The DIFC Courts Wills Service provides a specialised succession-planning framework for eligible non-Muslim individuals who wish to register a Will dealing with qualifying UAE assets and, where applicable, guardianship arrangements. Different Will types are available for different estate-planning needs, including broader estates, property, business interests, financial assets, digital assets and guardianship.
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Article contents19 sections
- Who the DIFC Wills Service Is For
- Core UAE Legal Framework
- Who Can Register a DIFC Courts Will?
- DIFC Full Will
- Property Will
- Guardianship Will
- Business Owners Will
- Financial Assets Will
- Digital Assets Will
- Mirror Wills and Booking Fees
- Modification
- Assets Outside the UAE
- Wills Draftsmen
- Probate
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Need Support With Your Document?
- Legal References
- Legal Disclaimer
- Related pages
Who the DIFC Wills Service Is For
Selecting the correct Will requires more than comparing registration fees. The testator's UAE assets, family circumstances, company interests, existing Wills and any overseas estate plan should be reviewed together. Registration is also distinct from the later probate and estate-administration process that may arise after death.
Core UAE Legal Framework
The federal starting point is Federal Decree-Law No. 20 of 2022 Regulating the Notary Profession, supported by Cabinet Resolution No. 16 of 2024 on the Executive Regulations and Cabinet Resolution No. 19 of 2024 on fees. The UAE Legislation portal lists the 2024 resolutions as active. The federal framework recognises regulated public and private notarial functions and gives legal significance to electronic signatures and electronic documents notarised in accordance with the legislation.
Primary sources:
- Federal Decree-Law No. 20 of 2022: https://uaelegislation.gov.ae/en/legislations/1563
- Cabinet Resolution No. 16 of 2024: https://uaelegislation.gov.ae/en/legislations/2322
- Cabinet Resolution No. 19 of 2024: https://uaelegislation.gov.ae/en/legislations/2491
Who Can Register a DIFC Courts Will?
The current DIFC Courts Wills FAQ states that the testator must be non-Muslim and never have been Muslim, be at least 18, and own assets in the UAE and/or have minor children residing with them in the UAE, subject to the relevant Will requirements. Source: https://www.difccourts.ae/about/faq/wills-faq
The DIFC Courts register is not the only route open to a non-Muslim testator with UAE assets, and the choice affects where the will is registered and which court handles it afterwards. We compare the options in our guide to the DIFC will and the Abu Dhabi non-Muslim will.
DIFC Full Will
A Full Will can cover movable and immovable property within the specified jurisdiction, subject to the Rules. Single and mirror Full Wills are registered at the rates published on the current DIFC Courts fee page.
Property Will
A Property Will can cover up to five UAE real-estate properties or shares in those properties. Registration fees for single and mirror versions are published on the current DIFC Courts fee page.
Guardianship Will
The Guardianship Will addresses guardianship for eligible minor children. Registration fees for single and mirror versions are published on the current DIFC Courts fee page.
Business Owners Will
This Will can cover eligible UAE company shareholdings within the service limits. Registration fees for single and mirror versions are published on the current DIFC Courts fee page.
Financial Assets Will
The Financial Assets Will covers specified eligible UAE bank and/or brokerage accounts within the service limits. Registration fees for single and mirror versions are published on the current DIFC Courts fee page.
Digital Assets Will
The current DIFC Courts fee page also lists a Digital Assets Will, in single and mirror versions. Digital estate planning should address both legal disposition and practical access/security.
Mirror Wills and Booking Fees
Mirror Wills are available for a married couple registering at the same time. The current fee page also lists non-refundable booking fees deductible from service fees subject to its conditions. Always quote the live schedule rather than an old PDF alone. Source: https://www.difccourts.ae/about/fees
Modification
A Will modification service fee applies, together with a related booking fee; both are shown on the current DIFC Courts fee page. Asset-specific Wills can require modification when listed assets change.
Assets Outside the UAE
DIFC Courts notes that a drafted Full Will may specify jurisdiction beyond the UAE, but enforcement abroad is not guaranteed. Foreign legal advice should be obtained for overseas assets.
Wills Draftsmen
DIFC Courts states that lawyers advising on drafting and registration of DIFC Courts Wills must be registered with the Wills Service. No law firm should claim registered-draftsman status unless it is current and verifiable.
Probate
After death, the DIFC Courts can deal with Probate Orders and, where necessary, Guardianship Orders under the applicable Rules. Registration and estate administration are distinct stages.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can register a will with the DIFC Courts?
The service is directed at non-Muslims with assets or interests in the UAE. Eligibility conditions apply and should be confirmed before drafting, because they determine whether this route is available at all.
Does a DIFC will cover assets outside the UAE?
It can address them, but a will made here does not override the succession rules of the country where a foreign asset sits. Where assets span several jurisdictions, the wills need to be planned together so they do not revoke or contradict one another.
Is a registered will the same as a notarised one?
No. Registration with the DIFC Courts Wills Service is a distinct process with its own requirements and its own register. Notarisation is a different act before a different authority.
Can a registered will be changed later?
Yes, through the service’s own amendment process. Changing it informally — by marking up the document, for instance — does not alter what is registered.
Do a married couple need two wills?
Generally yes: a will is a personal instrument. Mirror wills are commonly used so that two individual wills operate consistently, and they are registered as separate documents.
What happens when the will is relied on?
The estate is administered through the applicable probate process, which is separate from registration. A registered will is intended to make that process straightforward; it does not remove it.
Need Support With Your Document?
Our firm provides legal drafting, document review, transaction support and assistance with notary-related procedures across the UAE. The practice is led by Emirati Senior Lawyer Abdulhamid Al Balooshi, who has more than two decades of legal practice. Based in Dubai, we assist individuals, companies, investors and overseas clients with matters involving notarial procedures and related legal requirements across the Emirates.
Website: https://uaenotarypublic.com/ Email: notary@uaenotarypublic.com Office: 14th Floor, Aspin Commercial Tower, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, UAE
Corporate clients with recurring requirements may ask about long-term service arrangements and corporate rates for the professional legal-support component. Official authority fees remain governed by the competent authority.
Legal References
This article has been prepared with reference to the current UAE legal and official-service framework relevant to the subject, including Federal Decree-Law No. 20 of 2022 Regulating the Notary Profession, Cabinet Resolution No. 16 of 2024 concerning the Executive Regulations, and Cabinet Resolution No. 19 of 2024 concerning applicable notarial fees where relevant. For Dubai procedures, current Dubai Courts service requirements should be checked before filing. For document attestation, the current UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs requirements should be checked. DIFC Wills matters should be verified against the current DIFC Courts Wills Service rules and fee schedule.
Legal and procedural requirements can change, and the competent authority may request additional documents depending on the facts of the transaction.
Legal Disclaimer
This article provides general legal information and is not legal advice or a guarantee that a document will be accepted, notarised, attested, registered or enforced. Requirements can differ by document, parties, transaction, Emirate, free zone, competent authority and receiving authority. Official fees, digital eligibility and procedures may change. Where the UAE Legislation portal states that the Arabic text prevails, the Arabic text is authoritative in the event of conflict. Verify current requirements and obtain advice on the facts before signing or relying on a document. Legal/source review date: 20 August 2026.