The UK’s Trusted Probate Specialists
The starting point is which Country did the Deceased live ?
The UK has a Colonial Probates Act. This lists the Countries that are able to have their probate resealed in the UK. In summary, resealing probate involves an application being made to our UK Probate Courts, once undertaken this then enables an overseas grant to be used in the UK.
When making an application to reseal and overseas grant, various documents need to be lodged with the Courts including a full inheritance tax return as well as Court sealed copies of the grant issued in the Country where the Deceased was living. What is important to appreciate is that only those countries listed under the Colonial Probates Act can have their probate resealed in the UK. Examples of Countries which are listed under the Colonial Probates Act are :-
- Australia
- New Zealand
- South Africa
- Hong Kong
- Singapore
- Canada
If resealing is not possible, then a specific application is required to our probate Courts for an order seeking that a Grant be issued to the person entrusted with the overseas estate. Examples of countries in which resealing is not possible include the US, Ireland, Spain.
If you need help with resealing probate in the UK, we can help. We have a team dedicated to undertaking reseal probate applications. Please contact Tim Murden on 01482 429985, or via email at tim.murden@tmsolicitors.co.uk
