Register your DIFC Wills from Home

DIFC Courts Wills Service (DIFC CWS) has introduced registration of all Wills through video conferencing during the COVID-19 crisis.

All appointments for Will registrations are booked through the DIFC CWS’s portal by selecting the video conferencing registration option.

An authorized officer shall review the Will with you on a video conference call. Once you confirm the contents of your Will, you can simply insert an electronic signature through your mobile device.

For the registration process to complete, you will require two (2) witnesses to sign on your Will simultaneously. These witnesses can join the same video conference from different locations and insert electronic signatures (through their mobile devices) on the link provided by the DIFC directly.

The witnesses should not be beneficiaries or guardians mentioned in your Will or spouses of beneficiaries, or guardians mentioned in your Will. The witnesses must be over the age of 18 years and must show their photographic ID during the video conferencing registration. You will also be required to present your passport or Emirates ID during the video conferencing call.

Once the Will is signed, it will become binding and you will be given the option to download your signed Will immediately.

Legal Inz ensures the smooth registration of DIFC Wills as per the above protocols.

Order your DIFC Wills today and secure the future of your loved ones.

Effective as of 30 June 2019, DIFC Courts Wills Service has made landmark amendments to the DIFC Wills & Probate Registry Rules (the “Rules”) resulting in the following benefits for testators:

1. DIFC Wills now automatically cover all moveable and immoveable assets throughout the United Arab Emirates.
2. DIFC Wills may also cover movable and immoveable assets situated in other countries around the world, subject to legal advice.

Before this amendment, the Rules only permitted the testators to include the moveable and immoveable assets situated in the Emirates of Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah.

The amendment to the Rules has significantly extended the coverage offered by the DIFC Wills. However, if you wish to include your assets situated outside the United Arab Emirates in your DIFC Will, it may be possible to do so subject to our legal advice in relation to the enforcement of the DIFC Will in the relevant jurisdiction.

DIFC Courts Wills Service (DIFC CWS) offers various types of Wills products for non-Muslims living or having assets in the United Arab Emirates. You should carefully consider the coverage provided by each document before proceeding with a document that is right for you:

Full Will

A DIFC Full Will is the most comprehensive document amongst all documents offered by DIFC CWS. It covers the following:

• Distribution of all moveable and immoveable assets situated in the United Arab Emirates as per your wishes.
• Option to distribute moveable and immoveable assets in jurisdictions outside the United Arab Emirates, subject to legal advice.
• Appointment of guardians for minor children (below the age of 18 years), including permanent and interim/temporary guardians.
• Appointment of executors and alternate executors.
• Distribution of any gifts (such as cash or physical items) to any person.
• Any other provisions to reflect your wishes.

The registration of a DIFC Full Will is carried out by visiting the offices of the DIFC CWS along with two (2) witnesses.

Here are five (5) reasons why DIFC may be the most appropriate option for the registration of your Will in the UAE:

1. Transfer your assets as you wish

You can leave your moveable and immoveable assets in the UAE to anyone you like by registering your Will with the DIFC Courts Will Service(DIFC CWS). You can also appoint guardians for your children, give specific gifts of cash or items to anyone of your choice though your DIFC Will.

The DIFC Wills & Probate Registry Rules (the “Rules”) also permit the inclusion of assets situated anywhere in the world in a DIFC Will. This is, however, subject to obtaining our legal advice.