DIFC Will vs. ADJD Will: Which is Right for You?

If you're a non-Muslim expat in the UAE, you have two main routes to register a will that bypasses the default Sharia distribution: the DIFC Wills Service Centre (DIFC Will) and the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department non-Muslim wills register (ADJD Will). Both are legally valid across the Emirates, but they differ sharply on cost, process, language and asset coverage.

Cost

Cost is the most visible difference. A DIFC Will currently costs from AED 10,000 for a single full will (and around AED 15,000 for a mirror will for couples), plus optional add-ons for guardianship-only or property-only variants. An ADJD Will, by contrast, is registered for an official fee of approximately AED 950 - a fraction of the DIFC price. For families on a budget, ADJD is significantly more accessible; for complex estates with trusts or international structures, the DIFC framework often justifies its premium.

Registration process

DIFC Wills are registered in person (or by video witnessing) at the DIFC Wills Service Centre in Dubai or Ras Al Khaimah, in English, under a common-law framework administered by DIFC Courts. ADJD Wills are registered with the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department, typically as a bilingual Arabic/English document, and can be completed remotely through approved legal service providers. Both require a valid Emirates ID and supporting documents for assets and beneficiaries.

Asset coverage

Coverage is broadly similar but with important nuances. A DIFC Will can cover movable and immovable assets located anywhere in the UAE, and is widely accepted by Dubai Land Department, free zone registrars and UAE banks. An ADJD Will covers UAE-situated assets and is accepted across all seven Emirates, including Dubai real estate, bank accounts, vehicles, business shares and end-of-service entitlements. Overseas assets should be covered by a separate will in that jurisdiction regardless of which UAE option you choose.

Guardianship

Guardianship of minor children can be appointed in either will. The DIFC offers a dedicated Guardianship Will at a lower price point if guardianship is your only concern; ADJD includes guardianship clauses within the standard will at no extra cost.

Which should you choose

As a rule of thumb: pick a DIFC Will if you want common-law drafting, English-only documentation, complex trust structures or you simply prefer the DIFC Courts forum. Pick an ADJD Will if cost matters, you live in Abu Dhabi, or your estate is straightforward - a home, savings, an end-of-service gratuity and clear beneficiaries. Both produce a registered, enforceable will that overrides default inheritance rules. Sànset can register either - start the questionnaire and we will recommend the right fit.