At the start of 2026, the UAE introduced an important change to its family laws. Through a new federal decree law, the country officially lowered the legal age of majority from 21 to 18 years of age. Although the move may seem administrative at first glance, it has clear and practical consequences for families and estate planning. In particular, it affects how Wills, guardianship, and legal responsibility are treated under the law. This reform is part of the UAE’s wider effort to modernize its legal system and align it with international systems. For anyone drafting a Will in the UAE , particularly expat families with children, this change warrants careful attention.
Understanding What the Law Changes
The new law came into effect on 1st January 2026, lowering the age at which an individual can attain the legal age of majority from 21 to 18. In simple terms, once someone turns 18, they are assumed to have full legal capacity unless the law states otherwise.
Under the revised framework, individuals aged 18 and above can:
- Sign contracts on their own
- Manage their own financial and legal affairs
- Be held fully accountable under civil law
This aligns the UAE with widely accepted global norms, where 18 is recognized as the legal age of majority in most jurisdictions. Importantly, the reform does not operate in isolation. It intersects with existing family law, inheritance rules, and court procedures, making its impact particularly relevant in the context of Wills.
The Broader Legal Context
Historically, the age threshold of 21 years has played a key role in guardianship matters. Parents were presumed to remain legal guardians of their children’s affairs, both legal and otherwise, until that age. Courts routinely supervised the management of assets inherited by minors, often appointing guardians or placing funds under judicial control.
Lowering the age of majority to 18 changes this position.
The law now recognizes legal independence earlier. From a family law perspective, it changes the point at which guardianship naturally ends.
Why This Impacts Wills in the UAE
By design, Wills are forward-looking documents. They anticipate life events, legal thresholds, and family transitions. When a core legal definition, such as who qualifies as a minor, changes, the ripple effects are very evident.
Under the new law, children are legally minors only until the age of 18 and not 21. This affects how Wills will be drafted in several ways:
1. Guardianship Clauses May Need Updating
Many Wills currently appoint guardians by explicitly stating “until the child reaches the age of 21.” Under the updated legal framework, such wording may no longer reflect the default position of the law. While parents can include financial safeguards and trusteeship structures beyond 18, the assumption of full guardianship until 21 is no longer automatic.
2. Financial Control and Asset Access
Previously, inherited assets intended for children were often structured to remain under guardianship or court supervision until the age of 21. Now, beneficiaries may gain direct legal control at 18, unless the Will explicitly states otherwise.
3. Reduced Court Oversight
Once a beneficiary reaches 18 years of age, courts may no longer treat them as a minor for inheritance purposes. This could shorten the period of judicial oversight, altering how estates are administered and closed.
4. Guardianship and the Key Practical Changes
The most sensitive impact of the reform lies in guardianship planning. For parents of younger children, the role of a guardian remains critical if something were to happen to one or both parents while the child is still considered a minor. However, the duration and scope of that guardianship now have clearer statutory limits. In essence:
- Guardianship responsibilities are expected to end at 18
- The child is legally recognized as capable of managing their own affairs thereafter
- Any extension of financial oversight beyond 18 years of age must be deliberately structured within the Will
This makes precision in Will drafting more important than ever, as an outdated guardianship clause may no longer achieve the protection parents intend.
Next Steps for Families
This reform does not invalidate existing Wills overnight. However, it does change how certain clauses could be interpreted in practice, particularly those dealing with guardianship, age-based conditions, and financial control. For expatriate families in the UAE, now is a timely moment to:
- Review existing Wills for age-based provisions
- Update guardianship language to reflect the new legal threshold
- Ensure asset distribution plans align with the child’s legal status at 18
Legal reforms of this nature are rarely just symbolic. They shape how courts interpret intention, how families are protected, and how smoothly estates are administered during already difficult times.
At MakemyWill, we see Wills not as static documents, but as legal instruments that evolve alongside the law. The reduction of the age to 18 highlights the importance of periodic Will reviews. A well-drafted Will should do more than comply with evolving laws. It should anticipate tomorrow’s realities and remove uncertainty while simultaneously providing clarity. If your Will was drafted under the old framework or if guardianship is a central concern, contact the MakemyWill experts who will help take a closer look at your Will.
