International probate happens when the deceased lived in one country but owned assets in another. For example:

• UK nationals who owned assets abroad
• Foreign nationals who lived in the UK but were resident overseas for tax purposes
• Expats who retained property and assets in the UK

International probate is more complicated than domestic probate as the authority granted to an executor or administrator in one country may not automatically be recognised in another country. 

For example, if a grant of probate is issued outside of the UK, the grant usually needs to be “resealed” by the Probate Registry before it can be used to deal with property, investments and bank accounts in the UK. When assets are located in multiple jurisdictions, your solicitor will have to coordinate a number of different representatives and court permissions. 

By its nature, international probate will also involve at least two sets of taxes to pay, i.e. UK taxes and those of the relevant foreign jurisdiction(s). Navigating the different tax regimes alone can be time-consuming, but our experienced solicitors have the specialist knowledge to assist. We have particular depth in UK/US probate matters and can help UK executors and beneficiaries ensure the deceased’s wishes are carried out efficiently when dealing with assets across the pond.

If your loved one had interests in more than one country, get in touch. Our cross-border probate team can offer expert advice on international probate, property sales, trusts, taxation and wealth management structures with optimum efficiency and the minimum of fuss.

Probate property sales can involve different procedures than other property transactions. While an executor can place a property on the market immediately, they will need to obtain a Grant of Probate before they can complete the sale. The executor may have to balance their desire to sell the property quickly against achieving a good price; they also must accept the highest offer for the property which can add to the complexity of a sale.

The sale of property during probate may have Inheritance Tax consequences and may trigger a charge for Capital Gains Tax if the property’s value rose since the person died. CGT is not normally payable by the estate where property is transferred straight to a beneficiary. In any event, it’s important to consider the tax aspects of your particular sale to ensure you are not paying more tax than necessary.

Our probate solicitors work hand-in-hand with our real estate team and are experienced in dealing with both residential and commercial property sales. We can help you manage any probate property sale quickly and efficiently, optimise your timing, and advise on the tax implications to ensure that your estate is not paying more than it needs to.

Sometimes, the beneficiary of an estate may want to redirect their inheritance away from themselves and towards someone else – for example, by gifting part of their legacy to charity or another person.  This is possible with a Deed of Variation.

WHAT IS A DEED OF VARIATION?

A Deed of Variation is a legal document that allows one or more of the beneficiaries to change their entitlement under the will or under the intestacy rules (if there is no valid will). 

As long as the Deed of Variation is completed within two years of the date of death, the changes will be treated as if they were written into the will for inheritance tax purposes.

WHY WOULD YOU WANT TO VARY A WILL AFTER DEATH?

While everyone’s situation is different, the most common reason for signing a Deed of Variation is to distribute assets more equitably. Here are some examples: 

• A beneficiary does not need their inheritance so chooses to redirect it to someone else
• The will does not reflect the current family or personal circumstances, such as a new relationship or grandchildren who were born after the will was written
• The family wants to provide for someone not covered by intestacy rules, such as unmarried partners
• Donating to charity
• To save Inheritance Tax and/or Capital Gains Tax, allowing more money to pass to the beneficiaries

This is not a complete list. Our probate solicitors can help you understand the implications of varying a will and how that can be achieved in your situation. 

WHAT CHANGES CAN I MAKE?

Beneficiaries can only make changes to their own share of the inheritance, for example by:

• Giving away some or all of their share
• Redirecting specific assets to other people
• Setting up a trust.

Since beneficiaries can only deal with their share, there are certain changes that cannot be made. For example, a beneficiary cannot unilaterally decide to give themselves a larger share of the estate, change other people’s inheritance, or remove or replace the executors or guardians named in the will.

Subject to these restrictions, the exact terms of the Deed of Variation can be tailored to fit your specific situation. 

WHAT IF THE BENEFICIARIES CANNOT AGREE?

Often, the beneficiaries will come together and alter everyone’s inheritance in one document to achieve a fair result. Before making any changes, it’s important that everyone understands the consequences. 

This includes the executor, who may have a higher Inheritance Tax bill to pay.

If the beneficiaries and executor cannot agree on the changes, then you may need the help of a dispute resolution specialist to help you resolve the disagreement. Our experienced probate solicitors can help you navigate whatever situation you find yourself in and advise the best way forward.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO GET A DEED OF VARIATION?

Provided all parties agree, it usually takes 2-4 weeks to complete a Deed of Variation. If any of the beneficiaries are not legally able to sign the Deed, such as if they are minors or mentally incapacitated, an application to the Court is needed which can add to the timeframe. 

For tax reasons, you must complete the changes within two years of the person’s death. However, the sooner you sign the Deed of Variation, the better. The executor will need to provide a copy of the deed to HMRC so that the estate can be taxed correctly. 

If you want to use a Deed of Variation, it’s important to get legal advice. The wording of the deed must be precise, and certain conditions must be met for it to be legally binding. Our probate solicitors can help you make sure your documents are completed correctly and the changes you’re making are best for the estate.