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I Think My Relative's Will Was Forged

“I think my relative's will was forged”

Challenging a will as forged means disputing that it genuinely reflects the deceased's wishes or was properly executed, which can be raised as both a civil challenge to the will and a separate criminal complaint.

Suspecting a will has been forged, on top of losing someone, is a difficult position to be in. This page explains, generally, how a forgery concern can be raised in the UAE. LEXNOVA Legal Connect can help you describe what you've found and find a lawyer to look at it properly.

LAST REVIEWED 21 SEPTEMBER 2026

WHERE THIS IS HANDLED

The specific court or registry where the will was filed or is being relied on, alongside a possible parallel criminal complaint for forgery.

How the answer changes by jurisdiction

  • Dubai mainland

    If the will was registered with the Dubai Courts, which is done through their notary public, a challenge is raised before the Dubai Courts. Which court applies depends on where the will was registered.

  • DIFC

    A will registered with the DIFC Wills Service Centre is administered through the DIFC Courts' probate process, and a forgery challenge would be raised there.

  • Abu Dhabi mainland

    A will registered with the ADJD Office of Non-Muslims Wills is challenged through the relevant Abu Dhabi Judicial Department process.

  • ADGM

    ADGM does not operate its own separate wills registry. A forgery concern connected to ADGM-based assets or a person based there is generally addressed through the relevant onshore or DIFC process, depending on where any will was actually registered — a lawyer can confirm which applies.

WHAT YOU CAN DO NEXT

STEP 01

Preserve the document and don't tip your hand

Keep the will and any related paperwork exactly as you found them. Avoid confronting whoever you suspect before you've taken advice — this can prompt destruction of evidence or give someone time to prepare a story.

STEP 02

Find out where, if anywhere, the will was registered

There isn't one single wills system in the UAE — there are several separate registries, and which one applies changes the process. Establishing whether the will was registered with the DIFC Wills Service Centre, the ADJD Office of Non-Muslims Wills, or the Dubai Courts (through their notary public) — or not registered at all — is one of the first things a lawyer will need to check.

STEP 03

Get an independent view on authenticity

Questions like whether a signature is genuine, whether the document was properly witnessed, or whether the dates make sense are usually addressed through forensic document examination and, where needed, expert testimony. This isn't something to assess yourself.

STEP 04

Decide on a criminal complaint alongside the civil challenge

Forgery can be pursued as a criminal matter through the police and Public Prosecution, separately from challenging the will's validity within the relevant court or registry. Many cases involve both tracks running together — a lawyer can advise on the right sequence for yours.

STEP 05

Understand there are time limits

Raising an objection to a will generally needs to happen within a limited window, and the specifics depend on which registry or court is involved. Don't delay getting advice on this.

STEP 06

Know what happens if the will is set aside

If a will is successfully challenged and set aside, the estate is generally distributed under whichever default rules apply to the deceased — which depend on their religion and, for non-Muslims, any election of home-country law. A lawyer can explain what that means in practice for your family.

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Tell Us About Your Situation.

The matter type is already set to Wills, Estates & Inheritance, so the form begins with your location. LEXNOVA is a lawyer-matching service, not a law firm — any legal advice comes directly from the independent legal professional you are connected with.

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FAQ

It depends on the route used — registration with one of the recognised registries (DIFC, ADJD, or the Dubai Courts through their notary public), proper execution, and witnessing requirements specific to that route. A lawyer can check the specific will against the relevant requirements.

It may be, depending on how it was made, but it's generally harder to prove and easier to challenge than a properly registered one.

Typically through forensic document or signature examination, comparison with other genuine signatures, witness evidence about how the will was supposedly made, and cross-checking against the relevant registry's own records.

Often, yes — many cases involve both a criminal forgery complaint and a separate civil challenge to the will's validity. A lawyer can advise on how to sequence and coordinate them.

Assets are typically frozen or held pending resolution of the dispute, though the exact mechanics depend on the assets involved and the court handling the case.

Yes, generally, though the specific time limit depends on which registry or court process applies. Get advice promptly rather than waiting.

It can still potentially be challenged, but the process and starting point differ from a registered will. A lawyer can advise on how to approach it.

This doesn't stop you raising a challenge — it's exactly the kind of situation where an independent review of the document's authenticity matters most.

Other interested heirs can generally join or support a challenge. A lawyer can advise on who has standing to be involved in your specific case.

Possibly, depending on where each asset is located and which registry or jurisdiction governs it. This is a common complication in these cases and worth raising with a lawyer early.

This is usually arranged as part of the legal process, often coordinated by your lawyer, rather than something you organise independently.

Then it stands, and the estate is distributed as it directs. Raising a good-faith challenge that doesn't succeed isn't automatically held against you, but a lawyer can advise on the specific risks in your case.

In some cases, yes — a specific clause or provision can potentially be challenged without invalidating the whole document. This depends heavily on the facts.

The estate generally falls back to whichever default distribution rules apply to the deceased, which depend on their religion and, for non-Muslims, any election of home-country law made under the federal regime.

Very. Beyond the general time limits for challenging a will, evidence can degrade and assets can be distributed or moved the longer you wait.

No — LEXNOVA is not a law firm and can't assess evidence or documents. LEXNOVA Legal Connect can help you describe what you've found and connect you with a lawyer who can properly investigate it.

LEXNOVA is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice, legal opinions, legal representation, or legal services. Any legal advice or representation is provided directly by the independent legal professional engaged by the client.

A connection or introduction does not constitute a guarantee, endorsement, or assurance of outcome. Users should independently confirm the professional's qualifications, authorization, fees, scope of engagement, and suitability.

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