International Will Writing & Cross Border Estate Planning Lawyers

If you own assets outside of the UK you want to know that they will be handled effectively after you pass away.

This includes ensuring that your wealth goes to the right beneficiaries and your estate doesn’t suffer twice for taxes. That’s why it’s important to get specialist legal advice when planning your cross-border estate to address any discrepancies and get your affairs in order now to avoid any headaches for your family later.

International Will Solicitors

At Rowlinsons, our team of highly qualified wills, trusts and estate planning solicitors have extensive experience helping clients with overseas estate planning. We’ll advise you on how to make sure your foreign assets pass to the right people after you're gone.

Our expertise gained us the Excellence in Private Client Award from the National Law Society in 2018. Rowlinsons Solicitors was also awarded Highly Commended in the Boutique Private Client Team of the Year category at the British Wills and Probate Awards 2023.

Our team includes some of the most prominent and renowned wills, trusts, and estate planning solicitors in Cheshire and members of STEP (the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners) further highlighting our commitment to offering you the best legal service.

With Rowlinsons, you get a leading full-service law firm, ready to provide you with the very best legal support while you undertake one of the most challenging tasks you’ll ever have to do.

Get in touch today for a no-obligation chat about how we can help with your international succession planning.

How will my overseas assets be distributed after my death?

You may have accumulated assets in other countries if you’ve travelled extensively, worked abroad, or simply purchased a holiday home in the sun. It’s easy to assume that by writing a will those assets are covered, but local inheritance laws may override your wishes even if you live in the UK.

Under English law, an individual has the freedom to leave their assets to whoever they want, but this is not the case in other countries. Some jurisdictions have strict rules around who inherits, including the concept of forced heirship. It’s best to check that this won’t affect you.

As each country has its own inheritance laws, British Nationals must ensure their overseas assets are covered by their will. Otherwise, these assets may not be distributed in accordance with their wishes. We have experts in international law on our team and can advise you on the best course of action to secure your assets for the benefit of loved ones.

Why write an international will?

Even if you live in the UK, your assets will be subject to the laws in the country or state where they are held. This means you need to ensure that your will covers these assets to get the outcome you want. In some circumstances, you may need a separate will if the law in the country where your assets are situated conflicts with UK inheritance law.

Personal and family relationships change over time and it’s essential that you have an up-to-date will that covers all bases and identifies who you want to benefit from your wealth. Disputes can arise between family members, especially when your wishes are not made clear to everyone involved. This can lead to added legal fees, financial issues, and emotional stress.

You don’t want to leave estate planning to chance and that includes your cross-border estate. Proper management of your international assets can make all the difference when it comes to leaving a legacy for your family to enjoy.