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Guide: Wills and Estates ยท 5 minute read
Notary vs Lawyer for Wills in the UAE: Who Drafts, Notarises and Registers
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Notary vs lawyer for wills is not a choice between two people for one job. A will has three jobs: someone drafts it, a notary checks and seals the signing, and a registry records it. 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.
At a Glance
Drafting, notarising and registering are three separate steps.
We draft the will and our in-house notary public notarises it.
The notary checks the identity, capacity and consent of the person signing and applies the seal.
You choose the registry, and the appointment is set with that registry.
A dispute or a court case needs a practising advocate. We prepare documents; we do not represent people in court.
WhatsApp +971 52 484 1790 and tell us what you want your will to cover.
Notary vs Lawyer for Wills: Two Different Jobs
A lawyer or a drafter writes the will. A notary does not decide what your will says. The notary confirms who is signing, that the signer understands the document and signs freely, and then applies the seal.
That is why people searching "lawyer or notary for will" get mixed answers. Both can be involved, but they do different things. In Dubai, a private notary is a lawyer licensed by Dubai Courts to carry out notarial acts, which is a role description and not a claim about any business. Notarial acts in the UAE are regulated by Federal Decree-Law No. 20 of 2022. For the wider difference, read is a lawyer a notary public.
Who Can Draft a Will in the UAE
You can bring your own draft, or we draft it for you. Either way, the wording must say clearly who receives what, who looks after any children, and who carries out the will. Vague wording is a common reason a will is sent back.
In Dubai, a notarised instrument is in Arabic, or comes with a certified Arabic translation signed with it, under Article 27 of Dubai Law No. 4 of 2013. We prepare the Arabic text through a legal translator, and translations for official use are done by a legal translator registered with the UAE Ministry of Justice.
See our page on will writing services in Dubai for how we prepare the document.
What the Notary Does When a Will Is Signed
The notary checks your ID, checks that you have capacity and consent, watches you sign and applies the seal. You sign before our in-house notary public, in person at our office, online or on a home visit.
Steps:
01
You send us your draft or your wishes.
02
We draft the will, check every clause and prepare the Arabic text.
03
You sign before our in-house notary public.
04
You register the will with the registry you choose.
What to bring
- Your passport or Emirates ID
- A list of your assets and who should receive them
- The names and details of the people you want to name
- Any earlier will
Where a Will Is Registered: Dubai Courts, DIFC or Abu Dhabi
The will is registered with the registry you choose, and the appointment is set with that registry. Our notary does not register it. Each registry has its own rules, so check which one fits your assets and your situation.
- Dubai Courts: see our guide to a Dubai Courts will.
- DIFC: see DIFC will. The DIFC Courts run their own notary service for DIFC matters.
- Abu Dhabi: see Abu Dhabi Judicial Department will.
Our page on how to register a will in the UAE explains the choice in more detail.
When You Need a Practising Advocate Instead
On notary vs lawyer for wills, some matters need a practising advocate, not a document drafter. Representation before the courts is reserved to lawyers licensed in the UAE and on the Ministry of Justice roll of practising lawyers, under Article 6 of Federal Decree-Law No. 34 of 2022.
You need an advocate if the will is challenged, if heirs disagree, or if the estate goes to court. We prepare the documents; we do not represent people in court. If typing is all you need, we will tell you so.
Watch for
Mistakes That Get a Will Refused
01
Signing before the wording is final.
02
Naming assets without enough detail to identify them.
03
No Arabic text or certified Arabic translation for a notarised instrument.
04
Assuming one registry fits every asset.
05
Expecting the notary to give legal advice on what to write.
Prices
Fees
| Service | Our service price | Government fee, paid on top at cost |
|---|---|---|
| Will | from AED 4,000 | Registry fee is separate |
| Legal translation | from AED 50 per page | None |
| Drafting or typing add-on | from AED 200 | None |
Home visits: quote on request.
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.
Do I need a lawyer or a notary for my will?
You need both jobs done, though not always by different people. Someone drafts the will, and a notary checks the signing and seals it. We draft and our in-house notary public notarises. If a dispute is possible, speak to a practising advocate too.
Does a notary make a will legal?
A notary does not decide what your will says. The notary checks your identity, capacity and consent and applies the seal. The will must also meet the rules of the registry you choose.
Is a notary will valid?
A notarised will is a will that has been signed before a notary. Whether it is accepted for your estate depends on the wording and on the registry. Ask us before you sign and we will tell you what it needs.
Does a will need to be witnessed and notarized?
It needs the formalities of the registry you choose, and those differ. Tell us where you plan to register and we will tell you who must attend. See Dubai Courts will and the other registry guides above.
Where can I get a will notarized?
You can sign before our in-house notary public at our office on the 10th floor of the Battuta Gate offices in Dubai, online or on a home visit. We confirm which of these works for your document when you contact us.
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Start Your Will
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. Message us on WhatsApp.
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