Step 1: Choose your will type and appoint a draftsman:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nWork with a legal practitioner registered with the DIFC Wills Service Centre. The DIFC publishes an official list of approved draftsmen. You cannot use an unregistered lawyer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Step 2: Draft and review:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nYour draftsman prepares the will to DIFC drafting standards. You review, approve, and sign off on the document.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Step 3:Book your appointment and upload the will<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nThe will is uploaded to the DIFC portal, and an appointment is scheduled, either in person at the DIFC Courts building or via the Virtual Registry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Step 4: Sign with two witnesses:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nThe registration process requires two witnesses to sign the will simultaneously. These witnesses can join the same video conference from different locations and insert electronic signatures through their mobile devices on a link provided directly by the DIFC. The witnesses should not be beneficiaries or guardians mentioned in the will, or spouses of beneficiaries or guardians.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Once signed, your registered will is electronically stored, and a certified copy is issued to you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
DIFC vs ADJD Wills: Which Should International Investors Choose?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nThe main differences are cost and enforcement. A DIFC will cost AED 10,000 to register and has direct enforcement in Dubai. An ADJD will cost AED 950 to register and is valid across all seven UAE emirates under federal law.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For international investors with Dubai property only<\/strong>, the DIFC route is the stronger choice, particularly following the 2025 law update. For investors with assets spread across multiple emirates, ADJD may offer a broader reach at significantly lower registration costs. Consult a specialist to confirm the right route for your specific portfolio.<\/p>\n\n\n\nCosts and Fees at a Glance<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nA DIFC Full Will costs AED 10,000 in registration fees (AED 15,000 for mirror wills), plus AED 3,000 to 10,000 in legal drafting fees. Total cost is typically AED 13,000 to 21,000 or more. All fees are subject to 5% VAT.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The registration fee for an amendment to an existing DIFC Will is AED 550 plus VAT.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For probate after the testator’s death, the executor files an application for a Grant of Probate at the Registry. Upon receipt of the application and paperwork, the Registry assigns a Case Progression Officer who serves as the executor’s point of contact throughout the probate proceedings. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Bottom Line for Dubai Property Investors<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nRegistering a DIFC Will<\/strong> is not a legal formality; it is one of the most impactful financial decisions you can make as an international investor in Dubai. It protects your property, your portfolio, and your family from a legal default that applies the moment you pass away without one.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe cost is a fraction of the value of a single Dubai property. The risk of not acting is potentially losing control of your entire estate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At Lex Estates<\/strong>, we specialise in helping international investors buy and sell property in Dubai<\/strong>. And because we know that protecting your investment goes beyond the transaction, we connect our clients with trusted legal professionals who can guide them through the DIFC Wills and Probate Registry<\/strong> process. Ready to invest in Dubai with confidence? Speak to our team today.<\/p>\n\n\n\nFrequently Asked Questions<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Do I need to be in Dubai to register?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n
No. The DIFC Courts now offer a Virtual Registry that allows you to register your will remotely via video conference.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
Can a married couple share one will?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n
No. DIFC uses individual wills. Couples often register two single wills, also known as mirror wills, usually signed at the same appointment.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
Can I update my will after registration?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n
Yes. You can update or revoke your DIFC Will at any time. To update, you can create an amendment or a new will. To revoke, you withdraw your will and notify the DIFC Wills Registry.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
Does a DIFC Will cover assets outside the UAE?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n
DIFC Wills now automatically cover all movable and immovable assets throughout the UAE. DIFC Wills may also cover movable and immovable assets situated in other countries around the world, subject to legal advice.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
What if I am Muslim?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n
The DIFC Wills Registry is open exclusively to non-Muslims. Muslim investors should seek separate legal guidance on UAE estate planning.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
Can I appoint my own executor?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n
Yes. You can appoint one or more executors, including family members, a legal professional, or a combination of both.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
If you own property in Dubai as a non-Muslim investor, one legal question has the power to dictate every financial decision you’ve ever made: what happens to your UAE assets when you die? Without a registered will, UAE courts apply Sharia inheritance law by default, regardless of your nationality, your family’s wishes, or the value […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":32065,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[291],"tags":[301,299,300],"class_list":["post-32064","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-inheritance-wills-for-property-owners","tag-difc-wills","tag-difc-wills-service-centre","tag-wills-service"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lexestates.ae\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/32064","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lexestates.ae\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lexestates.ae\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lexestates.ae\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lexestates.ae\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=32064"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/lexestates.ae\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/32064\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":32067,"href":"https:\/\/lexestates.ae\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/32064\/revisions\/32067"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lexestates.ae\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/32065"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lexestates.ae\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=32064"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lexestates.ae\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=32064"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lexestates.ae\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=32064"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
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