One architecture for a family's entire UAE wealth
Bequest designs private wealth structures for high-net-worth families, family offices and business owners in the UAE. The core architecture combines three layers: a DIFC Foundation as the governance and succession apex, RAK ICC entities for private asset holding, and DIFC Wills for distribution — enforced in DIFC, held in private, with nothing left to probate.
The tripartite formula
- DIFC Foundation (the apex): a separate legal person under DIFC Law No. 3 of 2018 that holds ultimate ownership while separating economic benefit from administrative control, ensuring multi-generational continuity.
- RAK ICC holding entities: private companies under the RAK ICC Business Companies Regulations 2016 that hold operating businesses, real estate and investments off public registers.
- DIFC Wills: registered with the DIFC Wills and Probate Registry; under Dubai Law No. 2 of 2025 the DIFC Courts have exclusive jurisdiction over their probate and enforcement.
Latest insight
DIFC vs ADJD Wills: which protects Dubai assets — and why a will alone is not enough — probate routes, Dubai Land Department enforcement, official registry fees, and the foundation and SPV structures that close the gaps a will cannot.
How an engagement works
A twelve-question discovery maps assets, privacy needs, counterparties, exposure and succession intent. A deterministic rules engine — not generic advice — composes the recommended structure, delivered as a private assessment with rationale and sequencing. Delivery typically runs 8–12 weeks.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a will for my assets in the UAE?
If you are a non-Muslim with assets in the UAE — property, bank accounts, company shares — a registered will is the only way to direct who inherits them. Without one, the estate passes through the local courts under Federal Decree-Law No. 41 of 2022, accounts are frozen and heirs must prove foreign law. Bequest registers wills exclusively with the DIFC Wills Service, whose probate orders execute directly against Dubai assets under Dubai Law No. 2 of 2025.
Does a UAE structure replace my existing will in my home country?
No. Our architecture specifically governs your UAE-sited assets. We employ ring-fencing strategies to ensure your UAE holdings are securely managed and transferred without interfering with your global estate planning elsewhere.
What is the tripartite structure Bequest builds?
Three layers working together: a DIFC Foundation (DIFC Law No. 3 of 2018) as the governance and succession apex, RAK ICC holding companies (Business Companies Regulations 2016) for private asset holding off public registers, and DIFC Wills for distribution of anything held personally. Each layer can also stand alone — a standalone DIFC will is a complete engagement in itself.
Why use RAK ICC instead of BVI or Cayman?
RAK ICC is highly integrated with the UAE banking system, recognized by the Dubai Land Department for real estate holding, and carries none of the reputational stigma currently associated with Caribbean jurisdictions. It provides equal privacy and better local utility.
How long does the implementation take?
A complete multi-tier architecture—from the initial blueprint to the final registration of wills and transfer of assets—typically requires 8 to 12 weeks. We move deliberately to ensure absolute compliance and precision.
What happens after the structure is built?
Structures require maintenance. Depending on your chosen package, we provide ongoing registered agent services, compliance monitoring, and annual filings to ensure the architecture remains legally resilient year after year.
Official sources
- DIFC Courts Wills Service — official portal
- Dubai Law No. 15 of 2017 — wills of non-Muslims (official text)
Related reading
- Compare DIFC, ADJD and ADGM wills
- How engagement scope is confirmed privately
- How the engagement works, step by step
Ask AI About Bequest
Bequest — private wealth structuring, Meydan Free Zone, Dubai, UAE. Contact: advisory@bequest.ae. Informational only; every engagement is reviewed by licensed legal counsel.