ADGM wills guide
ADGM wills for UAE expats
If you are a UAE expat with assets in the UAE, an ADGM will may be one route to consider for recording asset-distribution wishes and, where applicable, guardianship wishes for minor children.
Key distinction
EasyWills prepares. You register with the court.
EasyWills is a self-help document-preparation service, not a law firm. We do not provide legal advice and do not submit, sign, notarise or register your will for you.
Who can use the ADGM wills route?
Based on source material reviewed by EasyWills, the ADGM wills service is relevant to non-Muslim individuals aged 21 or over who own assets in the UAE. This is informational only and is not a legal determination.
What can an ADGM will cover?
UAE assets
ADGM source material reviewed by EasyWills says the Notary Public can notarise a will if the assets are located within the UAE, including outside Abu Dhabi.
Guardianship wishes
Where applicable, ADGM will criteria include appointment of guardians. This is process information, not a guarantee of any guardianship outcome.
Foreign assets
ADGM source material reviewed by EasyWills refers to assets outside the UAE, but probate for foreign assets remains in the relevant jurisdiction. Ask a lawyer about cross-border planning.
How the ADGM process works
EasyWills helps with document preparation and court-registration guidance. You deal directly with ADGM for submission, signing or execution as required, court fee payment and the appointment.
- 1
Check route fit
Use informational route-fit guidance to see whether ADGM may be relevant.
- 2
Prepare the document
EasyWills provides guided self-help document preparation based on your answers.
- 3
Arrange translation requirements
EasyWills offer wording is Arabic translation included; ADGM route requirements should be checked before relying on them.
- 4
Submit through ADGM process
You submit directly through the relevant ADGM court process.
- 5
Pay court fees and attend appointment
You pay ADGM court/government fees directly and attend the appointment yourself.
- 6
Complete signing and notarisation steps
You follow ADGM signing, execution, notarisation and registration requirements directly.
What does an ADGM will cost?
Keep EasyWills platform fees separate from ADGM court/government fees.
- EasyWills platform fee
- AED 950–AED 1,500, depending on will type. Includes guided document preparation, Arabic translation and court-registration guidance.
- ADGM court/government fees
- Approximately AED 1,520, separate from EasyWills platform fees and paid directly to ADGM as instructed. Court fees can change.
ADGM vs ADJD vs DIFC
ADGM is one UAE wills route, not the default answer for every expat. The right comparison depends on eligibility, process, fees, asset scope and personal circumstances.
ADGM
Focus of this page. Generally relevant for non-Muslim individuals aged 21+ with UAE assets who want to assess the ADGM route.
ADJD
A separate Abu Dhabi civil wills route. Compare it if you are unsure whether ADGM fits, or if ADGM may not be the relevant route for your circumstances.
DIFC
A separate route with its own Wills Service and fee schedule. Keep DIFC process, fees and scope separate from ADGM.
When should you speak to a UAE lawyer?
A self-help document-preparation service may not be the right fit for every situation.
- Complex estate
- Assets in multiple jurisdictions
- Business ownership
- Blended-family or dispute risks
- Muslim or mixed-religion questions
- Tax or domicile uncertainty
Check whether ADGM may fit your circumstances
Start with route-fit questions, compare ADGM and ADJD if needed, and join early access from the eligibility flow when prompted. The eligibility checker is informational only.
ADGM wills for UAE expats FAQs
Is ADGM available to all UAE expats?
No. Based on ADGM source material reviewed by EasyWills, the ADGM wills service is for non-Muslim individuals aged 21 or over who own assets in the UAE. Eligibility content is informational only and is not a legal determination.
Can an ADGM will cover Dubai property or assets outside Abu Dhabi?
ADGM source material reviewed by EasyWills states that the Notary Public can notarise a will if the assets are located within the UAE, including outside Abu Dhabi. Get legal advice if you are unsure how this applies to your assets.
Does EasyWills register, submit or notarise my ADGM will for me?
No. EasyWills helps prepare your ADGM-route will document and provides court-registration guidance. You submit, sign or execute as required, pay court fees, and attend directly with ADGM.
How much are ADGM court or government fees?
EasyWills records an approximate ADGM registration/notarisation fee of AED 1,520, separate from EasyWills platform fees and paid directly to ADGM. Court fees can change and should be checked against ADGM’s current fee page before relying on the figure.
Do I need a lawyer for an ADGM will?
Some straightforward users may prefer self-help document preparation. Speak to a licensed UAE lawyer if you need advice about your circumstances or have a complex estate, foreign assets, business ownership, blended-family issues, dispute risks, tax questions, domicile uncertainty or religion-related questions.