Yes, you can leave assets to a child. But there is one problem. A child cannot sign papers, run a bank account or sell a property. So someone else must look after the money until the child is old enough. In the UAE, how you set this up decides whether your child is protected or stuck in a long court process.

Big change: the age is now 18

Earlier, a person in the UAE became an adult at 21 years. A new law changed this recently. From 1 June 2026, the age of adulthood is 18. 

What does this mean for your plan?

• Once your child turns 18, they can usually take full control of what you left them. Courts no longer watch over the inheritance until 21.

• If your will says a guardian or trustee will act “until age 21”, that wording is outdated and may cause confusion.

• If you want your child to wait longer than 18 for the full money, you must write this clearly in your will and set up the right structure.

Imagine an 18-year-old receiving a huge sum with no guidance. Many parents never think about this. If you signed your will before this year, it is a good idea to review it.

Why just naming the child is not enough?

Writing a child’s name in your will tells everyone who gets the assets. It does not tell them who will manage the assets, who will make decisions, and who will be answerable.

Court approval. A guardian cannot do whatever they like with a child’s property. Selling a child’s assets usually needs court permission. This takes time when the family is already stressed.

Under Sharia inheritance rules, each heir’s share is fixed. So the planning is about who will manage the child’s share, not whether the child gets one. If a resident passes without a registered will, the court decides how assets are shared and who looks after the children.

A guardian and a trustee are not the same

A guardian takes care of the child: home, school, health and daily life. A trustee takes care of the money. A kind aunt may be perfect to raise your child but not the right person to manage a property portfolio.

Think about choosing two different people. Or, at least, ask a professional or another trusted relative to help look after the money. This also avoids a conflict of interest, because the person the child lives with should not be the only one controlling the child’s funds.

What to decide in your will

1. Choose a guardian who lives in the UAE for the short term. Your first choice for long-term care may be a grandparent or sibling abroad. But if something happens suddenly, someone in the UAE must collect your child from school, talk to the authorities and handle medical emergencies. Name one temporary guardian in the UAE and one permanent guardian abroad. Also explain when each one takes over.

2. Name backup people. Guardians and trustees may fall ill, move away or say no. Choose a second and third option for every role.

3. Decide when the child gets the money. The legal age is 18, but you can choose to give the money in parts. For example, some at 18 and more at 25. You can also allow the trustee to release money earlier for education, a first home or medical needs. This can help a young person start well instead of spending everything quickly.

4. Say what the money is for. Clear instructions, such as school fees, university, health costs and living expenses, give the trustee clear power and make court approval easier.

5. List your assets clearly. Write down your UAE property, bank accounts, investments and business shares. Jointly owned property, assets with a named nominee, and assets in other countries follow different rules. Assets abroad often need a separate will.

6. Register your will properly. Non-Muslim residents often register wills with the DIFC Wills Service or the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department. Both allow you to appoint guardians for minor children. DIFC usually needs independent witnesses who are not beneficiaries. 

7. Write a letter of wishes. It is not legally binding, but it explains your values and what you hope for your child’s future. This helps guardians and trustees understand your thinking.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Not updating your will after the 2026 age change.

• Naming guardians without asking if they agree.

• Forgetting a child who is born or adopted after you sign the will.

• Naming a minor directly on a life insurance policy or bank account. This can freeze the money until a court appoints someone to receive it.

• Thinking your spouse will handle everything. If both parents pass away together, or the surviving parent cannot act, your plan must still work.

Review your plan when life changes

Look at your plan again after a birth, adoption, divorce, remarriage, a move abroad or a big change in your wealth. Also check it every few years.

The bottom line

You can leave assets to a minor, and it is often a wise choice. But it only works well when the plan around the gift is as strong as the gift itself. Decide who will care for your child, who will manage the money, how long they will have control, and write it all in a will that the UAE system accepts.

Contact Us at Firm Advice

Your child’s future should not be left to chance. At Firm Advice, we help families across the UAE prepare wills, appoint guardians and set up trusts so that children are safe and your wishes are clear. Contact us at Firm Advice to talk about your family’s situation and build an estate plan that works for you and your children.