Quick summary

• Will registration in Dubai ensures your assets are distributed as per your wishes.
• Costs vary based on nationality, type of will, and registration centre.
• DIFC Wills for non-Muslims start from AED 5,000.
• Abu Dhabi Civil Court offers lower-cost options, starting from AED 950.
• Additional costs may include translation and legal drafting.

How much does it cost to register a will in Dubai?

Making a will in Dubai is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your loved ones and assets. But how much does it cost? Whether you’re a UAE resident or an expat, understanding the expenses and process of registering a will can help you make an informed decision.

In this blog, we’ll break down the costs, types of wills, legal procedures, and everything else you need to know — in a simple, easy-to-understand format.

Why should you register a will in Dubai or Abu Dhabi?

Having a registered will ensures that:

• Your estate is distributed according to your wishes.
• The guardianship of children is clearly outlined.
• Your family avoids delays, disputes, or Sharia-based distribution (in the absence of a will).
• You can protect property, bank accounts, shares, and personal items legally from being subject to the Sharia inheritance rules.

Especially for non-Muslim expatriates, registering a will can avoid default inheritance laws, which may not align with their intentions.

Types of wills in Dubai and Abu Dhabi

There are two primary authorities for will registration in Dubai:

1. DIFC Wills (for non-muslims)

The DIFC Wills Service Centre allows non-Muslims to register wills that DIFC Law, not Sharia, governs.

Types of DIFC wills:

• Full Will (covers all assets & guardianship).
• Property Will.
• Business Owners Will.
• Guardianship Will.
• Financial Assets Will.
• Digital Assets Will.

2. Abu Dhabi civil courts wills (for muslims and non-muslims)

Abu Dhabi Civil Courts also register wills, and the process is less expensive than DIFC. This system can accommodate both Muslims and non-Muslims.

Cost of registering a will in Dubai and Abu Dhabi

Here’s a complete breakdown of will registration costs at DIFC Wills Service and Dubai Courts:

Authority	Type of Will	Approximate Cost (AED)	Notes
DIFC Wills Centre	Full Single Will	AED 10,000	Covers one person
DIFC Wills Centre	Full Mirror Wills (Couples)	AED 15,000	Covers both spouses
DIFC Wills Centre	Property Will forone person Property Will for spouses	AED 7,500 AED 10,000	Up to five realestate properties
DIFC Wills Centre	Guardianship Will for one person Guardianship Willfor spouses	AED 5,000 AED 7,500	Limited toguardianship provisions
DIFC Wills Centre	Business OwnersWill for one person Business OwnersWill for spouses	AED 5,000 AED 7,500	up to five shareholdings withinthe UAE
DIFC Wills Centre	Financial AssetsWill for one person Financial AssetsWill for spouses	AED 5,000 AED 7,500	Up to ten bank and/orbrokerage accounts registeredin the UAE
Dubai Courts	Single Will	AED 950	Bilingualwith legal stamp (English andArabic)
Abu Dhabi Courts	Full Will	AED 1,900	Bilingual with legal stamp(English and Arabic)

Note: Costs vary depending on legal support, translation, and whether you’re drafting the will independently or using legal experts.

Step-by-step process to register a will in Dubai

Here’s how you can get your will registered in both systems:

DIFC wills service

1. Consult a registered will draftsman or lawyer.
2. Prepare your will (based on your assets and dependents).
3. Submit for review and approval.
4. Pay the registration fee.
5. Book an appointment via the DIFC Wills portal.
6. Virtual registration.
7. Receive a certified will.

Abu Dhabi civil family court

1. Draft your will ( legally translated to Arabic).
2. Submit on portal for review and approval.
3. Pay the registration fee.
4. Book an appointment online.
5. Virtual registration.
6. Pay notarization fee.
7. Recieve a certified will.

Required documents

Here’s a quick look at the documents you’ll need:

Document	Description
Passport Copy	Of the testator (person making the will)
Marriage certificate (if applicable)	For Mirror Wills
Children’s birth certificate	For Guardianship Wills
Draft Will (in English or English and Arabic for Abu Dhabi Wills)	Prepared by your legal advisor

Legal drafting vs. personal drafting of wills – What’s best?

While it’s possible to draft your own will, professional services offer peace of mind. Here’s why:

Benefits of assigning legal experts:

• Ensure compliance with UAE law.
• Avoid loopholes or ambiguity.
• Get help with registration and translation.
• Choose the correct will type (especially in DIFC).
• Reduced risk of rejection during probate.

Tip: Many legal firms offer packages that include will drafting + registration + consultation for a fixed fee.

Estimated total cost breakdown (example)

Let’s say a non-Muslim expat wants to register a DIFC full will:

Item	Cost (AED)
Will Drafting by Lawyer	AED 6,500 for single wills and AED 8,500 formirror wills (VAT exclusive)
DIFC Will Registration	AED 10,000 for single full wills and AED 15,000 for mirror full wills
Appointment Booking	Free
Total Estimated Cost	AED 16,500 – AED 23,500

For Abu Dhabi civil family court registration:

Item	Cost (AED)
Will Drafting	AED 6,500 for single wills and AED 8,500 for mirror wills (VAT exclusive)
Translation	Approximately AED 500
Registration	AED 950 for single full wills and AED 1900 for mirror full wills
Total Estimated Cost	AED 7,950 – AED 11,000

Comparison: DIFC vs. Abu Dhabi Civil family courts

Feature	DIFC Wills	Dubai Courts Wills
Language	English	English and Arabic translation with legal stamp
For Non-Muslims	Yes	Yes
For Muslims	No	Yes
Legal Framework	DIFC Law	Abu Dhabi Law No. 14/2021 on the Civil Marriage
Cost	Higher	Lower
Flexibility	High	Moderate

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Contact Kanoony – start your will today

Protect your family, secure your assets, and avoid legal disputes. Registering your will ensures your wishes are followed, and your loved ones are safeguarded — without delays or complications.

At Kanoony, we specialize in hassle-free will drafting and registration. Whether you’re looking to register a DIFC will or prefer the Abu Dhabi Civil Family Court route, our legal experts ensure your assets and loved ones are protected.

• Transparent pricing.
• Expert legal advice.
• Step-by-step guidance.