Dubai Wills and the New Age of Majority

From June 2026, Federal Decree-Law No. 25 of 2025 (Civil Transactions Law) will take effect in the UAE lowering the age of majority from 21 ‘lunar years’ to 18 ‘Gregorian years’. As a result, individuals aged 18 or over will have full legal capacity — including the ability to execute a Will, enter into contracts, and manage their affairs independently.

Implications for Dubai Wills

Testamentary Capacity at 18

Under Article 84 of the new Civil Transactions Law, individuals aged 18 and above, who are of sound mind, will gain full legal capacity including the right to execute a binding Will in the UAE. Importantly, too, for those seeking to prepare a Will to govern their estate in the Emirates, the age at which beneficiaries can inherit is reduced to 18 (rather than being 21).

Non-Muslim Expatriates: Dubai Wills Framework

Dubai Law No. 15 of 2017 and Federal Decree-Law No. 41 of 2022 establish clear mechanisms for non-Muslims to register Wills covering Dubai-based assets including real estate, bank accounts, investments, and personal effects.

Without a registered Will, intestacy rules could apply to your assets in the Emirates (including Dubai) and your assets might not be distributed in line with your wishes.

Preparing a DIFC Will matters as it

• ensures clarity and control over distribution of your Dubai assets;
• protects your beneficiaries — especially those aged 18 to 21 — by specifying guardianship and asset-release terms; and
• minimises the risk of unintended intestacy due to outdated estate arrangements.

We recommend that you

• review and update Wills (both global and those covering Emirati assets only) to ensure that they align with your wishes;
• if sensible, prepare a Dubai specific Will to cover your assets in the jurisdiction and also to ensure that you have sensible guardianship provisions in place; and
• coordinate your global estate plan so your Dubai Will complements other Wills you may have overseas.