UAE wills: frequently asked questions

QuickWills UAE supports both Abu Dhabi will routes: the ADGM (Abu Dhabi Global Market) Courts and the ADJD (Abu Dhabi Judicial Department) Civil Family Court. Both register a will covering your UAE assets, but they differ on eligibility, government fee, and how you sign.

• ADGM: for non-Muslim residents; English common law framework; virtual notary appointment with wet-ink signatures.
• ADJD Civil Family Court: open to resident expatriates of any religion, with each registration confirmed by ADJD case-by-case (not UAE/GCC nationals); fully remote via online filing and a video-call notarisation; lower government fee.

Our eligibility checker points you to the route that fits your circumstances. Compare ADGM vs ADJD →

Our service is designed for individuals who:

• Are 21 years or older
• Are non-Muslim or have never been Muslim (particularly for ADGM)
• Own assets in the UAE (property, bank accounts, investments, businesses)
• Are of sound mind and not under duress
• Want to prepare an ADGM or ADJD UAE will document

ADGM is one of the two Abu Dhabi routes we support. It has some distinct strengths for eligible testators:

Yes, strongly recommended. Here's why:

• UAE courts may not recognise foreign wills for UAE assets
• Probate processes can be lengthy and expensive without a local will
• Sharia law may apply to your UAE assets without a valid local will
• A UAE will provides clarity and reduces complications for your family
• Banks and property developers prefer UAE wills for asset transfers

You must be 21 years or older to create a will in all UAE jurisdictions. This applies to:

• The testator (person making the will)
• Witnesses (for execution)
• Adult beneficiaries receiving inheritance

ADGM strictly requires non-Muslims or those who have never been Muslim.

This requirement exists because:

• Islamic law (Sharia) governs inheritance for Muslims in the UAE
• ADGM wills follow English common law principles
• ADGM courts need clear jurisdiction over the testator

If you were ever Muslim, the ADJD Civil Family Court's civil-will route is the applicable option rather than ADGM. ADJD has been accepting civil-will registrations from non-GCC Muslim residents, with acceptance confirmed by the court case-by-case at registration. If ADJD declines to register your will, our acceptance guarantee refunds everything you paid. See who qualifies for each route →

No, UAE residency is not required. However:

• UAE residents have additional considerations (Emirates ID, local address)
• Non-residents should ensure their will covers UAE assets specifically
• Witness requirements may be easier to fulfil for residents
• Court procedures may be more straightforward for residents

Yes.

• Your progress is automatically saved after each section
• Log in anytime to continue where you left off
• No time limits on completion
• All information is securely stored
• You can make changes until final submission

Yes, you have several options:

Mistakes are easy to fix. Our system includes:

• Real-time validation and error checking
• Edit capabilities at every step
• Full review before final submission
• Customer support to help correct issues
• No penalties for making changes

Yes, when properly executed. Your will is legally binding when:

• Prepared using the published requirements for your selected court route
• Properly translated (if required)
• Signed with proper witnesses
• Notarised at the appropriate court
• Registered with court authorities

No. A lawyer is not required to make a UAE will.

Our guided platform covers:

• Straightforward family situations
• Clear asset ownership
• Standard beneficiary arrangements

Two witnesses required with the following qualifications:

• Must be 21 years or older
• Should not be beneficiaries or their spouses
• Should not be related to beneficiaries
• Must be of sound mind
• Preferably UAE residents (not required but helpful)
• Must be present when you sign
• Must sign and date the will themselves

Legal execution requires:

1. Certified translation by a certified translator (if required, standard ADJD wills use the official bilingual court form instead)
2. Personal signature in your own handwriting
3. Date the signature
4. Two qualified witnesses present during signing
5. Witness signatures and dates
6. Notarisation at appropriate court
7. Registration with court authorities
8. Fee payment to court

Multiple storage options recommended:

• Original: Secure personal safe or bank safety deposit box
• Certified copies: With executors and trusted family members
• Digital copy: Secure cloud storage (password protected)
• Court copy: Automatically stored after notarisation
• Platform access: Account access while the service is active

Essential documents for ADGM execution (official requirements):

Arabic translation (included in platform fee, where required):

Complete ADGM court preparation guide:

Post-notarisation changes:

Once your will is notarised with ADGM, you'll need to create a new will to make changes (codicils are not recommended).

Official ADGM fee structure:

QuickWills UAE platform fees (by will type):

• Estate & Guardianship Will: AED 1,500
• Guardianship Only Will: AED 950
• Estate Only Will: AED 1,200

Includes:

• Complete will creation process
• Guided document generation
• Certified Arabic translation for ADGM wills (valued at AED 500). Standard ADJD wills use the official bilingual court form instead, with no separate translation step
• Edits before finalisation
• Account access while the service is active
• Email, WhatsApp and live-chat support
• Secure cloud storage

ADGM notarisation and registration fees:

• Standard fee: ~AED 1,520
• Payment methods: Cash, credit card, or bank transfer
• When paid: At the time of notarisation appointment

What the fee includes:

• Document review and validation by court officials
• Official notarisation service
• Registration in ADGM court records
• Official will certificate issuance
• Secure storage in court database

Note: Fees are subject to change by ADGM. Current fees can be verified on the ADGM Courts website.

Arabic translation (included for ADGM wills, where required):

• Cost: Included in platform fee (no additional charge)
• Duration: certified within 48 hours of will finalisation
• Service: Professional certified translators
• Process: Automatic upon will completion, no action required from you
• Includes: Official certification, stamps, and formatting for your court route
• Standard ADJD wills: use the official bilingual court form, so there's no separate translation step or cost

No ongoing fees for:

• Document storage and access
• Basic customer support
• Platform account maintenance

Additional costs only for:

• Creating new/updated wills (starting from AED 950)
• New notarisation (if creating new will)

• Credit cards: Visa, Mastercard, American Express
• Debit cards: UAE and international
• Online banking: Major UAE banks
• Digital wallets: Apple Pay, Google Pay
• Bank transfers: For corporate accounts

Supported browsers:

• Chrome 90+ (recommended)
• Firefox 88+
• Safari 14+
• Edge 90+

Features required:

• JavaScript enabled
• Cookies enabled
• PDF viewer capability
• Secure connection (HTTPS)

Yes, fully responsive design:

• Works on smartphones and tablets
• Touch-friendly interface
• Optimised text sizing
• Easy navigation on small screens
• All features available on mobile

Recommended for mobile:

• Use landscape mode for longer forms
• Ensure stable internet connection
• Consider using tablet for optimal experience

Security measures include:

• Encrypted in transit and at rest
• Access logged
• Regular automated backups
• Handled under UAE data-protection requirements

Yes, full multi-device access:

• Log in from any device with internet
• Automatic synchronisation
• Same account across all devices
• Session security protection
• Remote logout capability

PDF format (primary):

• Professional formatting
• Print-ready quality
• Password protection available
• Watermarked drafts
• Final clean versions

Additional formats:

• Online viewing/editing
• Secure cloud storage
• Mobile-optimised viewing
• Print formatting guides

Both are UAE wills for non-Muslims that cover UAE assets, but they use different courts and processes:

• Court: ADGM wills are registered with the ADGM Courts; ADJD wills are registered with the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department's Civil Family Court.
• Eligibility: ADGM requires non-Muslims (or those who have never been Muslim); the ADJD civil-will route serves non-Muslim residents, and in practice ADJD has also been accepting registrations from non-Emirati Muslim residents, confirmed case-by-case (not available to UAE/GCC nationals).
• Government fee: ADGM is approximately AED 1,520 (composite); ADJD is AED 950 for a single will.
• Process: ADGM uses a virtual notary appointment with wet-ink signatures on every page; ADJD is fully remote via online portal filing and a video-call notarisation.

See the full ADGM vs ADJD comparison →

An ADJD will has two parts, just like an ADGM will:

• Platform fee: The same schedule as our ADGM wills, starting from AED 950 depending on will type. This covers guided document preparation and the official ADJD bilingual court form. The standard form is already bilingual, so there's no separate translation step to pay for.
• Government registration fee: AED 950 for a single will, or AED 1,900 for mirror wills (couples). This is paid directly to the ADJD, not to us.

Compare ADGM vs ADJD pricing →

The ADJD civil-will route was designed for non-Muslim residents. In practice, ADJD has also been accepting civil-will registrations from non-GCC Muslim residents. Acceptance is confirmed by the court case-by-case at registration rather than automatic, and this area of UAE law is still developing.

That's why every ADJD will comes with our acceptance guarantee: in the rare case ADJD declines to register your will, we refund everything you paid, including the AED 950 government fee if ADJD collected it and doesn't return it.

It is not available to UAE or GCC nationals. Because eligibility depends on your nationality and residency, we'll confirm your specific eligibility with you during onboarding before any will is filed.

See who qualifies for each route →

Yes. The ADJD Civil Family Court will can be completed without visiting a court in person:

1. Submit your will and documents through the online portal
2. The court reviews your submission
3. Pay the government registration fee
4. Complete notarisation at a scheduled video-call appointment

Compare the ADGM and ADJD processes →

No. The official ADJD form covers only property and interests situated or arising in the UAE, and it revokes only your prior UAE wills. Assets held in other countries should be covered by a will made in the relevant jurisdiction.

Learn more in the ADGM vs ADJD comparison →

Start with our eligibility checker. A few quick questions confirm whether the ADJD Civil Family Court route fits your circumstances and saves your result. From there you follow the same guided preparation as an ADGM will: complete the questionnaire, review your document on the official ADJD bilingual court form (no separate translation step needed), and register directly with the ADJD.

Compare ADGM vs ADJD →