Mariums Thoughts: The Importance of DIFC Wills in Dubai

As many of you are aware, I am a , Muslim woman holding dual citizenship. Living between the UK and Dubai, has always led me to have the topic of legacy on my mind.. I’ve seen friends and family put off the idea of estate planning – the conversation is uncomfortable, the paperwork unfamiliar, and the thought of one day not being here to protect those you love is all too easy to ignore. But in my time both in the UK and in the UAE, I’ve come to appreciate how critical it really is to take action. That is why I want to share my reflections on drafting a Will in Dubai and particularly DIFC Wills – what they mean, why writing a Will in the DIFC matters, and why writing a Will in Dubai is something I believe more people should treat as a priority.

For many of us, the impetus to plan ahead is delayed. Maybe we believe we have plenty of time, perhaps we assume that our existing Will covers everything or that our loved ones will simply know what to do. But what if you don’t act? Your assets in the UAE – property in Dubai, bank accounts, business interests – could end up subject to rules that don’t reflect your wishes. Without appropriate planning, the default inheritance regime- Sharia Islamic Law- in the UAE may apply, and that can lead to outcomes you never intended. Imagine the stress on your family: assets frozen, disputes over guardianship of children, an executor unfamiliar with your wishes, overseas relatives left uncertain. I speak from both cultural and personal vantage-points: balancing two nationalities, thinking of younger siblings, planning for children, and wanting to protect not only what you’ve built, but how you want it built for the future.

That’s why I turned my attention to the option of drafting a DIFC Will. It gives clarity, structure, and most importantly, control. For a dual-citizen like me, living across jurisdictions, it offers a way to bridge cultures, laws and expectations. In this blog, I’ll explore the significance of DIFC Wills in Dubai, share what I have learned about drafting a Will in the DIFC, and why writing a Will in the DIFC Courts should be something you consider sooner rather than later.

Why the subject matters to me

Growing up in a Muslim household I have seen the values of family, responsibility and provision deeply embedded from a young age. But while those values remain, life abroad adds complexity: different legal systems, property abroad, international bank accounts, children with mixed backgrounds, perhaps a partner from another country. All of these mean that estate planning becomes more than ticking boxes—it becomes safeguarding identity, values, and relationships. In my journey I’ve spoken with many expats, some highly successful, owning property in Dubai, mixing families across continents, able to call the UAE home and yet leaving the subject of their estate until “later”. I know why: they don’t want to think about death, they assume theirs is a simple case, or they believe their UK Will will suffice. But the pitfalls are real.

For example, if you don’t take the right steps the default legal regime in the UAE may apply, which could mean your estate follows rules that don’t align with your personal wishes; your children may not receive the guardianship you would want them to have; unmarried partners or step-children might be left unprotected. I have worried: what happens if I am overseas, abroad when something happens? Would my family in the UAE and in the UK know where to turn? Would the legal team be able to act swiftly? Would my assets pass to the people I trusted? That’s why in my mind the concept of a DIFC Will is not abstract—it’s deeply personal.

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What could go wrong if you delay

Let me list a few scenarios that keep me awake at night (and maybe will prompt you to act now):

From where I sit, the emotional consequence is that by not acting you could be asking your loved ones to manage a crisis in the midst of grief—and I would not ant that for my family, my children, my partner, my friends. Instead, I prefer peace of mind. That’s where DIFC Wills in Dubai make such a difference.

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What I believe are the real benefits of a DIFC Will

Upon reflection I see three major areas where the value is clear:

1. Control over your assets and guardianship

When you draft a DIFC Will you can specify how your assets in Dubai (and in many cases in Ras Al Khaimah) are to be distributed, nominate executors/trustees you trust, appoint guardians for minors—so yourvoice remains even after you’re gone. As one article puts it, a DIFC Will “allows non-Muslim expatriates to choose how their UAE-based assets are distributed after death, rather than having them automatically governed by UAE Federal Sharia law.” For more information read my MAR Legal article here.

2. Legal certainty and simplified process

For expats like me (with links to more than one country) the common-law based framework under the DIFC Courts Wills Service registry gives much more certainty than relying on local notarial Wills or default regimes. As one legal review noted:

“The DIFC Will avoids this uncertainty by operating under a separate legal system … Wills are registered electronically, witnessed in person or remotely … The outcome follows the document as written.” Source – Legal 500+

That matters to me because I want my wishes followed, not left to interpretation.

3. Peace of mind for now and the future

The beauty of having a properly drafted and registered Will is the emotional rest it offers. I feel empowered knowing that if something happens tomorrow, my family are not left piecing together “what I might have wanted”. They have clarity, they have direction, they have support from an experienced legal team (like our team at MAR Legal). For someone with dual citizenship, overseas connections and assets, that peace is priceless.

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My advice for writing a Will in the DIFC and in Dubai

From my personal vantage point and conversations with our legal team at MAR Legal, here is what I recommend:

• Don’t assume your UK Will or home-country Will covers everything in Dubai. In many cases you’ll want a specific document for your UAE assets.
• If you are thinking about writing a Will in the DIFC, check your eligibility early (non-Muslim, age over 21, assets in Dubai/RAK) and understand which type of Will suits you (Full Will, Property Will, Financial Assets Will, Business Owners Will). For more information on how MAR Legal can write your DIFC Wills visit here.
• Gather your facts: what assets do you have in Dubai? Real estate, bank accounts, investments, business shares. Who are your dependents or guardians you may want to appoint? The earlier you have this organised, the less friction later.
• Work with a legal team experienced in DIFC Wills. It’s not just about filling in a form—it’s aligning your global estate plan (UK + UAE) and avoiding conflicting documents or unintended revocations.
• Don’t delay. Life changes – marriage, children, remarriage, new assets – all these mean your Will should be reviewed regularly.
• Consider writing a Will in Dubai (even if you’re non-resident) if you hold assets there or intend to. The principle of writing a Will in Dubai should be taken seriously because the local default laws may not respect your personal wishes.
• Communicate with your family. Let them know where your Will is, who your executors/guardians are, and have a conversation about your legacy—not just the paperwork, but your values too.

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Why MAR Legal matters in this journey

One of the reasons I feel comfortable writing about this is because I know our legal team at MAR Legal has built real expertise in this field. They understand the nuances of drafting a DIFC Will, coordinating it with a UK Will, guiding you through registration and ensuring compliance with the DIFC Wills & Probate Registry rules. For someone like me, bridging cultures and jurisdictions, that level of support is vital. We’ve helped many clients protect assets and protect families. You’re not just filing a document—you’re securing your future.

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Conclusion

For me, putting in place a DIFC Will plan in Dubai is not about morbid preparation — it’s about care, responsibility and love. It’s about making sure that when I’m gone, my family aren’t left with confusion, delay or legal uncertainty. It’s about writing a Will in the DIFC that aligns with my UK estate plan and about writing a Will in Dubai in the broader sense of protecting what matters. If you’re living, working or investing in Dubai (or Ras Al Khaimah), I’d encourage you to act now. Don’t wait. Because peace of mind for you, means clarity for your family.

FAQs about Moving to Dubai

Here are some common questions (and answers) covering DIFC Wills, writing a Will in the DIFC, and writing a Will in Dubai.