Everything You Need to Know About Registering “Expat Will” In UAE

People spent the significant part of their life working very hard to earn for themselves and their beloved ones so that they can lead a happy and peaceful life.

But ever imagined what will happen to your dear ones if you are no longer a part of this world? Yes, it is pretty hard to believe, but keeping the lives of our family secure is as important as earning for them, especially if you are the sole bread earner in the family.

The importance of making a will comes into picture here; if you make a will, then your properties and finance (e.g., -The Bank a/c) will be shared according to your wishes, after your death.

But this was not the case with non-Muslims living in UAE; they were not permitted to make a will until recent times. In May 2015, the DIFC Wills & Probate Registry (WPR) was created, allowing non-Muslims to register “wills” for their properties in UAE.

According to the new law, non-Muslim expats living and working in UAE can register a “will” in English under internationally recognised Common Law. It is suggested to use a consultant to get your will done in UAE, as verification of documents and processing can be made accessible with their assistance.

The will to be registered at the Non-Muslims Wills Office, (a separate unit set up in the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department), with a fee AED 950/-. The executor of the will can be your spouse, immediate family including children or siblings, provided their age is not less than 21.

The following items needed for registering the “will”-

• Emirates ID
• Passport (original and a copy)

The document “Will” that has to be legalised, along with copies of the documents that provide clear evidence of the bestowed property ownership.

An official translation is required if the document is drafted in a language other than Arabic, attested by the Ministry of Justice.

The application for “will” creation can be submitted online at the portal of  Abu Dhabi Judicial Department [ADJD], and upon approval of the application, you will get an SMS confirmation. The application fee can be paid online through the same site.

For processing of the application, you will have to contact the Non-Muslim Wills Registration Office, where you have to submit the original documents, on the given date. Once completing the procedures, Notary Public of the department will deliver the ‘will’.

If you are a non-Muslim living in UAE, make sure you draft your will and register it at the earliest, to avoid future serious issues.