Wills in the United Arab Emirates are generally governed by Federal Law No. 5/1985 Promulgating the Civil Transactions Law of the United Arab Emirates State and Federal Law No. 28/2005 on Personal Status.

In May 2017, the establishment of an independent Wills Registry in Abu-Dhabi Judicial Department for the registration and notarisation of Wills of non-Muslims (the ADJD Wills Registry) was announced by His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Presidential Affairs and Chairman of Abu Dhabi Judicial Department.

While notarisation of non-Muslim Wills was previously undertaken via notary public, the ADJD Wills Registry is specifically established to facilitate registration and notarisation services of non-Muslim Wills with the Notary Public.

This Practice Note discusses the requirements and procedures for registering a non-Muslim Will with the ADJD Wills Registry.

ADJD Wills Registry: Abu Dhabi Judicial Department Wills Registry.

ADJD: Abu Dhabi Judicial Department.

Estate: The property and financial rights a decedent leaves behind after their demise, as per article 274 of Federal Law No. 28/2005 on Personal Status.