If you're a non-Muslim investing in Dubai real estate, understanding the difference between a DIFC Will and Sharia law is critical to protecting your assets and family. Without proper planning, your property could be distributed by UAE courts in ways you never intended.
🔍 What is a DIFC Will?
A DIFC Will is a legal document registered with the Dubai International Financial Centre Wills Service Centre, allowing non-Muslim expatriates and investors to distribute their UAE-based assets according to their personal wishes — not according to Sharia law.
Key benefits of a DIFC Will:
- Full control over who inherits your Dubai property and assets
- Recognition by UAE courts and Dubai Land Department
- Appointment of guardians for minor children
- Faster probate process, reducing delays and asset freezes
⚖️ What is Sharia Law in the UAE?
Sharia law is the default legal framework for inheritance in the UAE. If a non-Muslim dies without a registered will, UAE courts may apply Sharia rules, regardless of the deceased’s nationality or intent.
Under Sharia inheritance law:
- Assets are divided among multiple family members in fixed shares
- Sons inherit twice as much as daughters
- Spouses may receive limited portions
- Minor children may be assigned guardians by the court
- Foreign wills are not guaranteed enforcement
🏠 Why Dubai Property Investors Should Care
If you own property in Dubai — particularly in high-value areas like Jumeirah Bay Island, Palm Jumeirah, or Downtown Dubai — your real estate could be frozen or distributed contrary to your wishes upon death unless you have a proper DIFC Will in place.
Without a DIFC Will:
- Property cannot be sold or transferred easily
- Family may face months of legal uncertainty
- No automatic guardianship for your children
- Probate costs and legal fees can rise significantly
With a DIFC Will:
✅ You control who inherits
✅ No Sharia law applied
✅ Faster execution through DIFC Courts
✅ Privacy, legal certainty, and family protection
👨👩👧 Who Needs a DIFC Will?
- Non-Muslim property investors in Dubai or Abu Dhabi
- HNWI families or individuals with multiple assets in the UAE
- Parents with minor children residing in the UAE
- Entrepreneurs holding shares in UAE businesses
- Anyone seeking peace of mind and structured estate planning
📝 How to Register a DIFC Will
- Work with a DIFC Wills & Probate Registry-approved legal advisor
- Choose the right will type (full, property-only, guardianship, etc.)
- Draft and review your will in English
- Sign and register it either in person or via video call with DIFC Wills Service Centre
Costs start around AED 10,000, and the will remains valid for life (unless revoked or updated).
📈 Final Thought: Protect Your Investment and Legacy
Buying property in Dubai is a major financial move — but without a DIFC Will, you could unintentionally leave your loved ones with confusion, delays, and legal costs.
Don’t let your legacy be defined by default rules.
Secure it with a DIFC Will.
📩 Need trusted DIFC Will advisors?
Contact us today to get connected with vetted estate planning experts.
