Why expats in Abu Dhabi plan through ADJD
Most expats hold assets in two countries, and the two halves rarely answer to the same rules. Without a registered will, the UAE estate enters the court process — the Civil Family Court handles the file, an administrator can be appointed, and distribution follows the applicable law rather than family wishes.
The Article 11 default position
Under Article 11 of Abu Dhabi Law No. 14 of 2021, the default gives the spouse half while the children divide the rest equally, with no distinction between sons and daughters; parents and siblings inherit where there are no children. Heirs may instead request the deceased’s home-country law — unless a registered will says otherwise.
Reconciling the home-country will
A home-country will seldom covers the UAE side smoothly, because it speaks to authorities abroad rather than the ones here. The planning session reconciles the two: existing papers are read against the Abu Dhabi position, including where home-country law can still be claimed, so the documents stop working at cross-purposes. Property carries one visible boundary throughout — anything contradicting public order or morals can be set aside while the rest of the will stands. Muslim expats face a further eligibility question on the civil route, and should confirm their position with a specialist before relying on either statement of it.
Inside the planning session
Mapping opens the session: what is owned in the UAE and abroad — property, accounts, business shares, policies — listed together so no asset sits outside the plan by accident. The conversation then traces how each asset passes, where current papers fall short, and what a single registered will can and cannot fix.
The written plan and starting papers
It closes with the plan in writing: a will drafted ready for the ADJD Civil Wills Section, or a clear written staging where more steps come first. Bring a passport and Emirates ID, the two-country asset list, and the names of intended heirs and guardians. Expats comparing emirates can weigh the Dubai planning route, and foreign papers entering the file are made court-ready through certified translation.
What one clear plan gives you
Assets in two countries, default rules explained, and a single registered will covering the UAE side.
Both homes mapped
UAE and home-country holdings are listed together, property, accounts, business shares, and policies, so no asset sits outside the plan by accident.
Default law explained first
We set out what happens without a will, including the Law No. 14 of 2021 default where the spouse takes half and the children divide the rest equally, before you decide anything.
Home will reviewed
Your existing home-country papers are read against your UAE position, including where home-country law can still be claimed, so the two documents do not work against each other.
One will for the UAE
The plan ends in a single will drafted ready for the ADJD Civil Wills Section, directing the UAE estate instead of leaving it to the court file and a possible administrator.
When this service is not what you need
Planning serves the living expat with ties in two places. Outside that picture, a sharper tool exists.
You are a Muslim expat
The civil wills route behind this planning carries an eligibility question for Muslim testators. Read our Muslim wills service first and confirm your position with a specialist before relying on either route.
A death has already occurred
After a death there is nothing left to plan, only a file to administer. Our wills probate section covers the application, administration, and distribution steps.
You only need a draft written
If the plan is already clear and the family decisions are made, skip the session and start directly with our will draft preparation service.
Nothing you own sits in the UAE
If every asset sits abroad, a UAE planning session adds little. An adviser where the assets sit gives the better return on an hour.
Who plans here
The expats who most often sit down for a planning session in Abu Dhabi.
New arrival with property
Expats who bought in Abu Dhabi and want the UAE estate directed before the court defaults ever get a chance to apply.
Chat About Your CaseHolder of an old home will
Expats with a will from home that never contemplated UAE assets, who need the two papers reconciled into one plan.
Chat About Your CaseParents across two homes
Families with children in Abu Dhabi and assets in two countries, who need guardians, defaults, and the registered will settled together.
Chat About Your CaseBusiness holder expat
Expats holding company shares or policies beside property and accounts, who need each asset class traced to its heir.
Chat About Your CasePlanning with support or on your own
The default rules apply whether or not anyone explains them. The question is whether you meet them prepared.
| Aspect | With SRAG | On your own |
|---|---|---|
| Asset picture | We map UAE and home-country assets into one written picture with you. | You hold two partial lists and hope they add up to a plan. |
| Default rules | We explain the Article 11 defaults and the home-country law option before you decide. | You discover the defaults when the court applies them. |
| Old papers | Your home-country will is reviewed for gaps against your UAE life. | You assume the old will covers the UAE and never test the assumption. |
| Property boundary | We draft with the public-order boundary on property visible throughout. | You direct property freely and meet the constraint at probate. |
| Written outcome | You leave with a drafted will or a clear written plan where more steps come first. | You leave with notes and the task of turning them into a document. |
Asset picture
With SRAG
We map UAE and home-country assets into one written picture with you.
On your own
You hold two partial lists and hope they add up to a plan.
Default rules
With SRAG
We explain the Article 11 defaults and the home-country law option before you decide.
On your own
You discover the defaults when the court applies them.
Old papers
With SRAG
Your home-country will is reviewed for gaps against your UAE life.
On your own
You assume the old will covers the UAE and never test the assumption.
Property boundary
With SRAG
We draft with the public-order boundary on property visible throughout.
On your own
You direct property freely and meet the constraint at probate.
Written outcome
With SRAG
You leave with a drafted will or a clear written plan where more steps come first.
On your own
You leave with notes and the task of turning them into a document.
Why SRAG Wills for Expat Estate Planning
Expat planning is a comparison exercise between two legal homes. Our team runs it with you, patiently, in one session.
Two-country habit
Our team maps UAE and home-country holdings for expat families every week, and we know which questions to ask about each asset class.
Default law made plain
We explain the Law No. 14 of 2021 defaults and the home-country law option in ordinary language, with the public-order boundary kept visible.
WhatsApp-first contact
You reach an advisor on WhatsApp with same-day replies, and one point of contact carries your plan from mapping session to drafted will.
Registration route advised
We advise whether ADJD or DIFC registration fits your family before drafting, so the will is written for the right register.
How the planning session works
Mapping your estate
You list what you own in the UAE and abroad — property, accounts, business shares, and policies.
Planning session
We talk through how each asset passes on, where your current papers fall short, and what one registered will can and cannot fix.
The plan in writing
You leave with your will drafted — or a clear written plan if more steps are needed first.
Plan across both homes
Assets here and at home need one clear plan. We map it with you.
We respond within one business day.
Disclaimer: SRAG Wills is a wills consultancy, not a law firm or government body. Registration is completed with the DIFC Courts Wills Service or ADJD; Muslim wills, and estate and inheritance cases, are filed with the Dubai Courts.