Question 1

How is WillReady different from other online will services in the UAE?

Accepted Answer

Four things. Your document is generated instantly, English and Arabic together, on the court's own template (Form ADJD-NM0723-07-03), so there is no waiting days for a draft or a week for the translation. You read every clause in full before paying anything. Every will is then reviewed by an experienced lawyer, with their confirmation or comments within two business days. And we file your application on the ADJD portal for you, included in the price: you approve the login on your UAE Pass app and we do the rest. The court fee is the same everywhere and you pay it directly to ADJD; we've published a side-by-side comparison of the online services in our guides.

Question 2

Is my will reviewed by a lawyer?

Accepted Answer

Yes. After you pay and confirm the Arabic names, your final document goes to our reviewing lawyer — an experienced lawyer with UAE experience — and you receive their confirmation or comments by email within two business days, before we file it with ADJD. Any change you make as a result is free. The review checks the document itself; it isn't personalised legal advice on your estate, and if the reviewer thinks your situation needs advice, we'll tell you so.

Question 3

Is an ADJD will valid outside Abu Dhabi?

Accepted Answer

Yes. A will registered with the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department is recognised across all seven emirates, including Dubai, Sharjah and the other Northern Emirates — you don't need a separate will in each emirate.

Question 4

Can Muslim expats register a civil will?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The Abu Dhabi Judicial Department states that regardless of religion, non-UAE citizens may register a will with the Abu Dhabi Civil Wills Office. This lets Muslim expats choose a civil framework instead of default Sharia distribution for their UAE estate.

Question 5

Should my spouse and I make mirror wills?

Accepted Answer

For most couples, yes. Mirror wills create a closed loop of protection: if anything happens to the husband, everything goes to the wife, then to the children; if anything happens to the wife, everything goes to the husband, then to the children. A single will only covers one of you, so the other spouse's UAE assets would fall under the default rules.

Question 6

Can GCC nationals use this service?

Accepted Answer

No. This civil wills route is only open to non-UAE, non-GCC-national expats. UAE and GCC citizens are not eligible and remain subject to their own countries' succession rules.

Question 7

What is a civil (non-Sharia) will?

Accepted Answer

A civil will lets you distribute your UAE estate according to your own wishes — naming specific beneficiaries and percentage shares — rather than the fixed shares set out under Sharia-based statutory succession. You elect this civil framework as part of registering your will.

Question 8

What happens if I die in the UAE without a registered will?

Accepted Answer

Your UAE bank accounts are frozen until inheritance proceedings conclude, your estate is distributed under fixed statutory rules rather than your own wishes, and the court — not you — decides who becomes your children's guardian. Since 1 January 2026, under Federal Decree-Law No. 51 of 2024, assets with no identifiable heirs can even be transferred to a state-managed charitable endowment.

Question 9

Do I need to list every individual asset?

Accepted Answer

No. Your will names your beneficiaries, the percentage shares they receive, your executor and (if relevant) your children's guardians — it doesn't require you to itemise every bank account or possession. You can also name specific gifts for particular items if you want to.

Question 10

Does this will cover assets I own outside the UAE?

Accepted Answer

No — this will covers your UAE assets only, registered under UAE civil law. Assets held abroad are typically governed by a will made under the laws of that country, so most clients keep a separate arrangement for assets outside the UAE.

Question 11

What is an executor and trustee?

Accepted Answer

The executor and trustee is the person you appoint to manage your affairs after you pass away — collecting assets, paying any debts, and distributing the inheritance according to your will. Where children under 21 are due to inherit, this person also manages those funds on the child's behalf until they turn 21.

Question 12

Who can be a guardian for my children?

Accepted Answer

Anyone you choose and trust — there's no formal eligibility test beyond being an adult. The form distinguishes a temporary (interim) guardian, who steps in immediately and is usually expected to be UAE-based, from a permanent guardian appointed by the court afterwards; you can name backups for both.

Question 13

How long does the whole process take?

Accepted Answer

Creating your will online usually takes about 15–25 minutes, and you get your bilingual PDF instantly. The lawyer review takes up to two business days, and then we file your application with ADJD for you. Court review and the notarisation appointment usually take one to three weeks, depending on ADJD's caseload.

Question 14

What's the total cost, including the court?

Accepted Answer

Our fee is AED 1,299 for a single will (AED 2,199 for a couple's mirror wills), plus the ADJD court registration fee of AED 950 (AED 1,900 for couples), which you pay directly to the court — we never collect it. All-in, that's AED 2,249 for one will or AED 4,099 for a couple.

Question 15

Do I need a lawyer?

Accepted Answer

No. WillReady prepares your will on the court's own official form, our reviewing lawyer checks it, and we file the application with ADJD for you. You don't need to engage your own lawyer.

Question 16

Do I need to visit a court in person?

Accepted Answer

No. After we file your will through the ADJD portal, an ADJD notary verifies your identity and attests your will over a short video call. There's no need to physically visit a courthouse.

Question 17

Do you submit the will to the court for me?

Accepted Answer

Yes, it's included in the price. Once our reviewing lawyer has confirmed your will, you print it, sign every page and send us a scan with copies of your passport, Emirates ID and residence visa. We agree a time, you approve the ADJD login request on your UAE Pass app, and we complete and submit the application for you. We also book your video-call appointment. You pay the AED 950 court fee directly to the court and attend the short video call yourself. If you prefer to file it yourself, we give you a personal guide with every field ready to copy.

Question 18

Can you fill in the will for me?

Accepted Answer

Yes, at no extra cost. Message us on WhatsApp and we send you a short list of questions: who inherits and in what shares, your executor, guardians for your children, and photos of the passports and Emirates IDs. We fill in your will from your answers and send you the link to read it in full. You only pay once you have read your complete will and are happy with it.

Question 19

What is UAE Pass, and do I need one?

Accepted Answer

UAE Pass is the UAE government's official digital identity, used to log into the ADJD portal. You need your own UAE Pass so you can approve the login when we file your will. You never share your PIN: you only tap approve on your phone. If you don't have one yet, it's free to set up and we'll help you on WhatsApp.

Question 20

Can I update my will later?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Life circumstances change, and we offer free revisions to your will before it's registered with the court. If you need to change a will after it's registered, that typically means registering an updated will with ADJD.

Question 21

What if I move out of the UAE?

Accepted Answer

Your UAE will remains valid for your UAE-based assets even if you relocate. If your circumstances change significantly — a new country of residence, a new marriage, more children — it's worth reviewing whether your will still reflects your wishes.

Question 22

Is my data secure?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Your information is stored securely and used only to prepare your will and file your ADJD application — we don't sell or share your personal data with third parties.

Question 23

Do you provide legal advice?

Accepted Answer

No. We prepare your documents and file your application with the court; we don't give legal advice on your specific situation. For complex circumstances, we'd recommend speaking with a qualified lawyer.

	ADJD will via WillReady AED 1,299 + AED 950 court fee	ADJD form on your own Free + AED 950 court fee	DIFC Courts will From AED 10,000	Notary public will AED 8,000+, lawyer required
Registered with an onshore UAE court
100% online with instant PDF
Non-Sharia civil framework
Arabic translation included
Guardianship for children
Automatic error checks
Court application filed for you
Reviewed by an experienced lawyer
Guided support in Arabic and English
Free revisions

Your UAE will, ready in 20 minutes

Why every UAE expat needs a registered will

Your assets may end up with the state

Bank accounts are frozen immediately

Inheritance follows fixed legal rules, not your wishes

Guardianship of your children is decided by the court

Property and shared assets get stuck

Foreign wills are usually not enough

Muslim expats can register a civil will too

Three steps to create and register your will

Create it online

Lawyer review, then we file it

Online notarisation

Built on the court's own form

Flexible inheritance

Backup beneficiaries

Guardianship

Arabic included

Automatic checks

Lawyer-reviewed

Compare your options in the UAE

Simple, transparent pricing

Single will

Couples (mirror wills)

Frequently asked questions

Ready to protect your family's future?