How to make a Will in Dubai

What are the options to make a Will for Dubai expats?

As an expat in Dubai you have a few options available. In many respects they are similar to the choices available to you if you were still living in the UK.

However the range of providers is smaller and the complications surrounding the potential for the application of Sharia law to inheritance matters adds a level of complexity.

With all that in mind you can begin to chose. Here are some of the options available

There are probably some aspects of each of that make them more or less attractive to a potential client, namely

  • price
  • reliability
  • expertise

In terms of price for a pair of mirror Wills this can vary from about 1250 Dhs to 10,000 Dhs plus if you use prestige international solicitors.

In terms of reliability that is a more difficult issue but you can question the need and rationale for expensive additional services if offered. One example is being ‘sold’ translation, notarisation and local registration of your Wills. This may be an expensive option that is unnecessary if you don’t have local real property or may be a worthwhile option to make probate quicker and easier but you need to understand how much time this would save versus the cost of the service.

Looking at expertise this can vary wildly. At one end of the scale you will find ‘Will Writing Services’ where a rep comes to your home to take your instructions for a qualified person or lawyer to later write your Will right through to qualified lawyers dealing with the whole process of taking instructions and writing your Will.

The differences in legal knowledge and training can vary massively as well. You can have someone who has had 2/3 days training in taking instructions for Wills and then passes a 1 hour exam to become a qualified Will Writer” or “Estate Planner” through to fully qualified solicitors and barristers with years of legal training behind them.

Online Wills for Dubai
There is not much choice in this area right now. The main differences turn on how automated the service is. Is it all done by software alone or is there any facility that allows for your instructions to be checked and even have suggestions made as with the Dubai Wills online service.