Cross-border estate administration

Date of Case:2018
Key Issue(s):

The client was non-UK resident and acting in the administration of a non-UK resident and domiciled deceased’s estate and there were assets in the UK that required a grant of probate.

What We Did:

Karen successfully obtained probate in the UK using a foreign Will and dealt with the administration of the UK estate.

Scope of Work:

High-net worth individuals – estate and tax planning

Case Details:

The client was based in Europe and acting in the administration of a deceased’s estate who was domiciled and resident in Europe at the time of his death. The deceased had executed a foreign Will which Karen used to apply for probate in the UK and subsequently carry out the administration of the estate which involved dealing with the deceased’s assets, including bank accounts and real estate, and liaising with lawyers dealing with the assets he held in other jurisdictions. Karen advised on the Inheritance Tax liability of the estate and dealt with the distributions in accordance with the Will.

Process:

Karen explained the process of applying for a UK grant of probate using a foreign Will and advised the client that an Inheritance Tax return would need to be completed and filed with HM Revenue and Customs, which included questions relating to the deceased’s non-UK domicile status. Karen prepared the return and the application for probate and dealt with the Inheritance Tax applicable to the deceased’s moveable assets and advised the client on how and when the liability relating to the UK real estate should be paid. Once the grant of probate had been issued, Karen collected in the deceased’s assets and dealt with any liabilities and expenses before arranging for the estate to be distributed in accordance with the Will.

Outcome:

The client’s duties as administrator of the estate were carried out and the deceased’s assets distributed in accordance with his wishes under his Will.

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