How Much Does a UAE Will Actually Cost?
A transparent breakdown of registration fees, drafting fees and ongoing costs.
Costs for a UAE will fall into two buckets: drafting (preparing the document so it reflects your wishes and meets local requirements) and registration (filing it with the DIFC Wills Service Centre or the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department). Sànset's flat fee covers both, with no surprises later.
Registration fees
Registration fees are set by the relevant authority. A DIFC Will is registered for an official fee of several thousand dirhams, with the total package - including drafting - typically starting around AED 10,000 for a single full will and AED 15,000 for a mirror will for couples. An ADJD Will carries a much lower official registration fee of approximately AED 950, which is why the all-in ADJD package is significantly more affordable.
Drafting and review
Drafting covers the work of turning your situation - family, assets, guardianship and specific wishes - into a clear, enforceable document. Good drafting also flags issues you may not have considered: blended-family dynamics, mortgaged property, business shares with co-founder restrictions, or assets held overseas. Cheaper template-based drafting often misses these and costs the family more later.
Add-ons and variants
Both frameworks offer narrower variants for specific needs. The DIFC has a dedicated Guardianship Will and a Property Will, each priced lower than a full will. ADJD allows simplified documents for straightforward estates. If your situation is genuinely simple, these can be a smart way to control cost.
What you do not pay
There are no annual fees. Once registered, your will stays in force until you update or revoke it. You will pay again if you make a material change - new spouse, new property, new business - but routine refreshes are usually inexpensive. Compared with the cost of an unresolved estate, even the premium options pay for themselves many times over.