YOUR EXPAT WILL

Almost every Will has complicated tax consequences. This is the main reason why there is not a 'one-size-fits-all' solution. Talk with the expert Lady Hilda van der Tuin to learn what your options are (and how you can avoid the tax man taking a large chunck out of your legacy).

Don’t postpone the non-urgent important things in LIFE

As the daughter of Lady Hilda van der Tuin pointed out so sucsinct: "it's difficult to negotiate about a Will with the immortal." And we hate to bring it you, but you're not immortal.  

Drafting a Will is not expensive. For a couple we charge 6.000 AED, and on top of that there will be registration fees with the authorities in the UAE, that can go as low as 950 AED per Will and up to 15.000 AED for that very same Will, depending on the registration you prefer.  

What we need from  you for drafting the Will

We need the following documents and data from you;

The Emirates ID’s of your family;

The visa of you and your spouse;

The passports of your family;

Your physical address in the UAE;

The list with your assets (you can remove the confidential information or information about the value)

The names, addresses, Passport copies, and EID’s of the temporary guardians of your children (if applicable). Usually, the temporary guardians are based in the UAE since they are the ones who take immediate care of a child in case something happens to the mother and father.

The names, addresses, Passport copies of the permanent guardians of your children (if applicable). If they have different last names than you and your wife have, it is easier for me if you explain to me how they are related to you.

The names, addresses, Passport copies of the second, third, and possibly fourth Executor (assuming you are the executor of your spouse and your spouse is yours). Their EID’s if they are based in the UAE.

List of your beneficiaries in case it’s anyone else than your spouse and children. (For example, you have a special watch, and you want your brother to inherit this from you).

The marriage contract in case you signed a contract when you married. If it is just a marriage certificate, and you and your wife didn’t sign prenuptials, I don’t need the document.

If you want to donate your organs after you passed away.

Funeral wishes. Do you want to be buried or cremated? Do you want to be cremated in the UAE or in your home country? Do you want a special ceremony? Should it be a religious ceremony? Do you like certain music? Do you like to wear certain clothes? What should happen with your wedding ring? Etc. etc.

What does not work

Translating a Will from any country in the world and expecting it to have any legal value in the United Arab Emirates.