A registered will does not move any assets by itself. After the death, the executor takes the will back to the court system that registered it. For a will held by the DIFC Courts Wills Registry, the executor applies to the DIFC Courts for a Grant of Probate, which is then converted into a Dubai Courts order so that banks and the land department can act; as of October 2026, the DIFC Courts list the fee as USD 1,500. An Abu Dhabi civil will is executed through the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department (ADJD), and a will notarised at Dubai Courts goes to its non-Muslim inheritance division.
Who this guide is for
This guide is for executors, guardians and families of a non-Muslim who left a will registered in the UAE. It does not compare the registration routes; see registering a will in the UAE. If there is no will, read non-Muslim inheritance without a will. It does not cover Muslim estates or assets abroad.
Which court deals with the will?
| Where the will was registered | Who applies | Where | What the court issues |
|---|---|---|---|
| DIFC Courts Wills Registry | The executor, or a lawyer the executor instructs | DIFC Courts Registry | A Grant of Probate and, if needed, a Guardianship Order, then converted into a Dubai Courts judgment |
| Abu Dhabi civil wills register | The executor | ADJD, Abu Dhabi Civil Family Court | The will stamped with the executive wording, or an order distributing the estate under it |
| Dubai Courts (non-Muslim will notarised there) | An heir or the executor | Dubai Courts non-Muslim inheritance division | A decision opening the inheritance file and executing the will |
Dubai Courts said in July 2023 that it will not open a probate file for a will issued or authenticated by the DIFC Courts, because those courts deal with it.
How does DIFC Courts probate work?
Starting. The DIFC Courts say the executor should send a copy of the death certificate to probate@difccourts.ae and will then be guided through probate. The application is filed with the Registry in the prescribed form, with the fee. The DIFC Courts publish templates for the application, witness statements, a list of assets and a guardianship order.
Who runs it. The executors named in the will, who need not live in the UAE. An executor can instruct a lawyer, and the grant is then issued to that lawyer for the executor's benefit. The Registry assigns a Case Progression Officer as the single point of contact.
Timing and fee. The DIFC Courts' FAQ says a grant is normally issued within a few weeks in a straightforward case, once the executor's documents are in, and that the fee does not change with the estate's value. Claims and objections are dealt with first by the DIFC Courts.
Reaching the assets. The Grant of Probate, or Guardianship Order, is converted into a Dubai Courts judgment. The executor then deals with the Dubai Courts Execution Department, which instructs the Dubai Land Department, free zone authorities and financial institutions to distribute the estate as the will says. The DIFC Courts note that Dubai Land Department transfer fees of 0.125% to 4% of the property's value apply, depending on the beneficiary's relationship to the deceased.
Children. A Full Will or Guardianship Will can name interim guardians, who care for children temporarily, and permanent guardians. The DIFC Courts say this applies only if the children live in Dubai or Ras Al Khaimah at the time of probate.
How is an Abu Dhabi civil will executed?
The ADJD's FAQ says the executor submits a request to the relevant office. After review and payment of the fee, the office affixes the executive wording stamp on the will, so execution can start. The court's "Inheritance Application for Expats" form also lets you ask it to distribute the estate under the registered will, or to appoint an administrator, which all heirs must attend to approve. All heirs aged 16 and over must attend the first session. The form lists 600 599 799 and CFC.casemanagement@adjd.gov.ae. We did not find a published fee for executing a will, so ask the court.
What about a will notarised at Dubai Courts?
In July 2023, Dubai Courts announced a division for non-Muslim inheritance and the execution of wills. To open a file based on a will, you submit an official document proving a will issued by Dubai Courts or another UAE court, other than the DIFC Courts. The division aims to decide a request in one session. A will not issued by a UAE court needs a lawsuit for its execution under Article 18 of Dubai Law No. 15 of 2017.
Dubai estate files now sit with the Dubai Courts Inheritance Court set up by Dubai Decree No. 25 of 2023. We could not open the Dubai Courts service pages in October 2026, so confirm the current service and fee with Dubai Courts.
What the federal rules say about executors
For wills under Federal Decree-Law No. 41 of 2022, Cabinet Resolution No. 122 of 2023 sets the executor's role; DIFC wills follow the DIFC Wills and Probate Registry Rules instead.
- Costs and debts first. Funeral and administration costs, executor fees and then debts are paid before the will is carried out (Article 25).
- Court supervision. A registered will is implemented by a court order (Article 36). The executor collects the assets, but selling or handing them over needs the court's written approval (Article 34).
- Deadlines. Creditors are invited to claim within 90 days of a notice in two local daily newspapers, one in English, and a beneficiary has 60 days from notification to accept or refuse (Articles 34 and 31).
What happens to bank accounts and property meanwhile?
Until a court order or grant exists, banks and registries normally keep the assets where they are; see bank accounts after a death. Property passes when the land department acts on the court's instruction, not when the family agrees. Template wills, such as a DIFC Property Will, cover only the assets listed. Anything left out may follow the default rules in non-Muslim inheritance without a will.
Not registered a will yet? A quick recap
The three main routes are the DIFC Courts Wills Service, the ADJD civil wills register and a non-Muslim will notarised at Dubai Courts. Each has its own eligibility rules and fees. See registering a will in the UAE.
Step by step
- Get the death certificate. Order several copies; attest and translate one if the death was abroad.
- Find the will. Check the registration certificate or ask each registry.
- Identify the executor and any guardians. Tell them, and check that they can act.
- Contact the right court. Email the DIFC Courts probate team, the ADJD Civil Family Court or Dubai Courts.
- List every asset. Include accounts, property, shares and vehicles, with numbers and title deeds.
- File and pay. Use the court's forms and keep the receipt and case number.
- Follow through enforcement. For a DIFC grant, convert it at Dubai Courts and work with the Execution Department.
- Keep accounts. Record what you collect, pay and hand over.
Documents checklist
- Death certificate, attested and legally translated if issued abroad
- The registered will, or its registration details
- Passport and Emirates ID copy of the person who died
- Executor's and heirs' passports or Emirates IDs
- Marriage certificate and children's birth certificates
- A list of assets and liabilities, with title deeds and account details
- Power of attorney, if a lawyer or relative acts for the executor
Common mistakes
- Going to the wrong court. Dubai Courts will not open a probate file for a DIFC Courts will.
- Assuming the grant pays out by itself. A DIFC grant must be converted at Dubai Courts first.
- Forgetting assets outside a template will. Template wills cover only the assets listed.
- Handing over assets early. Debts and costs come first, and handover needs the court's approval.
When to speak to a licensed lawyer
Speak to a licensed lawyer if heirs object to the will, if the estate has debts or a business, if there are assets in several emirates or countries, or if guardianship of children is disputed. The free case check can help you set out the facts first, and CaseDaleel can introduce an independent licensed professional only if you choose.
Frequently asked questions
How do I start probate for a DIFC will?
The executor sends the DIFC Courts a copy of the death certificate and files a probate application with the fee.
How much does DIFC probate cost?
As of October 2026, the DIFC Courts' FAQ lists USD 1,500 for a Grant of Probate, fixed whatever the estate's value, plus separate land department and other transfer fees.
How long does DIFC probate take?
The DIFC Courts say a grant is normally issued within a few weeks in a straightforward case once they have the executor's documents.
Is a DIFC Grant of Probate enough for banks and the land department?
No, it is first converted into a Dubai Courts judgment, and the Dubai Courts Execution Department then instructs the banks and authorities.
How is an Abu Dhabi civil will executed?
The executor applies to the ADJD, which affixes the executive wording stamp on the will after review and payment so that execution can begin.
Who looks after the children while probate is pending?
Interim guardians named in a DIFC Courts will care for children temporarily, if the children live in Dubai or Ras Al Khaimah at the time of probate.
Official sources
- DIFC Courts — Probate
- DIFC Courts — Wills FAQ
- DIFC Courts — Probate costs
- Abu Dhabi Judicial Department — Frequently asked questions
- Abu Dhabi Judicial Department — Inheritance Application for Expats (PDF)
- Dubai Media Office — Dubai Courts establishes first division for the inheritance of non-Muslims (10 July 2023)
- UAE Legislation — Cabinet Resolution No. 122 of 2023 on the executive regulation of the Civil Personal Status law
General information, not legal advice. CaseDaleel is not a law firm.