GuardianshipNEW

Guardianship Appointments for Minor Children

For parents of minor children, a will answers one question first: who raises them if both parents die. Without a registered appointment the court decides under the law it finds applicable, so the ADJD civil will template provides for guardians to be appointed inside the will itself — named, on the official record, before they are ever needed.

SRAG Wills prepares the guardianship clause inside your civil will — separating care of the children from care of their share, naming backups, and making sure each guardian’s details are in order for registration with the ADJD Civil Wills Section.

How guardianship is appointed

Choosing guardians

You choose who cares for your children day to day, and who looks after their share of the estate. They can be different people.

Writing the clause

We write the appointment in plain language inside your civil will, with backup guardians in case your first choice cannot serve.

Reviewing over time

Guardianship is reviewed whenever your family changes — a new child, a move, or a guardian who is no longer suitable.

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; estate and inheritance cases are filed with the Dubai Courts.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I appoint guardians for my minor children?

Inside your will, you name an interim guardian and a permanent guardian, and you can separate daily care from management of the child's share. The appointment records your wishes for the courts. Final decisions about children always rest with the courts.

What is the difference between a guardian and an executor?

A guardian cares for your minor children. An executor carries out the instructions in your will. One person can hold both roles, or you can split them.

What is the difference between an interim and a permanent guardian?

The interim guardian steps in immediately after death; the permanent guardian takes over for the long term. Both are named inside your civil will, so the answer to "who takes the children tomorrow morning" is written down before it is ever needed.

Does naming a guardian guarantee the appointment?

No — and this matters. Final decisions about children always rest with the courts. In Abu Dhabi, the Civil Family Court holds the competence over wills and the appointment of an estate administrator, and any appointment must sit within UAE public policy. A clear, registered appointment is the strongest statement you can make.

Who can serve as a guardian?

Someone you trust, whose appointment does not contravene UAE public policy — and who has said yes. Name backups — if your first choice cannot serve, the second stands ready. The people you name should know they are named.

What if my children live outside Abu Dhabi?

The civil will is registered with ADJD and read against the family's actual circumstances — where the children live, what other guardianship papers exist, and which court will act. We review those questions with you at drafting, so the appointment is written for your real situation.

When should I review the appointment?

Whenever the family changes — marriage, divorce, a new child, a move, or a guardian who is no longer suitable. A change means filing an updated will with the Civil Wills Section, so the record always matches your present wishes.

Other Services

Guardianship

Guardianship Appointments for Minor Children

Guardianship appointments for minor children in Dubai — interim and permanent guardians named in your DIFC Courts will.