| With summer nearly upon us many will leave the UK | | | | lengthen the time taken to administer of your estate. |
| to holiday at their holiday homes abroad. Second | | | | France, for example, has particularly complex |
| homes (or even third homes) are increasingly | | | | succession laws which are very different to those in |
| common both at home and abroad. The ownership | | | | the UK and if you own property it may not pass to |
| of foreign assets drastically raises the complexity of | | | | who you intend it to without expert legal help. Many |
| your legal affairs, particularly relating to who inherits | | | | countries including France and Germany have a |
| them and the issue of inheritance tax, as more than | | | | ‘forced heirship' law which means that regardless |
| one country's set of rules could apply. | | | | of the terms of your Will certain categories of |
| When someone dies an English Will may suffice in | | | | relations are automatically entitled to a certain |
| dealing with some foreign assets. But expert legal | | | | proportion of the estate. Furthermore, there can be |
| advice is needed if you own property abroad | | | | significant tax penalties if you leave assets to |
| because of probate issues and tax legislation: what | | | | someone who is not a family member. |
| happens to the property depends on the law of that | | | | You may find yourself as an executor of an estate |
| country. | | | | where foreign property is an issue. How probate is |
| You may be advised to have a Will in more than one | | | | handled and how the property is dealt with depends |
| country, however there is the risk that one Will could | | | | on whether there is only an English Will or whether |
| accidentally revoke the other Will with the upshot | | | | there is a foreign one. This is a complicated area of |
| that when you die your wishes are not fulfilled. | | | | law and you should take expert legal advice from |
| Some countries have double taxation treaties with | | | | within the country that the property is held and in |
| the UK but often properties cannot be transferred | | | | the UK to minimise the risk of problems. |
| without having probate in the country in which the | | | | If you need assistance with Probate services or |
| property is. In such cases, the succession law and | | | | making a will have a look online at the services that |
| legislation of that country may apply. Consequently | | | | are available. |
| the ownership of foreign properties can considerably | | | | |