Successions in the United Kingdom

Here you will find all the information you need in order to determine which authority (court, notary, etc.) will be in charge of the succession procedure. This section contains details of the various rules governing competence and jurisdiction. It also deals with issues relating to inheritance by foreign nationals and the transfer of assets located abroad.

Here you will find all the information you need regarding the applicable law in the case of a cross-border succession. Will the laws of the country whose nationality the deceased possessed apply? Or will the succession be governed by the laws of the country in which the deceased habitually resided? Is it possible to choose the law applicable to your succession? For cross-border successions, you will also find all the necessary explanations concerning conflicts of laws rules.

Here you will find all the relevant information concerning the legal transfer of the deceased’s estate to the heirs. This section explains in particular who inherits and how much if there is no will. Finally, this chapter also contains information on the surviving partner’s rights in the case of a registered partnership or a de facto non-marital union.

The reserved portion corresponds to the part of the inheritance which devolves to certain heirs who cannot be totally disinherited. This chapter contains all the information you will need to find out which heirs are entitled to this reserved portion and how they can assert this right. Finally, you will also find information on how heirs can renounce the reserved portion to which they are entitled.

Here you will find all the information you need regarding the various forms of wills and the conditions of their validity as regards form and substance. This section also indicates whether it is possible to register your will and with which organisation.

Here you will find all the information you need on how the transfer of the deceased’s estate is arranged. This chapter sets out to answer the following questions: How is the “ succession procedure ” instituted? How can an heir’s status be verified? Is there an inheritance administration system? There is also information on whether an inventory of the deceased’s assets has been drawn up. Finally, you will find a wealth of information on the liability of heirs and joint heirs for the deceased’s debts.

Here you will find information on the death duties in force in the country concerned.