When a person has died abroad, and left UK assets such as property, money in a bank account or shares, the Executor named in the will must obtain the legal authority to manage the assets left by the deceased, and so requires a legal document called a Grant of Probate.
A grant of probate is the official authorisation for the deceased person’s personal representatives, to manage the estate left behind, and administer it according to their Will.
The grant is usually obtained in the country where the person died and sealed in the country in which it is issued.
When someone has died outside of the UK but has assets in England or Wales to administer, the executor of the will, or appointed legal professional, can request that foreign Grant of Probate is resealed.
Resealing is a legal procedure completed by the English Probate Registry to reseal grants of probate issued by foreign Probate Registries.
The resealed grant can then be used to realise the assets in England and Wales.
The method of resealing is quicker than having to apply for a UK Grant of Probate afresh. However, the original grant must be issued in a country recognised by the Colonial Probates Act. The countries whose grants can be resealed in the English Probate Registry include Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Singapore, Kenya, Canada, The Gambia, Gibraltar, Jamaica, Zambia, Zimbabwe and South Africa.
We do not charge for initial advice. Once we are given details of the estate, we will provide you with a fixed price to obtain the probate.
For more information, please contact Julie Bell. Solicitor. JBell@readroper.co.uk
