DIFC Wills Cost Calculator
Cost to register a will at the DIFC Wills Service Centre — the only UAE registry where non-Muslims can choose common-law inheritance rules instead of Sharia.
Cost breakdown
- DIFC registrationAED 10,000
- Drafting lawyerAED 5,000
If you don't register:
Without a DIFC-registered will, non-Muslim expat estates default to Sharia distribution: spouse receives 1/8 (with children), sons receive twice daughters' shares.
How to use
- 1
Pick single (one person) or mirror (married couple, two wills covering the same estate).
- 2
Choose the scope — full global, UAE property only, or specific asset classes.
- 3
Drafting lawyer fee is the biggest variable: DIY (low cost, more legal risk) vs full lawyer drafting (high cost, peace of mind for complex estates).
- 4
The total is what you pay once. The DIFC registration is permanent until amended; amendments are AED 550 each.
Frequently asked questions
UAE courts default to Sharia inheritance for all residents unless a registered DIFC will is presented. Under Sharia: spouse gets 1/8 (with children), sons receive twice daughters' shares, and assets transfer to siblings/parents in fixed proportions you can't override. A DIFC will lets non-Muslims override all of that under English common law — you decide who inherits.
Any non-Muslim expat aged 21+ with UAE assets. You don't need to be a UAE resident. Muslims cannot use DIFC Wills — Sharia inheritance is mandatory for Muslims in UAE.
UAE property, UAE bank accounts, UAE-incorporated businesses, UAE-registered vehicles, and guardianship of minor children resident in UAE. A 'Full will' option also covers worldwide assets, though distribution of foreign-jurisdiction assets may still be governed by that country's law.
DIFC accepts both. The Wills Service Centre provides standard templates for simple cases. For estates over AED 500k, blended families, business interests, or guardianship arrangements, a DIFC-listed lawyer is strongly recommended — small drafting errors can invalidate clauses.
End-of-service gratuity is governed by your employment contract and UAE Labour Law — not your will. On death, employers pay gratuity to the nominated beneficiary listed in your HR file (or to the estate if no nomination). Make sure your HR nomination matches your will intentions.
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Source: DIFC Wills Service Centre fee schedule · Last verified 2026-06. DIFC Wills. This tool provides estimates only and is not legal, tax or financial advice. Always verify your specific situation with the relevant UAE authority or a licensed advisor before taking action.