A Will is a legal document that generally records how you want your assets distributed after your death, who should act as guardian of your minor children, and who you appoint to administer your estate. Depending on the type of will, it may also address other matters, such as end-of-life wishes, funeral arrangements, and provisions for incapacity.
It is not a financial plan. It is not a trust. It does not take effect during your lifetime. It is a set of instructions that a court or registration authority will consider, and in most cases follow, when the time comes.
Probate is the legal process through which a court confirms the validity of a will and authorises its execution. In the UAE, probate proceedings are conducted through the relevant court or registration system, depending on how and where the will was registered.
A will does not prevent all disputes. It does not override every legal restriction. But a properly drafted and registered will significantly reduces uncertainty, delay, and cost for those you leave behind.
Wills in the UAE: The Landscape
The UAE offers several routes for preparing and registering a will. Each route has its own eligibility rule. The right route depends on your circumstances.
The principal options available to residents in the UAE are as follows.
Eligibility: Non-Muslims, and non-UAE-national Muslims who meet at least one of the following three criteria:
(a) the legal system of the country of their nationality does not apply Sharia law;
(b) they married under a civil system; or
(c) they married under the legal system of a country that does not apply Sharia law.
Eligibility: Non-Muslims, 21 years or older, with a UAE connection (e.g.: assets and/or children).
Eligibility: Muslims only.
Eligibility: Non-Muslims, 21 years or older, with a UAE connection (e.g.: assets and/or children).
There is no single correct route. The appropriate choice depends on where you live, where your assets are held, your personal and religious circumstances, and in some cases, the preferences of your family. The information on this page is designed to help you understand which route may be suitable before you commit.
When a Will May Be Appropriate
A will is advisable in many situations, but it is not universally required. Whether you need one depends on your circumstances.
A will is particularly important if:
- You have minor children and wish to appoint a guardian and custodian of your choosing, including a temporary custodian pending formalisation of permanent arrangements.
- You own real property in the UAE.
- You wish to record end-of-life wishes, incapacity treatment preferences, or funeral arrangements.
- You want to appoint a specific person or persons to administer your estate.
- You wish to make specific bequests, whether financially valuable or personal in nature (for example, requesting your trustee to give a family member or friend a particular item as a keepsake, or to give a portion of your estate to charity).
- You are part of a couple and want to ensure your spouse is provided for.
- You are in a marriage where one spouse is Muslim and the other is not, because under UAE law the default position is that persons of different religions do not inherit from each other on intestacy.
- You hold multiple nationalities, or your nationality differs from that of your spouse.
- You are in an inter-faith marriage between members of different religions more broadly, because there may be religious or other laws that could limit or restrict inheritance.
In any of these situations, and in others involving a cross-border or multi-legal element, one of the risks that can arise is that heirs may seek to apply the law of a particular nationality, or a particular religious law, over another if doing so gives them an advantage in the distribution of the estate. A will with clearly expressed wishes and a defined applicable law is one of the most effective ways to reduce that risk.
A will may not be the only solution needed if:
Your circumstances involve layers of complexity that a standalone will cannot fully address, such as business succession, multi-jurisdictional assets, or trust structures. In these cases, a will is likely to form part of a broader estate plan, but additional instruments or coordinated legal advice across jurisdictions may also be required. We address these situations through a Platinum scoping call.
We do not take the position that everyone must have a will. We take the position that everyone should understand whether they need one, and if so, what kind. That is what this page is here to do.
What We Have Seen in Practice
We have been advising clients on wills and succession matters in the UAE for many years. In that time, we have seen what works and what does not. The following observations are drawn from real experience.
Wills that could not be enforced
A registered will is not the same as an enforceable will. We have encountered wills that were technically registered but contained provisions a court could not or would not enforce.
Disputes arising from poor drafting
Ambiguous language is the most common source of will disputes. Where a will fails to clearly identify beneficiaries or address common contingencies, it creates room for disagreement.
Guardianship provisions that were ignored or challenged
Appointing a guardian in a will is important, but it is not a guarantee. Courts retain discretion, and we have seen provisions challenged because the named guardian was not suitable in the eyes of the law.
Frozen assets and delayed estates
Without a registered will, releasing frozen bank accounts can take months. A properly registered will with a clearly appointed executor substantially reduces this delay.
Template wills that missed the point
Standard templates do not account for blended families, business interests, or multi-jurisdictional assets. A will that does not reflect your circumstances may fail when it matters.
These are not hypothetical risks. They are outcomes we have worked to resolve for real clients. Our approach to drafting is shaped by what we have seen go wrong, not by what looks acceptable on paper.
Our BENEFITS
A clear gap exists in the UAE wills market. Between costly bespoke advice and low-cost, low-rigour platforms. We bridge it with a structured, lawyer-led process that delivers properly drafted wills at proportionate, accessible pricing.
Lawyer-led, not software-led.
Every will is reviewed and approved by a qualified lawyer. The process supports, but never replaces, professional judgment.
Built from enforcement experience
Our drafting reflects what we’ve seen challenged in court—where ambiguity arises and where safeguards fail.
Transparent and proportionate
Fixed fees for standard matters. No hidden costs or unnecessary upgrades. If your case is complex, we’ll tell you upfront.
More than just a document
Clients on the Gold, Couples, and Platinum packages receive practical guidance covering the registration process and the post-registration steps we recommend every testator takes.
How It Works
A clear, step-by-step process, from initial assessment to drafting and registration.
Handled by qualified lawyers with efficiency and precision.
Pricing and Packages
Launch pricing, available for a limited time.
Silver
Lawyer-drafted will. You handle registration.
- UAE assets distribution
- Foreign assets coverage (if applicable)
- Executor appointment
- Guardian appointment (for minor children)
- Specific bequests (optional)
- Charitable gifts (optional)
- Funeral arrangements (optional)
- Contingency drafting
- English / Arabic translation
- Lawyer review and sign-off
Gold
Our most popular individual package.
- Everything in Silver, plus:
- Incapacity treatment preferences (optional)
- End-of-life wishes (optional)
- Registration coordination: we handle the appointment and filing
- Post-registration guidance
Couples
One engagement, mirror wills for two.
- Everything in Gold, for each spouse or partner
- Mirror-drafted wills coordinated as a pair
- Single engagement, single fee, single process
Platinum
Tailored wills for complex circumstances.
- Everything in Gold
- Tailored drafting for complex circumstances
- Multi-jurisdictional, trust/nominee, business succession, blended-family, sensitive dynamics
- Scoping call with a lawyer before engagement
- Required for DIFC registration
What People have said about us
I had an excellent experience working with the team on my will. They were professional, warm, and genuinely attentive, taking the time to explain everything clearly and making sure no detail was missed. They also really understood the added complexities of being an expat dealing with multiple jurisdictions, which gave me a lot of confidence. Everyone I dealt with was accommodating and easy to work with, making the whole process feel simple and stress-free. I’m delighted to see them launching their new online wills service and would happily recommend the team to anyone looking for reliable, thoughtful legal support.
I had the pleasure of working with Salloum & Partners LLC for the preparation of my will, and I can confidently say that the experience exceeded all expectations. From the very beginning, their team demonstrated exceptional professionalism, attention to detail, and a genuine commitment to understanding my specific needs. Every step of the process was handled with clarity, precision, and a high level of care, which made what can often be a complex and sensitive matter feel straightforward and well-managed. What truly stood out was their ability to combine deep legal expertise with practical, tailored advice. As a firm with decades of experience in the UAE legal landscape and a reputation for delivering comprehensive solutions to complex matters, they bring both confidence and reassurance to their clients. The entire process was seamless, efficient, and conducted with the highest standards of professionalism. I felt fully supported and confident that everything was handled correctly and in my best interest. We now consider Salloum & Partners not just as legal advisors, but as our trusted law firm. I would highly recommend them to anyone seeking reliable, knowledgeable, and truly client-focused legal services.
Frequently Asked Questions
01
What is the difference between Silver, Gold, Couples, and Platinum?
02
Can I register my will myself after you draft it?
03
Which authority should I register with?
04
Are the launch prices permanent?
05
What if my situation does not fit a standard package?
06
Can I appoint a guardian for my children through my will?
07
How long does the process take?
08
Do I need a will if I already have one in my home country?
09
What documents will I need to provide?
10
Can a UAE will cover assets held outside the UAE?
11
What if my situation changes after registration?
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Is this service suitable for Muslim clients?
The Notary Public route operates within Islamic succession law and permits you to direct up to one-third of your net estate.
The ADJD route is available to Muslim foreign residents who meet specific criteria relating to nationality, country of marriage, or form of marriage. It permits distribution of the entire estate without the one-third limitation.
Where eligibility is unclear, we confirm the correct route with you before drafting begins.
13
What if my spouse and I are of different religions or nationalities?
For inter-faith couples more broadly, there may be religious or other laws that could limit inheritance in the absence of clear testamentary instructions. Similarly, where spouses hold different nationalities or one spouse holds multiple nationalities, a will with clearly expressed wishes and a defined applicable law helps prevent disputes in which heirs seek to apply whichever legal framework gives them the greatest advantage. These factors are addressed in your initial scoping discussion with our team.