ADJD Wills in The UAE: Complete Guide for 2026

For many expats in the UAE, making a Will is not only about deciding who receives property after death. It is about protecting family members, avoiding confusion, and making sure your wishes are formally recorded.

ADJD Wills have become one of the most practical Will registration options in the UAE. They are registered through the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department and are widely used by expats who want a cost-effective, accessible, and legally recognised route.

This guide explains what ADJD Wills are, who can register them, what they can cover, the ADJD will registration process, the ADJD will cost, and how Legal Inz can help.

What Is an ADJD Will?

An ADJD Will is a civil Will registered through the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department and is available to both Muslims and non-Muslims. It allows a person to record how they want their assets to be distributed after death.

For expats, this can be especially important. Without a registered Will, family members may need to rely on court processes and the applicable inheritance rules. This can create uncertainty, especially where the family has children, UAE property, bank accounts, business interests or assets in more than one country.

ADJD Wills are commonly used because the process is clear, the fees are lower than some other will registration routes, and registration can usually be completed remotely by video call.

Legal Framework for ADJD Wills in the UAE

The Abu Dhabi Judicial Department (ADJD) provides a civil Will registration route through the Abu Dhabi Civil Wills Office. Wills registered through ADJD are administered under Abu Dhabi’s civil law framework, principally Abu Dhabi Law No. 14 of 2021 on Civil Marriage and its Effects in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, which regulates civil wills and inheritance.

ADJD’s official guidance states that non-UAE citizens may register a Will through the Abu Dhabi Civil Wills Office, regardless of their religion. This means both Muslim and non-Muslim expats across the UAE, including Dubai residents, may use this route to register a civil Will.

For Muslim expats, this can be particularly relevant where they want a UAE Will that records how they wish their assets to be distributed, rather than relying solely on the default rules of Sharia inheritance. However, professional legal advice is recommended to ensure the Will is drafted appropriately and registered through the correct process.

Who Can Register an ADJD Will?

An ADJD Will can be registered by expats across the UAE, including residents of Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah and other emirates.

It may be suitable for:

• Muslim and non-Muslim expats
• Dubai residents who want an Abu Dhabi registration route
• UAE residents with bank accounts, property or business interests
• Parents who want to include guardianship provisions
• People who want a cost-effective Will registration option
• Expats who want remote registration by video call
• Individuals or couples preparing mirror Wills

A UAE Will for Muslim expats should be drafted carefully because the wording must clearly record the person’s wishes and match the ADJD registration requirements.

Why Should You Register ADJD Wills?

Registering a Will gives your family a clearer document to rely on if something happens to you. It can help reduce uncertainty over who should inherit your assets, who should manage your estate, and who should care for your minor children.

ADJD Wills are often chosen because they offer:

• Lower government registration fees compared with some other routes
• Online submission and video-call notarisation
• Availability to Muslim and non-Muslim expats
• The ability to record wishes for UAE assets and certain overseas assets

This makes ADJD Wills a strong option for expats who want formal protection without going through a more expensive registration route.

What Can Be Included in an ADJD Will?

An ADJD Will can usually cover the key parts of an estate plan, including:

• Beneficiaries: Names who should receive your assets
• Executors: Appoints the person who will carry out your wishes
• UAE assets: Can include property, bank accounts, shares, vehicles and personal assets
• Overseas assets: ADJD allows money and property outside the UAE to be included, but enforcement abroad depends on the country where the asset is located
• Guardianship provisions: Can record who should care for minor children, where appropriate

It is important to be careful with overseas assets. ADJD allows foreign assets to be listed, but foreign courts, banks or land registries may still require a separate probate process. If you have major property or investments abroad, you should check whether a separate local Will is needed in that country.

Types of ADJD Wills

There are usually two main types of ADJD Wills.

• Single Will: best for one person making a Will for their assets and wishes
• Mirror Wills: best for couples who want similar Wills, usually naming each other and then alternate beneficiaries

Mirror Wills are common for married couples, but each person still has their own Will. The Wills may mirror each other, but they should still be reviewed carefully to make sure the beneficiaries, executors, guardians and asset details are correct.

Documents Required for ADJD Will

The exact documents may vary depending on your circumstances, but the usual requirements include:

• Passport copy
• Emirates ID, if available
• Contact details
• Details of beneficiaries
• Details of executors
• Details of guardians, if minor children are involved
• Details of UAE assets
• Details of overseas assets, if included
• Existing Wills, if any
• Marriage certificate, where relevant
• Property documents, title deeds or bank details, where relevant

For company shares or business interests, additional documents may be needed. A lawyer can review your asset position and confirm what should be included.

ADJD Will Registration Process

The ADJD Will registration process is relatively straightforward when your Will has been properly prepared. While the exact requirements may vary depending on your circumstances, the process generally follows these steps.

Step 1: Review Your Assets and Family Circumstances

Start by identifying the assets you want to include in your Will, as well as your chosen beneficiaries, executor, and guardians if you have minor children. This information forms the basis of your estate plan.

Step 2: Draft Your Will

Your Will is prepared in accordance with your instructions while ensuring it complies with ADJD’s legal and formatting requirements. A properly drafted Will helps minimise the risk of delays during registration.

Step 3: Complete the Required Translation

ADJD Wills are registered in both English and Arabic. If your original Will is prepared in English, it must be accurately translated before it can proceed through the registration process.

Step 4: Submit the Application

Once the Will and supporting documents are ready, the application is submitted to the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department for review.

Step 5: ADJD Reviews the Will

The reviewing officer checks that the application meets the relevant legal and procedural requirements. If any information is missing or requires clarification, amendments may be requested before approval.

Step 6: Pay the Registration Fee

After the application is approved, the applicable ADJD registration fee must be paid before the notarisation stage can proceed.

Step 7: Attend the Video Notarisation Appointment

The testator completes the notarisation process through a remote video call with the relevant ADJD representative, who verifies their identity and confirms their intention to register the Will.

Step 8: Receive Your Registered Will

Once the notarisation is complete, the ADJD issues the officially registered Will. You should keep a copy in a safe place and review it whenever your family or financial circumstances change.

ADJD Will Registration Cost

The ADJD will cost is one of the main reasons many expats consider this route.

• Single Will: AED 950
• Mirror Wills: AED 1,900

These are government registration fees. Drafting, translation, legal advice and urgent services may be separate.

The ADJD will registration cost is generally lower than DIFC Will registration fees. However, cost should not be the only factor. The Will should still be drafted properly and reviewed against your assets, family situation and long-term wishes.

How Long Does Registration Take?

The timeline depends on how quickly the draft Will is prepared, whether translation is needed, whether ADJD requests amendments, and how soon a video appointment is available.

For straightforward cases, the process can often move quickly once the documents are ready. More complex Wills involving overseas assets, business shares, guardianship or multiple beneficiaries may take longer because the drafting needs more care.

If you need urgent drafting, Legal Inz offers urgent 1-working-day drafting at an additional fee, subject to availability and the details of the case.

Can You Register an ADJD Will Online?

Yes. ADJD allows online submission and video-call notarisation for civil Wills. This makes the process convenient for busy UAE residents, Dubai residents using the Abu Dhabi route, and expats who want to avoid unnecessary in-person visits.

Legal Inz also guides modern will registration through video conferencing.

Although registration may be completed remotely, the Will should still be carefully drafted before submission. Online registration does not remove the need for proper legal wording.

How Legal Inz Can Help

Legal Inz helps clients prepare and register ADJD Wills with the support of qualified legal experts. Your Will is not treated as a generic template. It is prepared with your family, assets, beneficiaries, executors, and guardianship wishes in mind.

Our team assists with will writing, drafting, translation, review, and ADJD will registration. We also help you understand whether ADJD is the right route or whether DIFC or another option is more suitable.

Legal Inz has over 12 years of industry experience and has completed more than 15,000 Wills. Legal Inz guides clients through the process from the first consultation to final registration.

If you are preparing a UAE Will for Muslim expats, or you want a practical Will route as a non-Muslim expat, Legal Inz can help you choose the right structure and avoid mistakes that could create problems for your family later.

Key Takeaways

• ADJD Wills are a practical and cost-effective civil Will registration option for Muslim and non-Muslim expats across the UAE.
• The Abu Dhabi Wills Registry route allows online submission and video-call notarisation, making the process convenient for Dubai and Abu Dhabi residents.
• The ADJD will cost is lower than DIFC Full Will registration fees, but the Will should still be drafted carefully by qualified legal experts.

FAQs

Is an ADJD Will valid in all emirates?

ADJD Wills are registered through the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department and are commonly used by expats across the UAE, including Dubai residents. However, how the Will is enforced may depend on the assets, emirate, court process, and circumstances at the time of probate. Legal advice should be taken if you have assets in different emirates.

Can I update my ADJD Will?

Yes. You can update an ADJD Will if your circumstances change. This may be needed after marriage, divorce, the birth of a child, buying property, selling assets, changing beneficiaries or appointing a new executor. In many cases, the updated Will must be re-registered and the applicable fee paid again.

Do I need a lawyer for an ADJD Will?

A lawyer is strongly recommended. An ADJD Will must be drafted clearly and should match the correct registration requirements. A lawyer-drafted Will reduces the risk of unclear wording, missing beneficiaries, weak guardianship clauses, problems with overseas assets or delays during registration.

What is the difference between an ADJD Will and a DIFC Will?

An ADJD Will is registered through the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department and is available to Muslim and non-Muslim expats. It is generally more cost-effective and can be notarised by video call. A DIFC Will is registered through the DIFC Courts Wills Service and is mainly for non-Muslims who want an English-language DIFC route.

Can an ADJD Will cover my assets in Dubai?

Yes, an ADJD Will can be used by Dubai residents and may cover Dubai assets. However, the asset type and enforcement process should be reviewed carefully, especially for real estate, business shares or assets spread across different emirates.

Do ADJD Wills allow opting out of Sharia law?

Yes. ADJD allows Muslim and non-Muslim expats across the UAE, including Dubai residents, to register civil Wills. For Muslim expats, this means they can record how they want their assets to be distributed without strict adherence to default Sharia inheritance rules. Legal advice is still recommended to make sure the Will is drafted and registered correctly.