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Guide: Wills and Estates ยท 4 minute read
Abu Dhabi Judicial Department Will: Steps, Documents and Fees
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An Abu Dhabi Judicial Department will is a will that you register with the department's will registry, so your wishes are on record if you pass away. We draft the will, check every clause and prepare the Arabic text through a legal translator, and our in-house notary public notarises it in person at our Battuta Gate office, online or on a home visit.
WhatsApp +971 52 484 1790 and tell us what you own and who should receive it.
Abu Dhabi Judicial Department Will Procedure
The Abu Dhabi Judicial Department (ADJD) runs its own registry for wills. According to the ADJD frequently asked questions, the procedure follows these steps:
01
You, or your legal representative, submit the application on the ADJD website with a copy of your will.
02
ADJD reviews the application.
03
When it is approved, ADJD sets an appointment for you to attend online before the notary.
04
The notarised will is registered in the will registry.
The will is registered with the registry you choose, and the appointment is set with that registry. We do not register it. Our part is the document: a will that is clear, complete and ready to submit.
Checklist
Abu Dhabi Judicial Department Will Requirements
ADJD says that a person who is not a UAE citizen may register a will with the Abu Dhabi civil wills office. The department's Civil Family Court page explains the application and the will copy it asks for.
Before you apply, settle these points:
Which assets the will covers, in Abu Dhabi and elsewhere in the UAE.
Who receives each asset.
Who carries out the will after your death.
Whether you hold assets in Dubai, because a Dubai asset may call for a different registry. See our page on how to register a will in the UAE.
Checklist
Abu Dhabi Judicial Department Will Documents Required
The will itself is the main document. ADJD does not list a single checklist on the pages we checked, so we tell you what the registry asks for when you send us your details. Have these ready:
Your passport or Emirates ID.
A list of your assets and the people who should receive them.
Papers for property or company shares you want the will to name.
Any earlier will you want replaced.
A will for registration has to be in a form the registry accepts. In Dubai, a notarised instrument is in Arabic or comes with a certified Arabic translation signed with it (Dubai Law No. 4 of 2013, Article 27). For an Abu Dhabi will, we confirm the language the registry wants before we finalise your draft.
Abu Dhabi Judicial Department Will Fees
Our fee to draft a will is from AED 4,000. The registry fee is separate and is set by ADJD. ADJD says it notifies you of the fee before you complete the procedure, so we do not quote a registry figure. Ask us for the current amount before you apply.
Translation is separate: legal translation is from AED 50 per page.
All service prices are starting prices and are negotiable. Government fees are paid on top, at cost, exactly as the authority charges them. We confirm your final price before you pay.
Abu Dhabi Judicial Department Will Processing Time
ADJD does not give us a time we can pass on, so we do not promise one. Timing depends on the review and on the appointment ADJD sets. Ask us when you are ready and we tell you what to expect.
What We Do and What We Do Not Do
We prepare documents. We do not represent people in court. If your family expects a dispute over the estate, you need a practising advocate, and we prepare the documents the advocate asks for.
Our in-house notary public checks the identity, capacity and consent of the person signing and applies the seal. Our page on will writing service in Dubai for expats explains how we draft. If your assets are in the DIFC, read DIFC will first.
Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
If your question is not here, ask it on WhatsApp. Tell us what the document is for and who will sign it.
How much does an abu dhabi judicial department will cost?
Our drafting fee is from AED 4,000, and the registry fee is separate. ADJD notifies you of its fee before you finish the procedure. We confirm your final price before you pay.
How long does an abu dhabi judicial department will take?
It depends on ADJD's review and on the appointment it sets, so we do not promise a time. Contact us and we tell you what we know for your case.
What documents are required for an abu dhabi judicial department will?
You need the will and your identity documents, plus papers for any property or company shares it names. We confirm the full list with you before you apply.
Can an abu dhabi judicial department will be done online?
ADJD sets an online appointment with the notary once your application is approved. The application itself is made on the ADJD website.
Do I need a lawyer to register a will?
You do not need one to register it, but you do need a clear document. We draft it. If a dispute is likely, ask a practising advocate.
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Get Your Will Ready
Call or WhatsApp +971 52 484 1790, or email support@notariolawyersuae.com. Tell us what the document is for and who will sign it, and we will reply with what it needs and a starting price.
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