Non-Muslim Expats Can Now Register a Will in Dubai Courts

For a long time a down-side of living in Dubai has been that non-Muslim expats weren’t able to register a will in Dubai. This is changing however: on Tuesday, October 31st, Sheikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum issued Law number 15 which clarifies and amends existing laws about English wills for non-Muslim residents.

Non-Muslim expats can now write English wills under internationally recognised common law that will be valid in the country.

In an official statement they said: "The law, which is applicable to the wills and assets of non-Muslims based in Dubai, including the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), creates a clear legal framework for non-Muslims to create wills according to their wishes. It also outlines clear legal procedures that will encourage residents to register their wills and manage their assets in Dubai, thereby creating increased confidence in Dubai's investment landscape."

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For a non-Muslim to apply for a will, it is best to work through a lawyer so that the will can be drafted according to the expatriates' national laws. After the draft has been completed, it will need to be notarized by the expats embassy and finally attested at the UAE's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Registering an English will in Dubai are, however, going to cost expats a pretty penny. "Wills may also be written in English by duly licensed legal consultants registered with the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) Wills and Probate Registry. This may cost between Dh2,500 and Dh5,000 for a single will and from Dh4,000 to Dh10,000 for mirror wills," according to Gulf News.

Even though expensive, we’re sure a lot of expats are going to sleep soundly from now on knowing that they can register their wills and manage their assets in Dubai.