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Guide: Wills and Estates ยท 5 minute read
Will for Non Muslims in the UAE: What to Prepare
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A will for non muslims in the UAE is a written document that says who receives your assets, who looks after your children and who carries out your wishes. We draft the will, check every clause and prepare the Arabic text through a legal translator. Our in-house notary public then notarises it in person at our Battuta Gate office, online or on a home visit.
At a Glance
We draft the will, check every clause and prepare the Arabic text.
Our in-house notary public notarises it.
The will is registered with the registry you choose. The appointment is set with that registry.
The will fee starts from AED 4,000. The registry fee is separate.
We prepare documents. We do not represent people in court.
WhatsApp +971 52 484 1790 and tell us what the will is for.
The notary checks the identity, capacity and consent of the people signing and applies the seal. The paper itself must be right before anyone signs it. That is where we start.
Checklist
Will for Non Muslims: Requirements Before You Draft
Decide these points first. They are the content of the will.
Who receives what
Name each person and say what they receive.
Who looks after your children, if you have children under 18.
Who carries out the will
Choose a person you trust and ask them first.
Where your assets are
Say whether they are in the UAE, abroad or both.
Which registry you will use
The choice affects the draft.
We do not give legal advice or tell you how to divide your assets. We write down what you decide, clearly, so the registry and the people who read it later understand it.
If a dispute is already running, or a family member may challenge the will, 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 Article 6 of Federal Decree-Law No. 34 of 2022. We prepare the documents.
Checklist
Will for Non Muslims: Documents Required
Bring the following for the person making the will:
Passport, and Emirates ID if you live in the UAE.
A list of your assets and where they are held.
Full names and passport details of each beneficiary.
The name and contact details of the person who will carry out the will.
Names and dates of birth of any children, and your choice of guardian.
Any earlier will, in any country.
Will for Non Muslims: Procedure
01
Send your details
Tell us what the will is for and who will sign it. We reply with what it needs and a starting price.
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Choose the registry
Dubai Courts, the DIFC Courts and the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department each have their own will service. See our pages on a Dubai Courts will, a DIFC will and an Abu Dhabi Judicial Department will.
03
We draft and check
We write the will and check every clause with you.
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Arabic text
A legal translator registered with the UAE Ministry of Justice prepares the Arabic. 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).
05
You sign before our in-house notary public
At our office, online or on a home visit. The notary checks your ID and applies the seal.
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Registration
The will is registered with the registry you chose. The appointment is set with that registry. Our notary does not register it.
Notarial acts in the UAE are regulated by Federal Decree-Law No. 20 of 2022. See also our guide on how to register a will in the UAE.
Watch for
Mistakes That Get a Will Refused or Delayed
01
Names that differ between the will and the passport.
02
A beneficiary described only as "my family" with no names.
03
No person named to carry out the will.
04
Arabic text that does not match the English.
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Signing before the appointment.
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A foreign document included without its attestation chain. The UAE is not a party to the Hague Apostille Convention, so foreign documents are attested in the issuing country, then by MOFAIC in the UAE.
Prices
Will for Non Muslims: Fees
| Service | Our service price | Government fee, paid on top at cost |
|---|---|---|
| Will | from AED 4,000 | Registry fee, separate |
| Legal translation | from AED 50 per page | Not applicable |
| Drafting or typing add-on | from AED 200 | Not applicable |
| Urgent handling | from AED 250 | Not applicable |
| Courier pickup and delivery | from AED 80 | Not applicable |
Home visits are quoted 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.
For other costs, see how much it costs to get a legal document notarized in Dubai.
How We Prepare It
We start from the document. We draft the will, check every clause, prepare the Arabic text through a legal translator, and our in-house notary public notarises it. If typing is all you need, we will tell you so. Our page on will writing for expats explains the service in more detail.
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 a will for non muslims cost?
Our will service starts from AED 4,000. The registry fee is separate. Legal translation starts from AED 50 per page. We confirm your final price before you pay.
How long does a will for non muslims take?
It depends on how ready your decisions are and on the registry appointment. Send your details and we tell you what the will needs.
What documents are required for a will for non muslims?
You need your passport, a list of your assets, the names of your beneficiaries and the person who will carry out the will, and details of any children and guardian.
Can a will for non muslims be done online?
Part of it can. Our in-house notary public can witness your signature online, in person at our office or on a home visit. The registry sets its own rules for registration, and we explain these when you send your details.
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Send Us Your Details
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. Our office is on the 10th floor, Battuta Gate offices, Dubai. Office open Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 6:00 pm. WhatsApp and online requests answered 24/7. You can also message us on WhatsApp.
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