ADGM vs ADJD Wills: Which Abu Dhabi Court Is Right for You?
Both the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) Courts and the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department (ADJD) Civil Family Court let resident expatriates register a will covering their UAE assets. They differ on who is eligible, the government registration fee, and how you sign. Below is a neutral, side-by-side comparison to help you decide.
ADGM vs ADJD at a Glance
Who can register
ADGM
Non-Muslims (you must never have been a Muslim).
ADJD
Resident expatriates regardless of religion — ADJD's civil will route serves non-Muslim residents, and recent updates extend it to non-Emirati Muslim residents. Not available to UAE/GCC nationals.
Government fee
Pass-through — paid directly to the court, not part of our service fee.
ADGM
approx. AED 1,520
ADJD
AED 950 (single) / AED 1,900 (mirror wills for couples)
Our platform fee
Same for both courts
From AED 950 to AED 1,500 depending on will type — includes certified Arabic translation.
Signing process
ADGM
Virtual notary appointment; wet-ink signature on every page.
ADJD
Fully remote: file via the ADJD portal, then confirm your will in a video-call notarization appointment.
Where it applies
ADGM
Registered with the ADGM Courts (Abu Dhabi); recognised across the UAE.
ADJD
Registered with the Abu Dhabi Civil Family Court; recognised across the UAE.
Assets covered
ADGM
Per the ADGM template you choose.
ADJD
UAE-situated assets only — the official ADJD form covers property 'situated or arising in the United Arab Emirates only' and revokes prior UAE wills only.
Guardianship of minor children
ADGM
Separate guardianship template (or combined estate + guardianship).
ADJD
Included as an optional section of the single official form.
Document
ADGM
Official ADGM Registry templates, bilingual English/Arabic.
ADJD
Official ADJD civil will form (Form ADJD-NM0723-07-03), bilingual English/Arabic.
Government fees are set by the courts and paid directly to them; figures shown are current published fees and may change.
Which Should I Choose?
Choose ADJD if you were ever Muslim, or if you want the lower government registration fee and a fully-remote process you can complete without an in-person court visit.
Choose ADGM if you are a never-Muslim expatriate who prefers the ADGM Courts framework, with a virtual notary appointment and a wet-ink signature on every page.
We prepare wills for both courts, so you are not locked in — the final choice is yours. EasyWills is a self-service document-preparation tool, not a law firm, and does not provide legal advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which court should I choose — ADGM or ADJD?
It depends on your circumstances. Consider ADJD if you were ever Muslim, or if you prefer the lower government fee and a fully-remote process. Consider ADGM if you are a never-Muslim expatriate who prefers the ADGM Courts framework. We prepare wills for both courts, and the final choice is yours.
What does an ADJD will cost?
Two separate amounts. Our platform fee runs from AED 950 to AED 1,500 depending on will type and includes certified Arabic translation. Separately, the ADJD government registration fee of AED 950 for a single will (AED 1,900 for mirror wills) is paid directly to the court. The two are billed and paid separately.
Is an ADJD will really fully remote?
Yes. You file your will through the ADJD portal and then confirm it in a video-call notarization appointment, so no in-person court visit is required.
Can Muslims register an ADJD will?
ADJD's civil will route serves non-Muslim residents, and recent updates extend it to non-Emirati Muslim residents. It is not available to UAE or GCC nationals. If you were ever Muslim, the ADJD civil route is generally the applicable option rather than ADGM.
Does an ADJD will cover assets outside the UAE?
No. The official ADJD form covers property situated or arising in the United Arab Emirates only, and revokes prior UAE wills only. For assets held abroad you would need separate arrangements in the relevant country.
Does an ADJD will cover guardianship of my children?
Yes. Guardianship is included as an optional section of the single official ADJD form, so you can appoint guardians for your minor children in the same document.
When can I create an ADJD will on EasyWills?
ADJD wills are coming soon. Join the waitlist and we'll email you the moment it's ready.
Ready When You Are
ADJD wills are coming soon on EasyWills. Join the waitlist and we'll email you the moment it's ready — with certified Arabic translation included.