Mirror wills are the most common choice for couples in the UAE. The name suggests one joint document, but that isn't what they are. Here is what you actually get.
What mirror wills are
Mirror wills are two separate wills, one for each partner, with matching wishes. Typically:
- each partner leaves everything to the other
- if the other partner has already died, everything goes to the children (or other chosen beneficiaries)
- both wills name the same guardians and the same executor
Whichever partner dies first, the plan works the same way.
Why couples choose them
- Your spouse is protected. Without a will, a non-Muslim spouse generally inherits only half of a UAE estate, and the children share the rest. Mirror wills let each partner leave everything to the other. See what happens without a will.
- Guardianship is consistent. Both wills name the same guardians, so the arrangement holds whichever of you dies first.
- One process. You give instructions and register together, with one appointment.
What they cost
Mirror wills are two wills, so the court fee is charged twice.
| Single will | Mirror wills | |
|---|---|---|
| ADJD court fee | AED 950 | AED 1,900 |
| Emirates Wills fee | AED 699 | AED 1,099 |
The one real limitation
Each will belongs to one person. After the first partner dies, the survivor can change their own will, for example after remarrying, and the original plan for the children isn't locked in. For most couples that's fine, because it gives the survivor flexibility. If you want stronger protection for children from a previous relationship, for example, it's worth discussing the wording before you register.
When a single will is better
- You're not in a couple, or only one of you has assets or children in the UAE.
- You and your partner want different things, for example because you have children from different relationships.
- Only one of you meets the requirements to register right now.
Even then, it's usually worth both partners having a will. A will only covers the person who makes it.
Frequently asked questions
Are mirror wills one document?
No. They're two separate wills with matching wishes, registered together.
Do unmarried couples use mirror wills?
They can. Unmarried partners have no automatic inheritance rights under the default rules, so a will matters even more.
Can we name different beneficiaries in each will?
Yes. The wills don't have to be identical. "Mirror" describes the usual structure, not a legal requirement.
What if one of us wants to change their will later?
Either partner can make a new will at any time, which has to be registered in the usual way. Couples usually update both together.
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.