DIFC will vs ADJD will — which should an expat in the UAE choose?

Both the DIFC Courts Wills Service and the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department (ADJD) registry let non-Muslims direct their estate under principles of testamentary freedom instead of default Sharia succession, so the choice usually comes down to where your assets sit, where your family lives, and which court you want to handle probate. A DIFC will is administered by the DIFC Courts (a common-law court) and is well established for Dubai-centred estates, while an ADJD will is administered through Abu Dhabi's courts and aligns with Abu Dhabi's civil personal status system. Coverage, recognised will types and the enforcement pathway differ between the two registries, and which one is more convenient depends on your specific portfolio and family situation. Neither is inherently "better"; the right answer is fact-specific. Because procedural details and the scope each registry covers are set by the respective courts and change over time, verify the current position on the DIFC Courts and Abu Dhabi government official sites. An estate-planning lawyer, several of whom list on LEXAI, can map your assets to the right registry.