If you have been putting off making a Dubai will, you are not alone. The most common reason expats hold back is not fear of the process. It is simply not knowing where to start or what to have ready before they do. They find themselves asking these questions: What documents do I need? Which type of will covers my situation? Which registration route is right for me?
This step-by-step checklist answers all of those questions in order, so you can move from intention to a fully registered will in Dubai without unnecessary delays or confusion.
1. Confirm Your Eligibility
Before preparing your Will, check that you meet the requirements of your chosen registration authority. These may include the applicable minimum age (18 yrs), being of sound mind and mental capacity, and making the Will freely without coercion or undue influence. Your religion and residency status may also affect which Will options are available. Confirm these requirements first to make sure you choose the right option.
2. Take Stock of All Your UAE Assets
Before drafting your will, list every asset you hold in the UAE. This may include UAE property, bank or brokerage accounts, company shares, investments, and vehicles. Gather the relevant details for each asset, such as property title deed numbers, account details and company information, so your Will can clearly identify what you own and how it should be distributed.
3. Decide on Your Beneficiaries
For each asset, decide who you want to inherit it and in what proportion. Think carefully about contingency beneficiaries too, the people who should inherit if your primary beneficiary does not survive you. For each beneficiary, note their full legal name and relevant personal details to ensure they can be clearly identified in your Will.
4. Choose Your Executor
Your executor is the person who will carry out the instructions in your will after your death. They apply for the probate order, manage the estate, settle debts, and distribute assets to your beneficiaries. Choose someone you trust implicitly who is organised, available, and ideally based in or able to travel to the UAE.
5. Appoint Guardians for Minor Children
If you have minor children residing in Dubai, you can appoint both an interim guardian and a permanent guardian. The interim guardian takes immediate care of your children while the permanent arrangement is formalised through the courts. Make sure the people you name are willing and able to take on this responsibility.
6. Choose the Right Will Type
The right Will type depends on what you own and what you want your Will to cover. A Full Will offers the broadest coverage, while Property, Financial Assets, Business Owners and Guardianship Wills focus on specific areas. Mirror Wills can also be used by couples who want to make complementary Wills. Review your assets and choose the option that provides the coverage you need.
7. Choose Your Registration Route
You can register your Will through the ADJD, DIFC Wills Service Centre or Dubai Courts, depending on your circumstances. ADJD Wills are available to both Muslims and non-Muslims, while DIFC Wills and Dubai Courts Wills are available to non-Muslims. Review the requirements, coverage and registration process for each route before deciding which option suits you.
8. Prepare Your Documents
Gather the following before engaging a will drafting firm: a valid passport, Emirates ID if you are a UAE resident, visa page if applicable, title deed for each property, full details of bank and investment accounts, company trade licence numbers for any business shareholdings, and the full names, nationalities, and dates of birth of all named beneficiaries, guardians, and your executor.
9. Engage a Qualified Will Drafting Firm
Once your documents and instructions are ready, engage a qualified Will drafting firm to prepare your Will. Share your asset details, beneficiary information and any specific wishes with them so the Will accurately reflects your intentions and meets the requirements of your chosen registration route.
10. Review, Sign, and Register
Review your draft Will carefully to make sure your details, beneficiaries and instructions are correct. Once you are satisfied, sign it according to the requirements of your chosen registration authority and complete the registration process. Keep a copy of your registered Will and make sure your executor knows where it is stored.
Start Your Dubai Will Preparation Today
Making a Dubai will is straightforward when you follow the right steps in the right order. The checklist above covers everything from eligibility to registration, so you arrive at each stage prepared rather than discovering requirements after the fact.
Working with an experienced will drafting firm ensures your will is drafted correctly, registered through the right authority, and structured to genuinely protect your family from the day it is signed.
