Draft

My Will

A Will registered with the Dubai International Financial Centre Wills Service Centre (WSC) provides non-Muslims with certainty over the distribution of their Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah assets without the application of Sharia Law. However, when considering whether a DIFC Will is the best fit for your needs, it is worth noting that a DIFC Will only covers property (both personal, and most notably, real estate) located in the Emirates of Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah. Notwithstanding the need for a Will covering assets located outside the Emirates of Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah, the DIFC Will offers a number of benefits:

• No estate tax levied on Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah assets distributed under the WPR Rules;
• Can be limited to guardianship provisions or can include provisions relating to assets and guardianship;
• Covers real property, avoiding distribution in accordance with Sharia principles;
• Documents only need to be drafted in English, eliminating translation fees; and;
• Signatures at the Dubai Notary not required.

The option of registering a Will with Dubai Courts of course remain valid for non-Muslims. However, owners of substantial assets such as real property may consider it worthwhile to register a Will with the WSC, even if they already have a Dubai Courts Will, for the reasons outlined above.