ADGM Will

The Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) is Abu Dhabi's international financial centre and an independent jurisdiction with its own courts and legal framework based on English common law. Within that framework, the ADGM Notary Public offers a will registration service designed specifically for non-Muslims who hold assets in the UAE - whether property in Abu Dhabi, business interests elsewhere in the country, or international holdings.\n\nUnder UAE federal law, the default position for non-Muslims who die without a valid will can involve the application of Sharia succession principles to UAE-based assets. An ADGM Will provides a documented, court-registered alternative: it gives the testator full freedom to nominate beneficiaries and, where relevant, appoint guardians for minor children. Because the will is registered with the ADGM Notary Public, it carries the legal weight of the ADGM Courts system.\n\nThe ADGM operates under the supervision of its Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) for financial matters, but will registration falls under the ADGM Courts and Notary Public function. Always consult a qualified cross-border estate planning adviser before drafting or registering any will. This is not legal or tax advice.

For English-speaking expats living and working in the UAE, estate planning is a practical priority. Without a registered will, the distribution of UAE-based assets - bank accounts, real estate, business shares - may not follow the testator's intentions. An ADGM Will provides a legally recognised mechanism to specify those intentions clearly, covering assets in Abu Dhabi and potentially broader UAE and international holdings.\n\nExpats who are also tax residents of another country (for example, the UK or the US) should be aware that a UAE will addresses the disposition of assets but does not by itself resolve cross-border tax obligations such as inheritance tax or estate tax in the home jurisdiction. Consult a qualified cross-border adviser to ensure your UAE will works alongside any home-country estate planning documents.