Guide · updated 02.09.2026 · 10 min read · Lucent Legal team

How Much Does a Will Cost in Dubai, and Which One Should You Get (2026)

Most expats decide "I should probably get a will," then immediately ask "how much, and where do I go." Short answer: anywhere from roughly AED 950 for a will registered through the ADJD registry in Abu Dhabi, up to AED 10,000–15,000 (some sources quote around USD 1,400) for a full DIFC will. The exact number turns on where your assets sit, how many types you hold, and what you value most: price, speed, or recognition across all seven emirates at once. Non-Muslims in the UAE have three working routes, each with its own price tag and coverage, and here's an honest, numbers-first comparison rather than a pitch for the priciest option.

Three Routes for Non-Muslims

A non-Muslim in the UAE has three ways to formally record their wishes for their assets: register a will with the DIFC Wills Service Centre (covering Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah), register one with the ADJD registry (based in Abu Dhabi but recognised across all emirates), or get a notarised will through the Dubai Courts under the standard local procedure. What happens with no will at all, plus the finer points — choice of governing law, frozen accounts — sit in our full guide to inheritance in the UAE; this guide sticks to cost and coverage.

DIFC Wills: Pricing by Type

DIFC isn't one document but a lineup built for different needs, and the price follows exactly what you're covering:

• Full Will — all movable and immovable property in the UAE, plus guardianship of minor children. Estimated around USD 1,400 in court fees, or AED 10,000–15,000 by other sources.
• Property Will — up to five real estate assets (or shares in them). Cheaper than the Full Will, from roughly USD 840 / AED 5,000.
• Financial Assets Will — covers up to ten bank or brokerage accounts.
• Business Owners Will — up to five shareholdings in UAE companies.
• Guardianship Will — guardianship of minors only, no property provisions; the narrowest and usually the cheapest type.

Sources disagree on the exact figures, as expected, because the DIFC Courts fee schedule is updated from time to time. The official DIFC Courts FAQ spells out only the related fixed amounts: modifying any DIFC will costs AED 550 per document, revocation is AED 1,000 (non-refundable), and processing a refund costs AED 200; DIFC Courts fees themselves aren't subject to VAT. For the exact current fee by will type, check the DIFC Wills Service Centre portal or the lawyer handling your registration. The step-by-step registration process — documents, witnesses, signing — sits in our separate guide, DIFC will registration.

A married couple needs two separate documents (mirror wills) — DIFC doesn't treat this as one joint will. How the pair is priced at the time you apply is best confirmed on the portal; the official FAQ quotes fees like the AED 550 modification charge per will, not per couple.

ADJD in Abu Dhabi: Cheaper and Recognised Everywhere

If you don't hold assets specifically in Dubai or Ras Al Khaimah — say your property or accounts are in Abu Dhabi — or you simply want a cheaper option not tied to one emirate, the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department (ADJD) runs a non-Muslim wills registry. The court fee is about AED 950 for a single will and about AED 1,900 for a mirror pair for spouses. Residency isn't required, and the process runs through an online application followed by a video call with a notary — no in-person visit.

The key difference from DIFC is reach: an ADJD will is recognised by courts in all seven emirates, not just where it's registered. That makes it the more practical choice when your assets are spread across the country rather than concentrated in Dubai.

Dubai Courts: A Notarised Will in Arabic

The third and least common route for expats is a standard notarised will (wasiyya) through the notary departments of the Dubai Courts, run under the regular local civil procedure rather than a dedicated common-law registry for non-Muslims. The document is drawn up in Arabic (or bilingually, with a certified translation required), which for most foreigners means an extra step and a separate translator's fee on top of the notary charge. No single price list exists for this route — unlike DIFC and ADJD, where at least indicative figures are published and discussed by law firms. If you're weighing it, confirm the fee directly with the specific notary department or the lawyer handling your case, and expect the number to shift with the length of the document and whether translation is needed. What heirs face after a death under each route is compared in Dubai Courts will vs DIFC will.

Price Comparison Table

*Sources on DIFC pricing disagree — the fee schedule is updated periodically, so check the DIFC Wills Service Centre portal for the current rate.

Which Option Fits Your Situation

• You only have property in Dubai or Ras Al Khaimah. A DIFC Property Will is usually cheaper than a Full Will and covers exactly this — paying for the full document makes little sense with no other asset types.
• You want everything covered at once (property + accounts + business shares + guardianship). A DIFC Full Will handles every asset type plus guardianship in one document, instead of stacking several narrow wills.
• Your assets are spread across emirates, not just Dubai (say, Abu Dhabi too). ADJD is worth considering — it's recognised in all seven emirates, while DIFC is built around Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah.
• Your main priority is guardianship of your children, not property. A DIFC Guardianship Will is the narrowest and usually cheapest option, and it solves exactly that risk without paying for property coverage you don't need.
• You're not a UAE resident, but you own an asset (say, an apartment) in Dubai. Neither DIFC nor ADJD requires residency — you can register a will while living in another country.

Which option ends up cheaper and more solid for your case depends on the assets you hold, your nationality, and your family situation — there's honestly no single answer that fits everyone. This is one of those moments where a 20–30 minute consultation with a lawyer saves far more time later than it costs now.

Topic: UAE Inheritance & Wills for Non-Muslims 2026

This material is for information only and is not legal advice. UAE law changes — a lawyer will assess how it applies to your situation.