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Guide: Wills and Estates ยท 6 minute read
How to Write a Will in the UAE: A Plain Step by Step Guide
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If you want to know how to write a will in UAE terms, start with the document, not the registry: list what you own, say who gets it and name who carries it out. We draft the will and check every clause, and our in-house notary public notarises it in person at our Battuta Gate office, online or on a home visit. Registration comes last.
At a Glance
Work in this order: assets, heirs, executor and guardian, signing, registration.
A will is drafted in Arabic or comes with a certified Arabic translation signed with it.
The notary checks the identity, capacity and consent of the person signing and applies the seal.
The will is registered with the registry you choose, and the appointment is set with that registry.
We prepare documents. We do not represent anyone in court.
WhatsApp +971 52 484 1790 and tell us what the will is for and who will sign it.
Step by step
How to Write a Will in the UAE, Step by Step
01
List your assets
Write down property, bank accounts, vehicles, shares and any business interest in the UAE or abroad.
02
Name your heirs
Say who receives what, using full names as shown on their passports.
03
Name an executor and, if you have children, a guardian
04
Choose the registry
Decide where the will will be registered before you draft, because each registry has its own rules.
05
Draft the will
We draft it, check every clause and prepare the Arabic text through a legal translator.
06
Sign before the notary
You sign in person at our office, online or on a home visit.
07
Register it
The registry you chose sets the appointment and holds the will.
How to Write a Will in UAE: Listing Your Assets and Naming Heirs
Start with a plain list. Note which items are in your name alone and which are joint. A will can only deal with what you own, so a jointly held account may pass in a different way.
When you name heirs, use the exact legal name, relationship and a contact detail. A will that says "my brother" without a name is open to dispute. If you hold assets in more than one country, say so, because another country may have its own rules for those assets. We do not give share figures here. The registry and your own situation decide which rules apply, and a practising advocate can advise on that.
Naming an Executor and a Guardian
The executor carries out the will. Choose someone who lives in the UAE, can handle paperwork and is willing to act. Name a second person in case the first cannot.
If you have minor children, name a guardian as well. Our page on the guardianship will explains what to name and who signs.
Signing, Witnesses and the Notary
The notary checks the identity, capacity and consent of the person signing and applies the seal. Notarial acts in the UAE are regulated by Federal Decree-Law No. 20 of 2022.
In Dubai, a notarised instrument is in Arabic or comes with a certified Arabic translation signed with it, under Dubai Law No. 4 of 2013, Article 27. Translations for official use are done by a legal translator registered with the UAE Ministry of Justice.
Ask us whether your will can be done online. We tell you before you commit. Our page on notarized document requirements lists what the notary checks.
Registering the Will
Registration is a separate step. You choose the registry, and the appointment is set with that registry. We never register the will ourselves.
Common choices are Dubai Courts, the DIFC Courts and the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department. Each has its own page on this site:
- Dubai Courts will
- DIFC will, for DIFC matters. The DIFC Courts notary service runs its own process.
- Abu Dhabi Judicial Department will
Our guide to how to register a will in the UAE helps you choose. Registry fees are charged by the registry and are separate from ours.
Checklist
What to Bring
Your passport and Emirates ID
Your list of assets, with property details where you have them
The names and ID details of your heirs, executor and guardian
Any earlier will you want replaced
Watch for
Mistakes That Get a Will Refused or Disputed
01
Heirs described without full names
02
Assets left out, or described in a way that does not match the records
03
No executor named, or an executor who cannot act
04
No Arabic text or certified Arabic translation
05
Signing before the registry has been chosen
06
Disputes: if a family dispute or court case is likely, you need a practising advocate. Representation before the courts is reserved to lawyers licensed in the UAE and on the Ministry of Justice roll, under Federal Decree-Law No. 34 of 2022, Article 6.
How We Prepare It
We draft the will, check every clause, prepare the Arabic text through a legal translator, and our in-house notary public notarises it. You sign before our in-house notary public, in person at our office, online or on a home visit. For the full service, see our will writing service in Dubai.
Prices
Fees
| Item | Our service price | Government fee, paid on top at cost |
|---|---|---|
| Will, drafted and notarised | from AED 4,000 | Registry fee, charged separately by the registry |
| Legal translation | from AED 50 per page | None |
| Home visit | Quote on request | None |
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.
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 do I make a will in the UAE?
List your assets, name your heirs, executor and guardian, then have the will drafted and signed before a notary. Register it with the registry you choose. We help with the drafting and the notary step.
How to make a will in Dubai?
Follow the same steps and choose a registry such as Dubai Courts. The will must be in Arabic or come with a certified Arabic translation. Read our guide to Dubai Courts wills.
Can I write a will in the UAE online?
You can start online by sending us your details. Whether the signing can be done online depends on the document, and we tell you before you commit. The UAE Ministry of Justice runs the E-Notary System for remote notarisation.
How do I register a will in Dubai?
You register it with the registry you choose, and the appointment is set with that registry. We do not register it for you. See how to register a will in the UAE.
How much does it cost to write a will in the UAE?
Our will service starts from AED 4,000, and the registry fee is separate. We confirm your final price before you pay.
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Ask Us How to Write a Will in UAE Terms
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. Office open Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 6:00 pm. WhatsApp and online requests answered 24/7. Our office is on the 10th floor, Battuta Gate offices, Dubai, UAE.
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