FAMILY / INTENTIONS / CONTINUITY
Will Drafting & Registration Support in the UAE
Make time for the decisions that matter to your family. STF helps organise your instructions, prepare your will and assess the registration route appropriate to your personal circumstances.
01 / THE OVERVIEW
Clarity from the start.
A will should reflect your family, assets and intentions with precision. It can address the people you want to benefit, the person who administers your estate and, where applicable, guardianship wishes. The relevant legal framework and registration route must be considered before drafting; a document that looks complete is not automatically suitable for every person or every asset.
02 / YOUR OPTIONS
Explore every detail.
01 / SERVICE
Personalised Will Drafting
Good drafting begins with a structured conversation. We help turn your intentions into a coherent set of instructions, with attention to practical questions your family may otherwise face later.
• Record beneficiaries and intended distributions, including substitute arrangements.
• Identify executors and discuss the responsibilities you want them to undertake.
• Consider minor children and guardianship instructions where applicable.
• Review the assets and interests intended to be covered and any exclusions.
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU
A draft for your review, prepared around your instructions and the relevant registration framework.
02 / SERVICE
DIFC Courts Wills
DIFC Courts offers a wills framework for eligible non-Muslims. The appropriate form of will depends on what it needs to address, including assets and guardianship arrangements.
• Assess eligibility and the type of will appropriate to the intended scope.
• Organise identification, beneficiary, executor and guardian details.
• Review the draft against the relevant registration requirements.
• Coordinate the registration preparation and appointment arrangements.
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU
An explained drafting and registration plan. Eligibility, scope, execution and appointment requirements are confirmed before submission.
03 / SERVICE
Abu Dhabi Judicial Department Wills
An ADJD route may be relevant depending on the person’s circumstances and the applicable civil-wills requirements. We begin with an eligibility and document review rather than assuming the same route fits every client.
• Review nationality, personal circumstances and the intended asset coverage.
• Identify the appropriate ADJD service and supporting documents.
• Coordinate drafting, translation and registration preparation as applicable.
• Explain what the registration step involves and what remains for future estate administration.
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU
A route-specific checklist and support with the formalities relevant to the chosen service.
04 / SERVICE
Dubai Courts & Other Applicable Routes
Nationality, religion, family circumstances and the intended dispositions may affect the applicable requirements. Where a Dubai Courts or other notarial route is being considered, it should be assessed on its own terms.
• Identify the applicable framework before confirming the drafting approach.
• Review the language, execution and supporting-document requirements.
• Explain how the proposed will interacts with your existing arrangements.
• Confirm the relevant professional, notary or authority requirements.
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU
An informed route choice rather than a one-size-fits-all registration promise.
05 / SERVICE
Will Review & Updates
Life changes can leave an old will out of step with your intentions. A review is useful after marriage, divorce, a new child, a significant asset change or a change in an appointed person’s circumstances.
• Compare the existing wording with your current wishes.
• Check beneficiaries, executors, guardians and substitute appointments.
• Consider how a UAE will and any overseas will interact.
• Discuss the correct amendment, replacement and registration steps.
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU
A documented list of updates and a plan to implement them through the appropriate formalities.
03 / PREPARE
Your starting checklist.
The exact document list is confirmed for your circumstances. This checklist helps you prepare for the first discussion.
• Passport, Emirates ID where applicable, and current contact information.
• A family summary, including marital status and children’s details.
• Names and identification details for beneficiaries, executors and proposed guardians.
• An asset overview covering relevant property, bank accounts, business interests and other assets.
• Copies of existing UAE or overseas wills and related estate-planning documents.
• Your intended distributions, substitute arrangements and questions about registration.
04 / HOW IT WORKS
A clear path forward.
01 / STEP
Understand your wishes
Discuss your family, assets, priorities and existing arrangements in a structured consultation.
02 / STEP
Choose the route
Assess the relevant eligibility and registration requirements before settling the drafting approach.
03 / STEP
Draft and review
Prepare the document, explain the main provisions and review corrections with you.
04 / STEP
Complete registration
Coordinate the relevant signing, witnesses, identification and authority formalities.
05 / STEP
Keep it current
Store the registered document and review it when your family or asset position changes.
05 / PLAN AHEAD
Costs. Timing. Expectations.
Agree the scope and understand the full picture before proceeding.
• Drafting and registration coordination should be separated from authority charges in the quotation.
• Cost depends on the route, single or paired wills, scope, language and complexity.
• Translation, amendments and any later registration steps may carry additional charges.
• Appointment availability and document readiness affect timing. No document is described as registered until the authority process is completed.
06 / ANSWERS
Know before you begin.
Does marriage mean my spouse automatically receives everything?
Do not assume that your estate will be distributed exactly as you intend without reviewing the applicable law and arrangements. A consultation should assess your circumstances and the wishes you want documented.
Can I name guardians for my children?
Guardianship wishes can be addressed where the relevant framework permits. The wording, suitability of the proposed appointees and any required substitute arrangements should be discussed during drafting.
Can one will cover my UAE and overseas assets?
That requires a review of the intended scope and the laws of the relevant countries. A new will must be coordinated carefully with any existing overseas will to avoid unintended revocation or conflict.
Do spouses need separate wills?
Each person’s wishes and assets should be considered individually. Where paired or mirror arrangements are appropriate, each document still needs proper preparation and execution.
Does registration immediately transfer my assets?
No. A will is part of estate planning. Estate administration and any required probate or other authority process arise separately after death.
Can you guarantee a particular registration route before reviewing my details?
No. Personal circumstances and the current authority requirements need to be checked first. We explain the suitable options and the scope of support before proceeding.
07 / LET’S TALK
Discuss your will arrangements
Tell us about your situation and the outcome you are looking for. We will confirm the relevant scope and next steps.
Please share a brief outline here. Supporting identity or sensitive case documents can be requested through an agreed channel.
STF CONSULTANCY
Legal. Corporate. Real Estate.
General service information. Your circumstances, the agreed engagement and the relevant authority’s current requirements determine the applicable advice and process.