A Last Will from DIFC is a legal document that specifies how a person’s assets will be distributed after their death. Assets can include money, real estate, and other assets. In the following lines, the POA&More team explains to us a comprehensive guide to Last Will from DIFC.
What is Last will from DIFC
The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC wills) has launched the Last Will initiative, which aims to provide a simplified and efficient mechanism for non-Muslim individuals to register their wills in Dubai. This initiative allows individuals to determine how their assets will be distributed after their death, ensuring that their wishes are fulfilled and avoiding any potential disputes between heirs. In the following lines, we explain the advantages of Last will from DIFC:
- Simplification: The initiative provides simplified procedures for registering a will, making it easy and accessible to everyone.
- Efficiency: Last will from DIFC is registered quickly and efficiently, ensuring that it is executed in a timely manner.
- Security: The will is stored in a safe and reliable place, ensuring that it is not lost or damaged.
- Legal recognition: Last will from DIFC registered in the DIFC is legally recognized in the UAE, ensuring that it is executed properly.
Read more : Last Will and Testament UAE
Types of DIFC WILLS
In the Dubai International Financial Centre, there are several types of Last Will from DIFC available to suit different needs of individuals. These include:
- Full Will: Covers all aspects of the estate, including assets, real estate, appointment of an executor, and distribution of property.
- Trust Will: Limited to guardianship provisions and appointment of guardians for minor children.
- Financial Assets Will: Focuses on the distribution of financial assets such as stocks, bonds, and bank accounts.
- Digital Assets Will: Allows individuals to distribute their digital assets such as cryptocurrencies and NFTs.
- Business Owners Will: Designed specifically for business owners to determine how their business will be transferred and managed after their death.
In addition, the DIFC offers other services such as the online automated Last Will from DIFC drafting service and the Virtual Registry service to facilitate the process of creating and registering wills.
Requirements for DIFC Will
To register a Last Will from DIFC, the testator must meet several requirements and conditions, including:
- Be a non-Muslim: The testator must be a non-Muslim, as a will from a Muslim in the Dubai International Financial Centre is not valid.
- Age: The testator must be at least 21 years old.
- Legal capacity: The testator must have full legal capacity to make a will, i.e. he must not be under guardianship or incapacitated, or suffer from any disability such as insanity, dementia, foolishness or negligence.
- Ownership of funds: The testator must own the funds he bequeaths.
- Assets: If the testator owns assets in the form of real estate or shares, he must own them in Dubai or Ras Al Khaimah, or have minor children residing with him in Dubai or Ras Al Khaimah.
- Disposition of funds: The testator must not be prohibited from disposing of his funds, or have been declared bankrupt or insolvent.
- Execution of the will: The Last will from DIFC must be enforceable.
- Public order and morals: The Last Will from DIFC must not include anything that violates public order and morals in the UAE.
- The money bequeathed: The money bequeathed must be real and its amount must be specified or determinable upon the death of the testator, with the permissibility of a will for future money if it is determinable.
Read more: How to Make a Will in UAE – Expert Will Drafting Services
Difc wills and probate registry rules
To register a Last Will from DIFC, follow these steps:
Drafting a Will:
You can hire a lawyer or a specialist writer to draft your will in the correct legal form. The Last Will from DIFC must include accurate details about the distribution of the estate and the identification of the beneficiaries and executors of the will.
Determining the type of Will:
DIFC offers two types of Wills:
- Single Will: for one person.
- Joint Will: for a couple.
Book an Appointment:
Book an appointment to register your Will through the DIFC website or contact them.
Submitting the required documents:
On the appointed date, you must submit the following documents:
- A copy of your identity (passport or Emirates ID).
- A copy of the original Will.
- Any other relevant documents (such as certificates of ownership of assets).
Paying the Last Will from DIFC Fee:
Pay the required fees to register the Will.
Signing the Will:
- Sign the Last will from DIFC in front of the DIFC Registrar.
- Receiving a copy of the Will: After registering the Will, you will receive a stamped and certified copy of it.
Read more: How Long is a Last Will and Testament Valid in UAE
Dubai court will registration fee
The fees for registering a will in Dubai Courts vary based on several factors, including:
- Place of registration: Whether registration is in Dubai Courts or the Dubai International Financial Centre.
- Type of will: Whether it is a single will or a reverse will (for spouses).
- Value of assets: In some cases, the value of the assets mentioned in the will may affect the fees.
Read more: Cost of Making Will in Dubai in 2025
Advantages of POA&More in conducting the Last will from DIFC
In the following lines, we explain the advantages offered by POA & More POA Dubai when conducting a Last will from DIFC:
- Experienced Team: POA & More has a team of lawyers and legal consultants with extensive experience in writing a Last Will from DIFC and administering estates in the DIFC, and are familiar with all relevant laws and procedures.
- Comprehensive Services: POA & More offers a wide range of wills-related services, including writing, updating, registering and executing a Last Will from DIFC, as well as post-mortem estate administration services.
- Focus on Individual Needs: POA & More pays great attention to the individual needs of its clients, and strives to provide tailored solutions that suit their specific circumstances.
- Transparency and Clarity: POA & More is transparent and clear in its dealings with clients, providing them with a detailed explanation of all the procedures and costs related to writing and executing a Will.
- Confidentiality and Security: POA & More ensures that clients’ information is kept confidential, and takes all necessary measures to ensure the security of their documents.
- Convenience and ease of procedures: POA & More seeks to facilitate the procedures of writing a Last will from DIFC for clients, and provides them with the necessary support and assistance throughout the process.
- Guardianship in the Dubai International Financial Centre: Choosing the Dubai International Financial Centre to register your will gives you an additional advantage, as the centre enjoys a prestigious international reputation, and guarantees you the application of clear and reliable laws for the management of estates.
- Competitive prices: POA & More offers competitive prices for its services compared to other companies operating in the same field.
- Excellent customer service: POA & More is keen to provide excellent customer service to its clients, and provide them with the necessary support and assistance at any time.
- Good reputation: POA & More enjoys a good reputation in the market, and is trusted by many clients.
Frequently asked questions
Does UAE law apply to DIFC?
The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) is an independent financial free zone within the United Arab Emirates, and has its own laws and regulations that differ from those of the UAE. The DIFC has its own independent legal and regulatory framework, but in some cases it is subject to some federal laws of the UAE. Below we explain a comprehensive guide on whether UAE law applies to the DIFC:
Laws and Regulations:
- DIFC Laws: Companies operating in the DIFC are subject to specific laws and regulations issued by the centre, such as the Companies Law and the Securities Law.
- Federal Laws: In some cases, some federal laws of the UAE may apply to the DIFC, such as the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing laws.
Jurisdiction:
DIFC Courts: The centre has its own independent judicial system, consisting of courts of first instance and a court of appeal, which has jurisdiction over commercial and civil disputes arising within the centre.
Regulatory Bodies:
Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA): The independent regulatory body responsible for regulating financial services in the Dubai International Financial Centre, and overseeing companies operating in the financial sector.
What is the notice period for DIFC?
There is no specific notice period mentioned in the DIFC. However, the DIFC rules and regulations specify the notification procedures in some cases, such as:
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- Termination of employment: The employer must give notice to the employee before terminating his service, and this notice must be in writing and specify the date of termination.
- Termination of a tenancy agreement: The tenant must give notice to the landlord before terminating the tenancy agreement, and this notice must be in writing and specify the date of eviction.
- Termination of a licence agreement: The licensee must give notice to the licensee before terminating the licence agreement, and this notice must be in writing and specify the date of termination.
