The UAE has enacted Federal Decree-Law No. (25) of 2025 Issuing the Civil Transactions Law (the Civil Transactions Law), which will come into effect in June 2026. A fundamental change introduced by the new law is the reduction of the age of legal majority from 21 to 18 years. This reform has important implications for clients with existing wills, guardianship arrangements, and ongoing probate matters, as well as for those who have not yet implemented estate planning structures.
(a) Age of Majority Reduced to 18 (Article 84)
From June 2026, a person will be deemed to have full legal capacity if they:
• Have reached 18 Gregorian years;
• Are of sound mind; and
• Are not legally interdicted.
This replaces the previous position under which individuals were generally treated as minors until the age of 21, with guardianship and court supervision continuing until that age.
(b) Impact on Guardianship Provisions in Existing Wills
Many existing UAE wills:
• Appoint guardians on the assumption that children remain minors until age 21; and/or
• Provide that children’s assets remain under guardian or court control until that age.
• Under the new law:
o Guardianship will generally terminate at age 18; and
o Age-based assumptions in existing wills may become legally misaligned
Clients should review whether existing guardianship provisions in their wills remain appropriate or require amendment.
(c) Testamentary Capacity at Age 18
With full legal capacity commencing at 18, individuals aged 18 and above may validly execute a will under UAE law.
This is particularly relevant where young adults:
• Are expected to receive inheritances;
• Hold assets or business interests; or
• Are part of local or cross-border family or succession arrangements.
(d) Probate and Release of Assets Previously Held for Minors
Historically, in many probate proceedings, assets were held under court supervision until beneficiaries reached age 21.
Under the new regime:
• Beneficiaries aged 18 will no longer be considered minors; and
• Assets held solely due to minority status may become eligible for earlier release.
Ongoing probate matters should be reviewed to assess whether applications for earlier release of assets can be made.