Decree-Law No. 41 of 2022 for Non-Muslim Expats
The central piece of legislation underpinning ADJD non-Muslim wills is Federal Decree-Law No. 41 of 2022, which governs personal status matters for non-Muslim expatriates in the UAE. This law provides the legal framework that allows non-Muslim expats, including Filipino nationals, to register a will that directs how their UAE-held assets are distributed according to their own wishes rather than under default rules. For more context, see our guide on Federal Decree-Law No. 41 of 2022 explained.
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How UAE Inheritance Rules Apply to Filipino Nationals
The majority of Filipino expats in the UAE are Christian and therefore non-Muslim. This matters because UAE personal status law draws a clear distinction between Muslim and non-Muslim residents when it comes to inheritance and will registration.
Non-Muslim Expat Status Under UAE Personal Status Law
Under Federal Decree-Law No. 41 of 2022, non-Muslim expatriates have a distinct legal pathway for personal status matters, including the registration of wills. This law provides non-Muslim expats with the ability to structure their estate according to their own wishes through the ADJD's official process. Filipino nationals who are non-Muslim are eligible to use this pathway. UAE nationality is not a requirement for registration.
It is worth noting that Federal Decree-Law No. 41 of 2022 also contains provisions allowing non-Muslim expats to elect for their home-country law to govern certain personal status matters. The implications of such an election are specific to individual circumstances and require independent legal advice to assess properly. This article does not advise on that choice.
Which Assets Are Covered by a UAE ADJD Will
An ADJD will covers assets located within the UAE. This includes UAE bank accounts, UAE real property, vehicles registered in the UAE, and other tangible assets held in the country. The ADJD is the competent authority for non-Muslim will registration in Abu Dhabi. For a broader overview, see how the ADJD non-Muslim will works.
Assets Outside the UAE: What a UAE Will Does and Does Not Cover
A UAE ADJD will is scoped to UAE-held assets. It does not govern assets held in the Philippines, in third countries, or in offshore accounts outside UAE jurisdiction. If you have assets in multiple countries, each jurisdiction typically requires its own instrument or legal process. Anyone with assets in the Philippines and the UAE should seek independent qualified legal advice on cross-border estate planning, as the interaction between jurisdictions involves complexity that a document-preparation service cannot address.
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What the ADJD Non-Muslim Will Covers
The ADJD non-Muslim will is a structured legal document that covers several key decisions. Understanding what it includes, and what it does not, helps you prepare your instructions accurately.
Appointing Beneficiaries for UAE-Held Assets
The will template allows you to name the specific individuals who will receive your UAE-held assets. For Filipino expats, this commonly means naming family members based in the Philippines. The template supports naming beneficiaries regardless of their country of residence. UAE Expat Will is a document-preparation service and cannot advise on which beneficiaries to name or in what proportions; those are decisions for you to make, with legal advice if needed.
Naming a Guardian for Minor Children in the UAE
If you have minor children resident in the UAE, the ADJD non-Muslim will template includes a section for appointing a guardian. This is particularly relevant for Filipino expat families where one or both parents work in the UAE and children may be resident here. It is important to understand that UAE courts retain discretion over guardianship appointments and will consider the best interests of the child. Naming a guardian in your will is not a guarantee of outcome. For further detail, see appointing a guardian in a UAE will.
Appointing an Executor
The will also allows you to name an executor, the person responsible for administering your estate according to your instructions. The executor should be someone you trust who is capable of carrying out administrative duties, which may involve dealing with UAE banks, government departments, and courts.
Assets Typically Excluded or Handled Separately
Certain asset types may require separate legal instruments or fall outside the scope of an ADJD will. These include business interests requiring specific succession planning, jointly held assets with particular ownership structures, and assets located outside the UAE. The table in the costs section below also outlines scope at a glance.
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The ADJD Bilingual Template: What Filipino Expats Should Know
One of the practical questions Filipino expats ask is whether the UAE will document needs to be in Arabic. The answer is that the ADJD template is already bilingual.
Why the Will Is in Arabic and English
The official ADJD non-Muslim will template (reference ADJD-NM0723-07-03) is produced in both Arabic and English as a standard feature. Arabic is the language of UAE courts, and the bilingual format ensures the document meets court requirements without requiring a separate translation step.
How the Template Maps to Official ADJD Requirements
UAE Expat Will maps your answers directly onto the official ADJD-NM0723-07-03 template. The output is the court-ready bilingual document. There is no additional formatting, translation commission, or third-party step required to prepare the document for submission at your ADJD appointment.
No Translation Add-On Needed: Arabic Is Built In
Some expats are concerned about translation costs on top of legal fees. Because the ADJD template is inherently bilingual, Arabic is included as standard. There is no translation add-on, and UAE Expat Will does not charge separately for the Arabic portion of the document.
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Step-by-Step: How to Register an ADJD Will as a Filipino Expat
Registering an ADJD will involves preparation, document gathering, and attending an appointment at the ADJD. The process is self-managed; UAE Expat Will prepares your document but does not file, register, or attend on your behalf.
Eligibility Checklist Before You Start
| Requirement | Self-Check | |---|---| | Non-Muslim status | Yes / No | | Valid UAE residency visa | Yes / No | | Valid passport (with details to hand) | Yes / No | | List of UAE-held assets prepared | Yes / No | | Names and details of proposed beneficiaries | Yes / No | | Decision on executor (name and contact details) | Yes / No | | Decision on guardian for minor children (if applicable) | Yes / No |
For a more detailed version, see the UAE will registration checklist.
Completing the UAE Expat Will Self-Registration Process
UAE Expat Will is an online document-preparation platform. You answer a structured set of questions through the platform, and your answers are mapped onto the official ADJD bilingual template. The output is a completed, court-ready will document. You then take that document to your ADJD appointment. UAE Expat Will does not provide legal advice, attend appointments, or file documents on your behalf.
Documents You Will Need at the ADJD Appointment
You will need to bring your completed will document along with supporting identification and residency documents. The exact document list for the ADJD registration appointment should be confirmed against current ADJD guidance at the time you book, as requirements may be updated. Verify the current list directly with the ADJD before your appointment date.
The ADJD Appointment Queue and What to Expect on the Day
The ADJD appointment queue for will registration runs into months. This is not a process you can complete at short notice. Starting the preparation process early, and booking your appointment as soon as your document is ready, is the practical approach. On the day, you attend the ADJD office with your completed document and supporting materials, pay the court registration fee directly to the court, and complete the registration formalities. UAE Expat Will has no role in the appointment itself.
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Costs of a UAE Will for Filipino Expats
Total costs involve two separate payments to two separate parties. The table below sets out what you pay, to whom, and when.
Cost Breakdown Table
| Item | Single Will | Couple Wills | Paid To | |---|---|---|---| | UAE Expat Will document preparation | AED 1,199 | AED 1,799 | UAE Expat Will | | ADJD court registration fee | AED 950 | AED 950 per will (AED 1,900 total) | ADJD directly | | Total (single) | AED 2,149 | | | | Total (couple) | | AED 3,699 | |
For a full breakdown of costs across UAE will options, see UAE will for expats: cost breakdown. For information on registering wills as a couple, see couple wills in the UAE.
UAE Expat Will Preparation Fee
The AED 1,199 single will fee covers the document-preparation service. This includes access to the online platform, the structured question-and-answer process, and the production of your completed bilingual ADJD will document. UAE Expat Will is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice as part of this service.
ADJD Court Registration Fee
The AED 950 fee per will is paid directly to the ADJD at the time of your registration appointment. UAE Expat Will does not collect this fee and is not involved in the payment. Verify the current fee against the ADJD fee schedule before your appointment, as court fees are subject to change.
No Hidden Fees: What You Pay and to Whom
There are no additional fees charged by UAE Expat Will beyond the preparation fee listed above. There is no Arabic translation add-on, no registration assistance fee, and no membership requirement. The only other cost is the ADJD court fee paid directly to the court.
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What a UAE ADJD Will Can and Cannot Cover
| In Scope | Out of Scope | |---|---| | UAE bank accounts | Assets held in the Philippines | | UAE real property | Assets held in other countries | | Vehicles registered in the UAE | Business succession requiring separate instruments | | Guardianship of minor children resident in UAE (subject to court discretion) | Jointly held assets with specific ownership structures | | Personal belongings located in the UAE | Trusts or corporate structures requiring separate legal instruments |
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Common Questions Filipino Expats Ask About UAE Wills
Can a Filipino national register a will in the UAE?
Yes. Filipino nationals who are non-Muslim can register a will through the ADJD under Federal Decree-Law No. 41 of 2022. UAE nationality is not required. You will need valid UAE residency documentation for the registration appointment. Confirm exact documentation requirements directly with the ADJD before attending.
What happens if a Filipino expat dies in the UAE without a will?
UAE courts apply default distribution rules to UAE-held assets. These rules may not align with your wishes or with Philippine family arrangements. A registered UAE will overrides those defaults for the assets it covers, giving your family a clearer and faster path through the estate administration process.
Does a Philippine will cover assets held in the UAE?
Generally, assets located in the UAE are subject to UAE jurisdiction, and a Philippine will does not automatically govern their distribution. A separate UAE-registered will is the standard approach to directing how UAE-held assets are distributed. Anyone with cross-border estate questions should seek independent qualified legal advice, as this is outside what a document-preparation service can address.
Is the UAE Expat Will document in Arabic or English?
Both. The ADJD template is bilingual Arabic-English as standard. Arabic is built into the document, matching the official ADJD-NM0723-07-03 template format required for court registration. There is no separate translation step or add-on charge.
How much does a UAE will cost for a Filipino expat?
UAE Expat Will charges AED 1,199 for a single will or AED 1,799 for a couple. The ADJD court registration fee is AED 950 per will, paid directly to the court. The total for a single person is AED 2,149. UAE Expat Will does not collect the court fee.
How long does ADJD will registration take?
The ADJD appointment queue runs into months. Preparing your document early and booking your appointment as soon as possible is the practical approach. UAE Expat Will helps you prepare a complete, accurate document before your appointment date, but the appointment and registration itself are managed by you directly with the ADJD.
Can I name family members in the Philippines as beneficiaries in my UAE will?
The ADJD will template allows you to name your chosen beneficiaries. There is no restriction in the template on beneficiaries being resident outside the UAE. UAE Expat Will is a document-preparation service and cannot advise on individual beneficiary choices. Review your completed document carefully and seek legal advice if you have specific questions about your arrangements.
Can I appoint a guardian for my children in a UAE will?
The ADJD non-Muslim will template includes a guardian appointment section. This allows you to name a preferred guardian for minor children resident in the UAE. Courts retain discretion over guardianship decisions and will assess the best interests of the child independently. Naming a guardian in a will is not a guarantee of that outcome. If you need legal guidance on guardianship, consult a qualified UAE lawyer. See also appointing a guardian in a UAE will.
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Checklist Before You Start Your UAE Will
Before beginning the document-preparation process, gathering the following information will make the process straightforward.
| Item | Status | |---|---| | Confirm non-Muslim status applies to you | Confirmed / Check needed | | UAE residency visa is current and valid | Confirmed / Check needed | | Passport details are to hand (number, expiry, country of issue) | Ready / Pending | | List of UAE-held assets prepared (accounts, property, vehicles) | Ready / Pending | | Names, nationalities, and contact details of intended beneficiaries | Ready / Pending | | Decision made on executor and their details available | Ready / Pending | | Decision made on guardian for minor children (if applicable) | Ready / Pending | | ADJD appointment booked or ready to book once document is complete | Booked / To do | | AED 950 court fee ready to pay directly to ADJD at appointment | Ready / Pending |
Having all of this information to hand before starting the platform process means you can complete your will document in a single session without interruption.
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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 for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws, fees, and court procedures change; always verify current requirements against official sources including adjd.gov.ae and uaelegislation.gov.ae before proceeding. For advice on your specific circumstances, including cross-border estate planning between the UAE and the Philippines, consult a qualified lawyer in the relevant jurisdictions. UAE Expat Will does not file, register, or attend appointments on behalf of customers.
Ready to prepare your UAE will? Start my will at UAE Expat Will.