Non-Muslim Expatriates and Will Registrations

Non-Muslim expatriates can register their assets in UAE at DIFC Wills, Dubai Courts or also at your consulate in Dubai or UAE. Check the article for the details.

Non-Muslim expatriates, while living in Dubai, are offered many options for creating and registering the wills of the assets they have in UAE. Let us support this through a law.

Federal Decree Law No 41 of 2022, which is from a Civil Personal Status Law, and Law No. 15 of 2017 which is about the Estate Administration and implementation of Wills of Non-Muslims. Wills can be drafted and registered in DIFC, Dubai Courts or consulate.

Non-Muslim expatriates are allowed to use the UAE Sharia Law for their personal and domestic disputes. We would like to clarify that if they want their native country laws to be used in court, then they have to arrange the native country law, attested by the UAE Embassy and foreign office and then submit to the court for the verdict.

But they also have the option to use the UAE personal status law. These subjects can be marriage and divorce, wills and estates, inheritance etc. Article 11(1), of Civil Law, allows expatriates Non-Muslims to choose the law either UAE Law or their native/home country law.

DIFC will define the requirements for such wills. These wills have to be in English, witnessed by the witnesses, as well as appointments of guardians and executors. Apart from this, they are also granted an option to register at their home country’s consulate in UAE. They can also register at Dubai Courts.

For details, you can visit our office, book the legal appointment and consult our Wills and Estate Advocates and legal consultants. Wills and Estate planning is just for Non-Muslims. Muslims are not allowed to use any will plan other than Sharia Law.