The Ultimate Guide to Wills and POA’s in Dubai

In the UAE, having a Will is extremely important. If someone passes away without one, Sharia law applies by default, leading to fixed inheritance rules and the court appointing a guardian for any minor children. The process can also become lengthy due to required attestations, translations, and court procedures before any assets can be transferred.

A registered Will allows you to decide who inherits your assets, who cares for your children, and how your estate is managed. It offers clarity, protection, and a smoother experience for your family during a difficult time.

When someone passes away in the UAE, the steps that follow depend on whether a Will exists.

With a Will, the executor submits the Will, death certificate, ID documents, and proof of assets to the court. Once the file is opened and processed, a court order is usually issued within six to eight weeks. If the Will is registered with the DIFC, the procedure can be completed virtually, and the executor may appoint a representative through a power of attorney. After the order is issued, assets are transferred to the named beneficiaries, making this route the most efficient and predictable.

Without a Will, the process is longer and more complex. The family must identify all legal heirs under Sharia law, prioritizing parents, spouse, and children; if no male heirs exist in this group, siblings are included. All ID documents must be gathered, and an appointment is set before a judge. Two witnesses must testify to confirm the heirs. The court then issues a succession certificate outlining each heir’s share. The heirs must decide whether to accept their shares or waive them for another family member. Only then can asset transfer begin. This usually takes three to four months and may extend to six.

For Will registration, individuals with UAE assets or residency may register in any jurisdiction across the seven emirates, including DIFC or ADGM. Common jurisdictions include DIFC, Abu Dhabi Courts (ADJD), and Dubai Courts. Without a Will, the responsible court depends on the person’s residence visa or the asset’s location.

When registering a Will in the UAE, there are three main jurisdictions—ADJD, Dubai Courts, and DIFC—each offering different costs, timelines, and advantages.

1. ADJD (Abu Dhabi Judicial Department)

ADJD is the most cost-efficient option, with a registration fee of AED 950. The process is fully virtual, quick, and requires no in-person visit. Wills are bilingual, with English and Arabic side by side. Probate is conducted in Arabic, but those who prefer not to handle the Arabic process can issue a Power of Attorney to manage it on their behalf. A key update is that expat Muslims have been allowed to register Wills here since mid-2021, making ADJD the most common choice for them today.

2. Dubai Courts

Dubai Courts charge AED 2,150 per Will. The process is fast, walk-in, and typically completed within two days. Wills are bilingual, and probate is in Arabic. The main benefit is speed—appointments are readily available, unlike Abu Dhabi, where high demand can mean a five-to-six-week wait.

3. DIFC (Dubai International Financial Centre)

DIFC is the premium option, costing AED 10,000 for a single Will or AED 15,000 for a couple (after a 50% discount). Its advantages include an entirely English Will, English-language probate, a fully virtual process, and the ability to include assets from multiple countries. Because DIFC follows common-law principles, assets in countries such as India, Singapore, Australia, the UK, and the US can be covered, and DIFC issues an execution approval to initiate local probate abroad.

Registering a Will in the UAE is straightforward, but a few key requirements apply. The testator must be of sound mind, at least 21 years old, and act freely without any pressure or influence.

Wills are usually drafted in a broad, all-encompassing manner, covering both current assets and any assets acquired later. This ensures new properties, bank accounts, or investments are automatically included without needing regular updates.

A standard Will typically contains:

• Executor clause – appointing the person(s) who will manage the estate
• Beneficiary clause – specifying who inherits the estate
• Guardianship clause – naming guardians for children under 21

Backup provisions are usually added so the Will remains valid even if an executor or beneficiary passes away. Once registered with ADJD, Dubai Courts, or DIFC, the Will is private, and court records are not publicly accessible.

DIFC Wills, though more expensive, are entirely in English, follow common-law principles, and offer a more streamlined probate process. These requirements and protections ensure your estate is administered exactly as you intend.

Will registration in the UAE is available to both expats and residents, but the options differ based on personal and religious status.

Non-Muslims can register their Wills with ADJD (Abu Dhabi), Dubai Courts, or DIFC. Expat Muslims currently have only one route: ADJD, following legal changes in Abu Dhabi that allow them to register Wills. UAE nationals, however, are not permitted to register Wills in the courts at this time.

These rules ensure that individuals have access to Will registration in a way that aligns with UAE inheritance laws while respecting personal and religious considerations.

You can absolutely keep your home-country Will valid while living in the UAE, and there are two recognized ways to do this:

1. DIFC Will

A DIFC Will allows you to include assets from multiple countries, as long as those jurisdictions accept it. Because DIFC follows a common-law framework, it aligns well with countries such as the UK, US, Singapore, India, and Australia. During probate, DIFC issues an approval stamp specific to that country, which is then used to continue the probate process in that jurisdiction’s courts.

2. Embassy Attestation

Many embassies in the UAE offer Will attestation services. You sign your home-country Will before a consular officer, with witnesses if required. Once attested, the Will becomes valid for use in your home country’s legal system. For Indian nationals, this is typically done through IVS, which manages services for the Indian Embassy.

Both options allow UAE residents to secure their non-UAE assets while living abroad.

A Power of Attorney (POA) is often mistaken for a Will, but the two documents serve very different purposes.

POA vs Will

A POA is only valid during the lifetime of both the person granting the power and the person receiving it. If either party passes away, the POA becomes automatically invalid, and the Will takes over for asset distribution and probate. This means a POA is not used for post-death matters and does not replace the function of a Will.

When a POA Is Useful

POAs are commonly used in the UAE when someone is:

• Travelling
• Hospitalized or unable to move
• Dealing with temporary or permanent mental incapacity
• Needing someone to handle a specific transaction on their behalf Once registered with the court, the appointed person can act on behalf of the grantor for the authorized tasks.

A UAE Will can cover a broad range of assets, allowing individuals to maintain full control over how their estate is managed.

Common Assets Included in a Will

In the UAE, the assets most commonly covered include:

• Real estate properties – the primary asset for many expats and investors
• Bank accounts – including both personal and company accounts
• Company shares or business ownership
• Investments and securities
• End-of-service benefits – a key asset for employees.

Timeline to Register a Will in the UAE

The registration timeline varies depending on the authority you choose:

● ADJD (Abu Dhabi Judicial Department)

Currently the most in-demand option. There is generally a 6–7 week wait for an appointment due to high volume. Previously the wait was around 4 weeks, but increased demand has extended timelines.

● Dubai Courts The fastest option.

It is a walk-in process usually completed in 2 days—one day for drafting and the following day for registration.

● DIFC Wills Service

Timelines depend on appointment availability, typically around 4–6 weeks. DIFC adjusts slots based on demand and may open additional appointments. They also consider urgent or compassionate cases, allowing expedited registration for individuals who are critically ill. Overall, the UAE offers a streamlined process, with Dubai Courts being nearly immediate and ADJD/DIFC averaging about one month.

1. Identification for All Individuals Named in the Will

You must provide proper identification for every person mentioned in the Will, including:

• Emirates ID
• Passport
• Residence visa
•  If someone does not have an Emirates ID, a passport copy alone is acceptable. All documents must be clear scanned copies with all four corners visible. These can be emailed—no in-person meeting is needed at this stage.

2. Current Residential Address

3. Asset Information (Only If Distribution Is Non-Generic)

• All assets go to the spouse
• If the spouse is not alive, assets pass equally to the children (e.g., 50/50 for two children)
•  Because this structure is generic, asset lists are NOT required.
•  However, if a specific asset must go to a particular beneficiary, details of that asset are required. For example, if a husband wants a property to go directly to his first child instead of to his spouse first, full property details must be provided so the Will can state this clearly, with backup beneficiaries included.

4. Remote or In-Person Options

• Can be amended at any time by paying a small fee of 575 AED per amendment.
• Offers flexibility to adjust assets, beneficiaries, or other clauses without revoking the entire Will.

• Do not allow direct amendments.
• To update a Will, you must revoke the existing one and register a new Will.
• It is recommended to include a clause in the new Will stating that all previous Wills are revoked for clarity.

It is recommended that a Will be reviewed every five years, or every three years for those who prefer closer oversight, to ensure it reflects changes in personal circumstances, beneficiaries, or the appointment of executors and guardians. Most UAE Wills include backup clauses for assets, beneficiaries, and guardians, providing a long-term framework.

Significant life events require an immediate review. Marriage, divorce, the birth of a child, or major financial changes may impact a Will’s provisions, and updating it promptly ensures it continues to accurately reflect your intentions and provides proper legal protection for your estate and beneficiaries.

The probate timeline in the UAE depends on whether a Will is in place.

With a Will:
 Probate is streamlined and typically takes around 2 months (6–8 weeks). If the death certificate is issued outside the UAE, an additional month may be required for attestations.

Without a Will:
 The process is longer and more complex due to Sharia law inheritance rules, legal heir identification, and family discussions regarding asset distribution. This can take 6 months or more.Having a Will significantly reduces delays, costs, and potential disputes.

• A POA ends upon the death of either party, unless otherwise revoked or time-bound.
• Always check the expiry date if your POA has a set duration.
• Major life changes—such as marriage, divorce, relocation, or changes in assets—may require immediate updates to your POA.