The world is more connected than ever, and it is increasingly common for people to own property, investments, or bank accounts abroad. While this can be a great way of building wealth or enjoying retirement, it can also create complications when someone passes away. Administering an estate that spans more than one country, often referred to as international probate or cross-border probate, is a complex process requiring careful legal and tax expertise. At Premier Solicitors, we regularly assist clients with estates involving assets abroad or foreign nationals with assets in the UK. Our team has the specialist knowledge, international links, and language skills needed to ensure estates are managed efficiently and in line with both UK and foreign law.
International probate arises where a deceased person owned assets in more than one country, or where they were a foreign national who owned property or financial holdings in the UK. Unlike domestic probate, where a single UK grant of probate is sufficient to deal with all assets, cross-border estates often require additional steps.
Some foreign jurisdictions accept a UK grant of probate once it has been resealed or formally recognised. Others require executors to apply for a separate local probate in that country. This means the administration of international estates often involves dealing with multiple sets of laws, languages, and tax regimes at the same time.
International probate is required in a variety of circumstances. These include where the deceased was a UK national with assets abroad, such as a holiday home in Spain or a bank account in France. It also applies where a foreign national has assets in the UK, perhaps a London flat or investments. Another common example is where people living in the UK hold overseas financial accounts for tax purposes or inherited property abroad from relatives.
In all these situations, probate must be managed in a way that complies with both UK requirements and those of the foreign country where the asset is located.
The administration of estates with foreign assets is often more complex than people expect. Different jurisdictions may have succession laws that override the terms of a UK will. For example, many European countries impose forced heirship rules, requiring a certain proportion of an estate to pass to children, regardless of the wishes expressed in the will.
Language barriers can also cause significant delays, as can the need for documents to be translated, notarised, or apostilled before they are accepted overseas. Executors often have to instruct lawyers abroad to handle local probate applications, which can add expense and time. Tax is another challenge. UK inheritance tax applies to worldwide assets if the deceased was domiciled in the UK, but foreign jurisdictions may also levy their own taxes, creating the risk of double taxation unless relief under a treaty is available.
International probate requires a blend of UK legal expertise and international coordination. At Premier Solicitors, we offer exactly that.
Our legal team includes professionals who can speak different languages, particularly French and German. This allows us to communicate directly with foreign banks, lawyers, and notaries, reducing delays and avoiding misunderstandings.
We specialise in helping foreign lawyers apply for a UK grant of probate, ensuring estates with UK assets are dealt with efficiently. This is particularly valuable for international families, where the deceased lived abroad but left property or investments in the UK.
We also work closely with international tax planners, lawyers, and courts, ensuring cross-border estates are managed with a clear strategy that minimises tax liabilities and avoids conflict between jurisdictions. Our experience means we understand how to navigate resealing procedures, forced heirship rules, and double taxation issues.
Overseas grant resealing services
Where appropriate, we can streamline the recognition of foreign probate grants through our resealing service. This enables efficient administration of UK assets for estates domiciled in Commonwealth and historically linked jurisdictions.
Resealing is often a cost-effective alternative to making a fresh UK grant application and can deliver a faster resolution while maintaining full legal authority over assets in England and Wales.
Certified notary public services
Our team includes three qualified Notary Publics who authenticate and certify legal documents for use overseas. We ensure your estate documentation meets foreign jurisdiction requirements, with official seals and attestations recognised worldwide. This helps prevent unnecessary delays and reduces the risk of documents being rejected abroad.
STEP-qualified expertise
As full members of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP), our Trust and Estate Practitioners bring globally recognised specialisation and the highest professional standards to complex inheritance and succession planning matters. This expertise is particularly valuable where cross-border rules, tax considerations, or family arrangements require careful handling.
Minimising problems in cross-border estates
Although international probate is often complicated, many problems can be minimised with the right approach. Executors should seek legal advice at the earliest stage to establish whether a UK grant will be recognised abroad or whether local probate will be necessary. Gathering clear records of foreign assets, including account details and property deeds, can also make the process faster.
For those making a will, careful planning is key. Separate wills may be required in different jurisdictions to ensure local laws are respected, but these must be drafted carefully to avoid accidentally revoking one another. Premier Solicitors can work alongside international lawyers to ensure wills and estate plans are valid in all relevant countries.
International probate can seem daunting, but with the right advice and support, it is entirely manageable. Whether you are dealing with UK probate involving foreign assets, or you are based overseas but need assistance with assets in the UK, Premier Solicitors can provide the expertise and guidance you need.
Our multilingual team, international connections, and specialist knowledge mean we can handle the complexities of cross-border estates with efficiency and care. By working with us, you can be confident that your loved one's estate will be administered lawfully, fairly, and with the minimum possible stress.
At Premier Solicitors, we understand that international probate requires more than just knowledge of UK law. It demands international awareness, strong connections with foreign professionals, and the ability to communicate across languages and jurisdictions.
Whether the estate involves a property in France, a bank account in Germany, or investments in multiple countries, our team can provide clear, practical advice. We can also support foreign lawyers who need to obtain a UK grant of probate and work alongside international tax planners to resolve complex inheritance issues.
Contact Premier Solicitors today for expert guidance on international probate and peace of mind that your loved one's estate is in safe hands. For more information, please call us on 01234 358 080 or visit our contact page to send an enquiry form.
Read more blog posts which Gary has written for this website.
