A Dedicated Will Drafting & Registration Division of One Corp Legal Consultancy
Preserve Your Estate. Protect Your Family. Secure Your Intentions.
In an evolving legal environment such as the United Arab Emirates, estate planning is no longer a discretionary exercise but a fundamental legal safeguard. OneLegacy has been established as a specialized division of One Corp Legal Consultancy to provide structured, compliant and strategically drafted Wills for expatriates residing in the UAE. With recent legislative developments, the importance of a properly drafted and duly registered Will has become even more critical for any expat holding assets within United Arab Emirates.
What Is a Will?
A Will is a legally binding testamentary instrument through which an individual, referred to as the Testator, formally records their intentions regarding the distribution of their estate upon death. The estate may comprise movable and immovable property, bank accounts, business interests, investments, personal assets and any other proprietary rights owned by the Testator within or outside the UAE.
Beyond asset distribution, a Will may also govern guardianship appointments for minor children, nominate executors to administer the estate, and establish specific directives in relation to liabilities, trusts or structured distributions.
In the absence of a valid and registered Will, estate administration becomes subject to statutory provisions and judicial processes, which may not reflect the deceased’s personal wishes.
Legal Framework Update
Legal Entitlement Must Be Demonstrable.
The estate position of expatriates in the UAE has undergone significant clarification. In circumstances where an expatriate passes away without a registered Will, and where no legally established beneficiary or survivor is able to substantiate entitlement to the deceased’s assets in accordance with the applicable legal framework, such assets may ultimately be transferred to charitable causes. This development reinforces a critical principle: entitlement must be legally demonstrable. Familial relationships alone do not automatically guarantee seamless asset transfer without documentary proof and structured succession planning.
Unregistered estates may face asset freezing
Entitlement must be legally proven
Court procedures may delay distribution
Assets may be redirected if no lawful claim is established
A registered Will is now an essential legal safeguard.
A properly drafted and registered Will serves as the most direct, efficient and authoritative evidence of the Testator’s intentions. It reduces the risk of asset freezing, prevents procedural delays in the local courts, protects dependants from legal uncertainty and ensures that succession occurs in accordance with clearly expressed instructions.
For expatriates holding bank accounts, real estate, corporate shares, or other investments in the UAE, a registered Will is effectively a compulsory instrument of financial and familial protection.
WILL STRUCTURES
Two Structures. One Clear Intention.
Estate planning structures differ depending on personal circumstances, marital status and asset composition. At OneLegacy, we provide tailored drafting for both Single and Mirror Wills.
SINGLE WILL
A Single Will is executed by one individual independently. It is appropriate for unmarried individuals, business owners with independent asset portfolios, or married persons who prefer to structure their estate separately. The Single Will allows the Testator to designate beneficiaries, appoint executors and guardians, and define asset allocation without reference to a spouse’s testamentary arrangements.
Mirror Will
Legal Expertise & Institutional Strength
Why OneLegacy
OneLegacy operates under the legal expertise and regulatory understanding of One Corp Legal Consultancy. Our drafting methodology is grounded in statutory compliance, practical enforceability and strategic estate planning considerations tailored specifically for expatriates residing in the UAE. We understand the complexities arising from cross-border assets, multinational families and varying legal systems. Our approach ensures that your Will is not merely a document, but a legally resilient instrument designed to withstand scrutiny and ensure smooth succession.
Legal Framework Components
Core Components of a Legally Structured Will
A professionally drafted Will integrates essential legal elements to ensure enforceability, clarity and regulatory compliance within the UAE.
The Testator
The Testator is the individual executing the Will. The document must accurately record the Testator’s full legal name, nationality, passport details, Emirates ID information and residential address to eliminate ambiguity and ensure identification certainty.
Beneficiaries
Beneficiaries are the individuals or entities designated to inherit assets. These may include spouses, children, extended family members, friends or charitable organisations. Clear identification of beneficiaries is essential to prevent interpretational disputes and to facilitate efficient
Executor
The Executor is the person appointed to administer the estate. This individual assumes fiduciary responsibility for implementing the terms of the Will, coordinating with relevant authorities, settling outstanding liabilities, liquidating or transferring assets as necessary and ensuring.
Guardian
The Guardian assumes responsibility for the care, upbringing and decision-making authority concerning the children in the event of the parents’ death. Absent such appointment, guardianship determination may fall to judicial discretion, which may not align with the parents’
TRANSPARENT PROFESSIONAL FEES
Our Will Drafting and Registration Packages
At OneLegacy, our services extend beyond drafting. We provide end-to-end support, including legal consultation, document preparation, compliance review and coordination for formal registration before the relevant authorities.
Initiate Your Estate Plan
Estate planning requires clarity, confidentiality and precise legal guidance. Our team at OneLegacy is available to provide structured consultation on Will drafting, registration procedures in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, and the most suitable estate planning framework for your circumstances.