From a client perspective, DIFC Wills are highly beneficial as they permit non-Muslim expatriates (particularly those who own real estate or businesses in UAE or those who have minor children), to allocate their estate in the manner preferable to them. Aditi is a registered DIFC Wills Draftsman and routinely advises clients on the best manner of structuring their estate to ensure seamless transition to the chosen beneficiaries. We may also mention that DIFC Wills should be coupled with succession planning exercises for business owners to ensure business continuity and ease of operations. Detailed estate planning includes the following:

  1. Review of documentation pertaining to all assets (movable and immovable) owned and controlled by the client (beneficial or otherwise)
  2. Providing a legal opinion/ presentation in detail on the way forward in relation to structuring the assets to ensure a smooth line of succession and undeterred ownership/ control over all assets
  3. Drafting the required number of DIFC Wills to cover assets in UAE and other territories
  4. Providing a written roadmap to be shared with the chosen beneficiaries to allow them to execute the DIFC Wills at a later stage.
  5. Registration of the Wills at DIFC, including coordinating with the DIFC authorities to have the same approved, and further arranging for an appointment and witnesses to make the process smooth and seamless.
  6. Discussions with any officials or authorities in UAE for clarifying the contents of any of the documents.