UAE Wills
Protect your family & assets in the UAE
UAE Last will and Testament
We draft and register legally recognised Wills under the DIFC, Abu Dhabi Court (ADJD), and Dubai Court frameworks — ensuring your assets are distributed according to your wishes, not default inheritance rules.
In-depth description
- For non-Muslim expatriates and for Muslims, we provide the essential service of drafting a legally recognized Will in the UAE.
We use the Dubai Court, Abu Dhabi Court, or DIFC Wills frameworks to ensure your UAE-based assets are distributed according to your specific wishes, overriding the default application of Shari’ah principles and providing certainty for your family’s future. It also deals with children guardianship.
Scope of work
- Understand the client’s assets in the UAE and their specific distribution wishes.
- Advise on the most appropriate framework (DIFC, ADJD, or other UAE courts).
- Advise on the appointment of guardiansfor minor children.
- Draft a legally robust Will that is fully compliant with the chosen framework
Price range
- AED 6,500 (Dubai Court)
- AED 12,000 (DIFC)
- Fixed fee
Deliverables
- A professionally drafted Last Will and Testament.
- Full assistance with the official registration of the Will at the chosen authority.
Is this for you?
Are you an expat living in the UAE without a Will?
Do you own property in multiple emirates?
Are you a business owner with UAE company shares?
Want to appoint guardians for your children?
DIFC vs ADGM vs Dubai Court
The right framework depends on where your assets are located, your family situation, and the level of customisation and your planning goals.
DIFC | Abu Dhabi Civil (ADJD) | Dubai Courts | |
|---|---|---|---|
Coverage | Depends on the will type; can cover UAE property, bank accounts, shares, guardianship, and sometimes wider assets
| Can cover UAE assets and may also refer to assets outside the UAE
| Usually best viewed as a local UAE route for simpler estates
|
Eligibility | Non-Muslim residents & non-residents | Non-Muslim residents & non-residents | All residents (Muslim & non-Muslim) |
Cost level | Higher | Lower | Lower to Medium |
Timeline | 2–4 weeks | 2–4 weeks | 2–3 weeks |
Best for | Expats with more complex estates, multiple asset types, guardianship needs, or cross-border planning
| Expats looking for an official UAE will with a lower official registration cost | Expats with simpler UAE-based estates, especially Dubai-focused assets |
Our UAE Will services
Will drafting
Property Will
Full Will
Will registration
Guardianship Will
Business owner Will
Frequently Asked Questions
Any person over 21 (DIFC) or 18 (ADGM/Dubai Courts) holding UAE assets. Open to residents and non-residents, Muslims and non-Muslims.
Your assets will be distributed according to UAE personal status law, which applies Shari’ah inheritance principles by default. This applies to non-Muslims as well. Assets may be frozen for an extended period.
Key contacts:
Géraldine Heimburger
Partner · Family Lawyer
David Dutruc-Rosset
Associate · Broad Generalist
Recent articles:
WHAT SET US APART
Why ASTRUC & Co
A boutique approach to legal advisory, built for entrepreneurs and business leaders who value clarity, speed, and results.
1.
Senior-level counsel
Your matters are handled directly by experienced lawyers — never delegated to junior associates. You get the expertise you’re paying for, every time.
2.
Business-first approach
We don’t just cite the law — we translate it into actionable strategy. Our advice is built around your commercial objectives, timelines, and risk tolerance.
3.
Cross-border fluency
Operating between French, UAE, and international legal frameworks, we bring a multicultural perspective that few firms in the region can match.
More Than Legal Counsel
With You, all the way
Life in the UAE brings extraordinary opportunities — and equally complex legal realities. Whether you’re relocating your family, navigating a divorce across jurisdictions, or structuring an inheritance that spans continents, you deserve a legal partner who understands both the technicalities and the human side of what you’re going through. At ASTRUC & Co, we treat every client’s situation as if it were our own.
From our offices in Dubai to our network spanning Riyadh, Paris, and Luxembourg, we bring senior-level attention to every matter — personal or financial. We believe the best legal advice is honest, clear, and delivered by someone who genuinely cares about the outcome. That’s why our clients stay with us, and why they come back when life presents its next chapter.
Ready to move forward?
Book a consultation with our team to discuss your business needs and explore how we can support your next step in the UAE.
