In Dubai, a will can be registered in two ways:

1️⃣ Through the DIFC Wills Service Centre (WSC)
2️⃣ Through Dubai courts, which apply Sharia law

Below, we explain why the vast majority of expatriates and investors choose DIFC.

A DIFC will allows asset distribution according to personal wishes, not default inheritance rules.

What Is DIFC?

The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) is a free zone with its own independent legal system based on English common law.

DIFC Courts operate in English, and all rulings are issued in line with internationally recognized legal standards.

DIFC is the first and only jurisdiction in the MENA region where a will can be registered outside the scope of Sharia law.

Why a DIFC Will Provides Real Protection

📌 Key advantages:

  • Operates under a predictable common law framework
  • Does not involve Sharia courts
  • Can be prepared and signed remotely
  • Covers real estate, businesses, and bank accounts
  • Allows appointment of guardians for minor children
  • Available to both UAE residents and non-residents

Pro Tip

A DIFC will is not about avoiding local law — it is about choosing the legal system that governs your estate.

Types of DIFC Wills

  • Property wills
  • Financial wills
  • Business wills
  • Guardianship wills

What Happens If There Is No Will — or Only a Foreign Will?

  • Dubai courts apply Sharia law by default
  • Heirs may be appointed by the court regardless of the deceased’s wishes
  • Recognition of a foreign will is lengthy and costly
  • There is no consistent precedent, and outcomes are unpredictable
  • Results cannot be guaranteed in advance

How DIFC Will Registration Works

  1. Legal consultation to determine the appropriate will type
  2. Completion of a questionnaire covering the testator, beneficiaries, and executors
  3. Drafting of the will and upload to the DIFC portal
  4. Video call via Microsoft Teams for identity verification (passport check)
  5. Digital signature on a tablet or smartphone
  6. Official registration — the will becomes legally valid

⏳ The signing process takes approximately 1–1.5 hours. Preparation may take up to 4 weeks due to limited DIFC court appointment slots.

Guardianship of Children: Key Points

A DIFC will allows parents to pre-appoint temporary or permanent guardians for minor children residing in the UAE.

This protects children from potential Sharia court decisions, where guardianship may be assigned without regard to parental wishes.

How a DIFC Will Is Executed

  • The appointed executor files an application with DIFC Courts
  • The court reviews the will and issues a Grant of Probate
  • The executor gains authority to manage assets, settle liabilities, and transfer property to beneficiaries
  • If guardianship is included, a formal court order is issued
  • No Sharia authorities are involved

⏱ Average execution timeframe: 2–6 weeks.

Key Takeaway

If you own property, run a business, hold bank accounts, or have children in the UAE, a DIFC will is not a formality — it is a core legal protection tool.

It ensures that your assets and family matters are handled exactly according to your wishes.