Many expats assume their home-country will, or simply their spouse, will take care of things. In the UAE that isn't how it works. If you die without a registered UAE will, the law decides for you, and the process can leave your family waiting with limited access to money.
Your UAE assets can be frozen
When a death is reported, banks typically freeze accounts held in the deceased person's sole name until a court confirms who is entitled to the money. That can include salary accounts your family relies on for rent and school fees. Property and vehicles in your name are similarly tied up until the court process is complete.
A registered will doesn't make this instant, but it gives the court clear instructions and a named executor, which usually makes the process faster and more predictable.
Default rules decide who inherits
Which rules apply depends on your circumstances:
- Non-Muslim expats. Under the UAE's civil personal status law (Federal Decree-Law No. 41 of 2022), if there's no will, the surviving spouse generally receives half the estate and the children share the other half equally. The law also lets heirs ask for the deceased's home-country inheritance rules to be applied instead, which adds its own complexity.
- Muslims. Estates are generally distributed under Islamic inheritance rules, with fixed shares for different relatives.
A split you would never have chosen can cause real problems. If most of your wealth is the family home, for example, a spouse who inherits half may not be able to keep it without buying out the children's share, and children who are minors can't simply agree to a sale.
Your children's guardianship isn't guaranteed
This is the part that matters most to parents. If both parents die, or the surviving parent can't care for the children, a court decides who looks after them. Without a will, it has no record of what you would have wanted. Relatives abroad may disagree, and children can be placed in temporary care while it's resolved.
A registered will lets you name the guardians you trust, with backups. Our guide to guardianship explains how.
"My home-country will covers it"
It usually doesn't, or not easily. A will made abroad isn't automatically applied to UAE assets. Getting it recognised means translation, attestation and a court application, while your family waits. Most expats keep their home-country will for assets there and a separate UAE will for assets here.
"Everything is joint with my spouse"
Joint accounts help, but they're not a plan. Many assets are in one person's name, such as the salary account, end-of-service benefits or the car, and joint ownership doesn't say anything about who looks after your children.
What a registered will changes
- You decide who inherits your UAE assets and in what shares.
- You name an executor to deal with the court and the banks.
- You name guardians for your children, with backups.
- Your family has a clear, court-registered document to work from.
An ADJD will costs AED 950 in court fees. With Emirates Wills, preparation is AED 699, fixed.
Frequently asked questions
Will my spouse automatically inherit everything?
Not under the default rules. For non-Muslims without a will, the spouse generally receives half and the children share the rest. A will lets you leave everything to your spouse if that's what you want.
How long are bank accounts frozen?
It depends on the case and the court. Weeks to months is common. A registered will with a named executor usually shortens the process.
Does this apply if I'm only in the UAE for a few years?
Yes. The rules apply to UAE assets and to children living here, however long you plan to stay.
Can I make a will quickly if I need to?
Preparing the will can be quick. Registration depends on the court's appointment schedule, so it's better not to leave it until you're under time pressure.
This guide is general information about UAE wills, not legal advice for your situation. Court fees and procedures change, so check the current position with the court before relying on a figure. Emirates Wills is not a law firm.