International Will Writing Available Now
Foreign assets, whether property, time-shares, bank accounts, investments, or holiday homes, can create complications for any U.K. Domicile. Although a British Will should suffice, needless to say it can create complications due to probate issues and HMRC legislation. Therefore, we would recommend creating an appropriate international Will.
Depending on what country you have your foreign assets held in, you may be subject to double taxation as a result of treaties with the United Kingdom. As this can be a complicated matter, we can advise you on this.
Why Choose Abacus?
Foreign assets can complicate the distribution of the estate once an individual has deceased and can delay probate by a considerable amount of time. Translation, and legal interpretation may also be required too, which we can also help with.
Because we know that having foreign assets and adding them to your Will or any trusts can be a complicated subject, we can advise you accordingly and create an appropriate International Will for you.
We will also ensure that any document we create for you is low cost, competitive and we’ll endeavour to beat any quote from elsewhere, all whilst always maintaining our professional standards.
Benefits of International Wills
Frequently Asked Questions
I split my time between the UK and another country — do I need two wills?
If you split your time between the UK and another country, you generally need a separate will for each jurisdiction where you hold assets, drafted so they don’t accidentally cancel each other out.
What happens to my UK assets if I only have a will from the country I currently live in?
If you only have a will from your country of residence, your UK assets may still be distributed according to it, but foreign wills aren’t always recognised smoothly by UK institutions and can slow down probate.
How do international wills deal with property I own in more than one country?
International wills deal with property in multiple countries either through separate wills for each jurisdiction or a single will drafted to be recognised abroad, depending on the countries involved and their inheritance laws.
Do I need a separate will for each country I own property in, or can one document cover it all?
In most cases you need a separate will for each country where you own property, though a well-drafted international will can sometimes cover multiple jurisdictions if the countries’ laws allow it.
What’s the risk of not having a proper international will if I’m a UK expat?
Without a proper international will, UK expats risk their estate being distributed under a foreign country’s default inheritance rules, delays to probate, and higher legal costs for their family.
Can an international will avoid the need for separate probate in each country?
An international will can reduce, but not always avoid, the need for separate probate processes, since many countries still require their own local grant to release assets held there.
How much does it cost to get an international will drafted properly in the UK?
An international will drafted properly in the UK typically costs more than a standard will, often from around £200 upwards, reflecting the extra research and coordination needed across jurisdictions.
I inherited property abroad — does that affect what kind of will I need?
Yes, inheriting property abroad usually means you need a will, or an update to your existing will, that specifically addresses that country’s inheritance rules to avoid conflicts with your UK will.
What should returning UK expats do about their will when they come back permanently?
Returning UK expats should review their existing wills as soon as they resettle, since a will drafted for life abroad may no longer reflect UK tax rules, domicile status, or their current assets.
Enquire Now About International Wills
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