Wills and Inheritance Issues
Metropolitan Consulting offers professional services in the preparation and registration of wills of any type, as well as legal support in inheritance proceedings in the UAE.
- Dubai
- Abu Dhabi
- Sharjah
- Ajman
- Umm Al Quwain
- Ras Al Khaimah
- Fujairah
Why Wills are important
in the UAE
In case of inheritance disputes, Sharia law applies in the UAE, which makes the distribution of assets unpredictable and very time-consuming. A will allows you to personally decide how your assets will be distributed and to appoint a guardian for your children.
- 01
Full control over your assets
You personally decide how to distribute your property, bank accounts, and company shares
- 02
Appointing a guardian for your children
Under Sharia law, the mother is not always appointed as the guardian, and the guardian may be determined by the court
- 03
Freedom to choose the law and jurisdiction
Allows you to apply the law of your home country or choose more flexible conditions for asset distribution
- 04
Minimize legal disputes and speed up inheritance
Without a will, inheritance matters must be settled through court proceedings
Inheritance process with and without a will
In case of inheritance disputes, Sharia law applies in the UAE, which makes the distribution of assets unpredictable and very time-consuming. A will allows you to personally decide how your assets will be distributed and to appoint a guardian for your children.
Where can an expat register a will in the UAE?
DIFC Wills (Dubai International Financial Center)
Non-Muslim expats can register a will at the DIFC Wills Service Centre. Such a document allows foreigners to avoid the application of Sharia and ensure the distribution of property according to their wishes. Thanks to changes in DIFC rules, non-Muslim expats can include both movable and immovable property, which is located in all emirates and in any country, in their will.
- They are governed by common British law, which is easily recognized in foreign jurisdictions, making them easier to execute
- Their content is thoroughly reviewed and verified by the DIFC Wills Service Centre before registration
- They are drafted, registered, and executed in English
- They do not require legal translation into Arabic, unlike other types of wills.
The most comprehensive option is the Full Will, covering all types of property.
A Full Will can be either individual (DIFC Single Full Will) or mirror (DIFC Mirror Full Wills) for spouses.
ADJD Wills (Abu Dhabi Judicial Department)
ADJD allows the possibility for the registration of civil wills for both Muslims and non-Muslims. An ADJD will enables the waiver of Sharia application and ensures the distribution of property according to the applicant's wishes. Furthermore, the testator can designate beneficiaries and appoint guardians for their minor children.
An ADJD will can be prepared in two ways: using the standard template from ADJD or creating a custom document with the help of a lawyer.
We recommend choosing an individual will with legal support, as the ADJD template is limited in scope and cannot include your formulations.
Dubai Courts Wills
Non-Muslim expats can also draft wills at the Dubai Courts Notary Public. Such a document can cover property in all Emirates and include provisions for guardianship. Dubai Courts' wills must be legally translated into Arabic before notarial certification.
What happens if a will is not registered in the UAE?
In the absence of a legally formalized will in the UAE, the process of transferring assets after the death of the owner can be extremely laborious, costly and fraught with legal difficulties. In this case, property inheritance will proceed according to Sharia laws and the court will distribute shares among the heirs at its discretion.
- 01
Property Gift Transfer
Real estate donation is a common practice in the UAE. When transferring property as a gift, there is no need to pay the 4% duty, which is charged on all real estate transactions.
Learn more - 02
Issuing a Power of Attorney in the UAE
A power of attorney (POA) in the UAE is a legal document that allows one person to act on behalf of another within the specified powers.
Learn more - 03
Real Estate Disputes
Metropolitan Consulting is ready to assist you in difficult cases concerning real estate, as well as resolve real estate disputes through litigation and pre-trial settlement.
Learn more
The first company in the group, was established in 2008. We provide advisory and operational support for entrepreneurs, investors, and companies entering or operating in the UAE. Our expertise covers business structuring, corporate support, legal and tax advisory, as well as residency and investment-related consulting. With offices in Dubai and Sharjah, we work with clients worldwide, offering a discreet, structured, and long-term approach.
All services are provided as private advisory and assistance. We do not represent government authorities and do not issue official documents.
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