# How to Make a UAE Will as an Indian Expat
Indian expats in the UAE can register a will with the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department under Federal Decree-Law No. 41 of 2022. Without a UAE will, UAE assets may be distributed under intestacy rules that do not reflect Indian succession preferences. A registered ADJD will overrides this default for non-Muslim expatriates and gives you direct control over how UAE-held assets pass to your chosen beneficiaries.
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Why Indian Expats in the UAE Need a Separate Will
Many Indian nationals living and working in the UAE assume that an existing Indian will, or the natural operation of Indian succession law, will cover everything they own. That assumption is worth examining carefully before relying on it. The UAE is a separate legal jurisdiction, and assets physically located here, including property, bank accounts, and business interests, are subject to UAE law in the first instance. A will drafted and registered in India addresses Indian-situated assets. It does not, by default, govern what happens to the bank account you hold in Abu Dhabi or the apartment you own in Dubai.
The practical consequence of this gap is that Indian expats who die in the UAE without a registered UAE will leave their estate to be resolved through a UAE court process that may produce outcomes very different from what they intended, and very different from what Indian succession law would produce for those same assets if they were located in India.
Your Indian will does not automatically cover UAE assets
Under the UAE's private international law framework, the law of the country where an asset is located plays a significant role in how that asset is dealt with after death. Federal Decree-Law No. 41 of 2022 (uaelegislation.gov.ae) sets out the current framework for non-Muslim expatriates and establishes the mechanism by which a non-Muslim can register a will that governs UAE-situated assets. An Indian will that has not been presented to, or registered with, a UAE court does not automatically take effect here.
This is not a criticism of the Indian legal system. It is simply a feature of how international private law works: each jurisdiction applies its own rules to assets within its borders.
What intestacy means for Indian nationals in the UAE
Intestacy means dying without a valid, enforceable will in the relevant jurisdiction. For Indian nationals who hold UAE assets and have no registered UAE will, the UAE court will decide how those assets are distributed. The applicable rules can differ substantially from the outcome an Indian family would expect under the Indian Succession Act or Hindu Succession Act. The distribution may not reflect the wishes of the deceased, the expectations of the surviving spouse, or the practical needs of dependent children.
The asset-freeze risk when no UAE will exists
When a person dies in the UAE, UAE bank accounts are typically frozen pending a court order (adjd.gov.ae). This applies regardless of nationality. Without a registered will, the process of obtaining a court order to release those funds and transfer assets to beneficiaries can take a considerable period. During that time, a surviving spouse or dependent family members may have no access to shared accounts, funds held in the deceased's name, or property registered solely to the deceased. The freeze itself is not a punishment; it is a procedural step. But its practical impact on a family that has just lost a breadwinner can be severe.
A registered UAE will does not eliminate all delay, but it gives the court a clear, legally registered instruction from the outset and avoids the additional complexity of an uncontested intestacy application.
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Which Law Governs Your UAE Estate
The legal framework for non-Muslim expatriate wills in the UAE has been substantially clarified in recent years. Understanding the basic structure helps explain why a UAE will exists as a distinct product and why it matters for Indian nationals specifically.
Federal Decree-Law No. 41 of 2022 explained plainly
Federal Decree-Law No. 41 of 2022 on Personal Status (uaelegislation.gov.ae) is the primary legislation governing personal status matters in the UAE. For non-Muslim expatriates, it provides a mechanism to elect home-country succession law or to register a will that directs the distribution of UAE assets. This replaced an earlier, less certain framework and gave non-Muslim expats a clearer and more accessible route to registering a will that UAE courts will recognise.
The law does not require non-Muslim expatriates to use Sharia inheritance principles. It creates a formal, accessible path for registering a document that UAE courts treat as authoritative. The Abu Dhabi Judicial Department administers this process and publishes the official will template.
How the law treats non-Muslim non-GCC expatriates
Indian nationals fall squarely within the category of non-Muslim, non-GCC expatriates. The ADJD confirms on its website (adjd.gov.ae) that this category of resident is eligible to register a will under the current framework. There is no requirement to be Muslim, no requirement to be a GCC national, and no requirement to hold a UAE passport. The eligibility conditions are discussed in more detail in the section on the ADJD registration process below.
Interaction with Indian succession law: a scope note
A UAE will registered with the ADJD covers UAE-situated assets only. It does not reach into India or govern the distribution of property, bank accounts, shares, or other assets held in India. Indian assets remain governed by Indian succession law, which means an Indian will or the applicable Indian intestacy statute continues to apply to those assets. If you hold significant assets in both countries, separate wills for each jurisdiction is a practical approach that a number of Indian expats take. UAE Expat Will prepares UAE documents only. For Indian assets, separate professional advice in India would be relevant.
For a broader overview of how Federal Decree-Law No. 41 of 2022 applies to expatriates, see the Federal Decree-Law No. 41 of 2022 overview on this site.
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What a UAE Will Can and Cannot Cover
Understanding the scope of an ADJD will before preparing one avoids surprises later. The scope is defined by the ADJD and relates primarily to assets that have a legal nexus to the UAE.
Assets typically covered: property, bank accounts, vehicles, business shares
The following asset types are generally within scope of an ADJD will, based on ADJD documentation (adjd.gov.ae):
| Asset Type | In Scope for ADJD Will | |---|---| | UAE real estate (freehold or leasehold) | Yes | | UAE bank accounts and savings | Yes | | UAE-registered vehicles | Yes | | UAE business interests and shares | Yes | | Personal property located in the UAE | Yes | | Assets held in India | No | | DIFC or ADGM registered assets | Separate process applies | | Pension or end-of-service gratuity | Governed by separate rules | | Indian bank accounts or property | No |
The table above is a general guide. The scope of any individual estate depends on how specific assets are held, where they are legally registered, and the structure of any business interests. UAE Expat Will is a document-preparation service and cannot assess the scope of any individual's assets.
Assets outside the scope of a UAE ADJD will
Assets registered or located in India are not governed by an ADJD will. Pension entitlements and end-of-service gratuity benefits are typically governed by UAE employment law and relevant regulations, not by a personal will. Assets held in structures registered with the DIFC or ADGM fall under those authorities' own wills frameworks, which are separate from the ADJD process. If you hold assets in those structures, you would need to confirm the applicable registration process directly with the relevant authority.
Guardianship provisions for minor children
The ADJD will template includes a section for appointing a guardian for minor children. This is one of the most practically significant provisions for Indian expat families who have children living with them in the UAE. Without a will that includes a guardianship appointment, a court will make that determination without guidance from the deceased parent.
Whether a UAE court will honour a specific guardianship appointment is subject to court discretion and will depend on individual circumstances. A will that includes a guardianship nomination gives the court a starting point and a clear expression of the parents' wishes. It does not guarantee a specific outcome. For more detail on this topic, see guardianship provisions in a UAE will.
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How ADJD Will Registration Works
The ADJD administers the registration of non-Muslim expatriate wills in Abu Dhabi. The process is formal, requires an in-person appointment, and uses an official bilingual template. UAE Expat Will prepares the documents; the customer completes registration directly with the ADJD.
For a full procedural walkthrough, see how ADJD will registration works.
Eligibility requirements for Indian nationals
Based on ADJD published guidance (adjd.gov.ae), the eligibility conditions for registering a non-Muslim expatriate will with the ADJD include the following:
| Eligibility Condition | Indian National Position | |---|---| | Non-Muslim | Yes, applies to most Indian nationals | | Non-GCC nationality | Yes, India is not a GCC member state | | UAE residency | Required: hold a valid UAE residence visa | | Adult age | Required: the testator must be an adult | | Asset nexus to UAE | Required: assets located in the UAE |
UAE Expat Will cannot assess whether any individual meets all eligibility requirements. Confirm your eligibility directly with the ADJD or through independent legal advice before proceeding.
The bilingual ADJD template (ADJD-NM0723-07-03)
The official ADJD will template for non-Muslim expatriates carries the reference ADJD-NM0723-07-03, as published on the ADJD website (adjd.gov.ae). The template is bilingual in English and Arabic. Arabic is not a separate translation or an add-on service; both languages appear within the same official document. UAE Expat Will maps your answers onto this official bilingual template. The document you receive is formatted to match what the ADJD requires.
The self-registration process step by step
UAE Expat Will is a document-preparation service. The registration process itself is completed by the customer directly with the ADJD. The general sequence is:
- Complete the UAE Expat Will questionnaire at uaeexpatwill.com/app. Your answers are mapped onto the ADJD-NM0723-07-03 template.
- Review your completed bilingual will document and confirm the details are accurate.
- Book an appointment with the ADJD through the ADJD's own booking system.
- Attend the ADJD appointment in person, bringing the prepared document and the required supporting documents (typically your passport, Emirates ID, and proof of UAE residency).
- Pay the AED 950 court registration fee directly to the ADJD at the appointment.
- The ADJD registers the will and provides a registration confirmation.
UAE Expat Will provides a preparation checklist to help you gather the required documents. The service does not book ADJD appointments, attend on your behalf, or provide legal advice at any stage.
Appointment queues at the ADJD
The ADJD appointment queue for will registration runs into months (adjd.gov.ae). UAE Expat Will prepares your documents quickly, but the registration date itself depends entirely on ADJD availability. If you are preparing a will in response to an imminent event such as a planned surgery, a major property purchase, or a planned move out of the UAE, the practical advice is to begin the process as early as possible.
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Costs and Fees
The total cost of registering an ADJD will has two components: the document-preparation fee charged by UAE Expat Will and the court registration fee paid directly to the ADJD. These are separate payments to separate parties.
Document-preparation fees
| Option | UAE Expat Will Fee | What Is Included | |---|---|---| | Single will | AED 1,199 | One bilingual ADJD will document, preparation checklist | | Couple wills (two wills prepared together) | AED 1,799 | Two bilingual ADJD will documents, preparation checklist |
Couple wills are two separate legal documents, one for each person. They are priced together as a package. See UAE will for expat couples for more detail on how couple wills work.
Court registration fee paid directly to ADJD
The ADJD charges a court registration fee of AED 950 per will, payable directly to the ADJD at the time of the registration appointment (adjd.gov.ae). This fee is not collected by UAE Expat Will and is not included in the document-preparation fee. It is a separate government charge paid at the court.
Single will vs couple wills: total cost comparison
| | Single Will | Couple Wills (Two Wills) | |---|---|---| | UAE Expat Will preparation fee | AED 1,199 | AED 1,799 | | ADJD court fee (per will, paid to ADJD) | AED 950 | AED 1,900 (AED 950 x 2) | | Total (approximate) | AED 2,149 | AED 3,699 |
Court fees are subject to change. Confirm the current fee directly with the ADJD at adjd.gov.ae before your appointment. For a detailed breakdown of all costs, see UAE will costs and court fees explained.
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Common Questions from Indian Expats
Do I need a UAE will if I already have a will in India?
An Indian will generally does not govern UAE-held assets. A separate UAE will registered with the ADJD is needed to direct the distribution of property, bank accounts, and other assets located in the UAE. The two documents can coexist, with each governing assets in its own jurisdiction.
What happens if an Indian expat dies in the UAE without a will?
UAE courts may apply intestacy rules. For non-Muslims, this can still lead to outcomes that differ from Indian succession preferences or family circumstances. UAE bank accounts and property may be frozen until the court resolves the estate, which can take a considerable period. See what happens without a UAE will for more detail.
Can an Indian national register a will with the ADJD?
Yes. Indian nationals are non-Muslim, non-GCC expatriates and are eligible to register a will with the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department under Federal Decree-Law No. 41 of 2022, provided they hold assets in the UAE and meet the ADJD's other eligibility requirements (adjd.gov.ae).
Is the ADJD will available in English?
The official ADJD template is bilingual in English and Arabic. Arabic is not a separate add-on; both languages appear in the same document. UAE Expat Will maps your answers onto this official bilingual template automatically.
How much does it cost to register a UAE will as an Indian expat?
UAE Expat Will charges AED 1,199 for a single will or AED 1,799 for two wills prepared together. A court registration fee of AED 950 per will is paid directly to the ADJD at the time of registration. UAE Expat Will does not collect the court fee.
How long does ADJD will registration take?
The ADJD appointment queue runs into months (adjd.gov.ae). UAE Expat Will prepares your documents quickly, but the registration appointment itself depends on ADJD availability. Starting the process well in advance of any significant life event or planned change in circumstances is a practical step.
Can I appoint a guardian for my children in a UAE will?
The ADJD will template includes provisions for appointing a guardian for minor children. Whether a UAE court will honour a specific guardianship appointment is subject to court discretion and individual circumstances. Including a nomination in your will gives the court a documented expression of your wishes.
Does a UAE will cover my Indian property or bank accounts in India?
No. A UAE ADJD will covers assets located in the UAE. Indian assets are governed by Indian succession law. Separate arrangements in India would be needed for those assets.
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How to Get Started
Preparing a UAE will as an Indian expat involves two main actions: producing the correctly formatted bilingual document and then registering it with the ADJD in person. UAE Expat Will handles the first part through a guided online questionnaire. You handle the second part directly with the ADJD using the document, checklist, and preparation guidance provided.
The process is accessible without a law degree. The questionnaire walks through testator details, beneficiary designations, asset descriptions, executor appointments, and optional guardianship provisions. Your answers are mapped automatically onto the official ADJD-NM0723-07-03 bilingual template. The completed document is formatted to meet ADJD requirements.
After receiving your documents, you book your own ADJD appointment, gather the supporting documents identified in the checklist, attend in person, and pay the AED 950 court fee directly to the ADJD. Registration confirmation comes from the ADJD directly.
Given that the ADJD appointment queue runs into months, there is a practical case for beginning the preparation process sooner rather than later. The documents can be prepared and held ready while you wait for an appointment date.
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This article is produced by UAE Expat Will, a document-preparation service. UAE Expat Will is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice, legal consultation, or legal representation. The content of this article is general information only and does not constitute legal advice. Nothing in this article should be relied upon as an assessment of your individual circumstances, eligibility, or legal position. Laws, court fees, and procedures may change; always verify current requirements directly with the ADJD at adjd.gov.ae and review the current legislation at uaelegislation.gov.ae. For advice about your specific situation, consult a qualified lawyer licensed to practise in the UAE.
Ready to prepare your UAE will? Start the guided questionnaire at uaeexpatwill.com/app and receive your completed bilingual ADJD will document, formatted to the official template, ready for your ADJD registration appointment.