Planning for the future through a will is essential for anyone living in Dubai, especially expatriates who wish to secure their assets and provide clear instructions for their inheritance. Dubai’s unique legal framework recognizes several types of wills, offering options that cater to various personal and religious preferences. Understanding these different types can help you select the right will for your needs. Also, it’s advisable to consider the cost of making will in Dubai, as each type may incur different fees depending on registration and legal requirements.
Single will:
A single will is a straightforward, individual will typically drafted for non-Muslims who wish to specify how their assets should be distributed. It covers personal assets, properties, and belongings in Dubai and can also include guardianship provisions for children. Non-Muslim expatriates often register single wills with the DIFC Wills Service Centre to bypass Sharia-based inheritance rules and ensure assets are distributed according to their preferences. Fees for registration and drafting vary based on the complexity of the assets.
Mirror will:
A mirror will is commonly used by married couples, particularly non-Muslims, who want identical provisions in their wills. Essentially, a mirror will allows each spouse to leave their assets to the other, with the same beneficiaries listed for both. This type of will is popular for its simplicity and is often more affordable than drafting two separate wills. Mirror wills can also include guardianship clauses for minor children, providing both parents with a unified plan for asset and custody distribution.
Guardianship will:
This will focuses exclusively on appointing legal guardians for minor children in the event of the parents’ passing. Non-Muslim parents in Dubai often choose this type of will to ensure that their children are cared for according to their wishes, rather than following local default guardianship practices under Sharia law. Registering a guardianship will through the DIFC Wills Service Centre helps ensure that parents’ wishes are legally upheld.
Property will:
For expatriates who own property in Dubai but want a simple approach, a property will allows them to specify the distribution of real estate assets within the UAE. This type of will applies only to properties owned by the individual, making it a focused solution for asset protection without dealing with other assets like bank accounts or investments.
Financial asset will:
A financial asset will is designed to cover monetary assets, including bank accounts, investments, stocks, and other financial resources. It is ideal for those who wish to specifically allocate their financial assets without addressing real estate or guardianship. This streamlined approach is especially beneficial for individuals with extensive investments in Dubai.
