If you are seeking help with the release of UK assets if someone has died in Switzerland we can help.
The starting point is to appreciate that Switzerland and the UK have very different legal procedures that operate after someone has died. In the UK the process, is known as probate and ends with our Courts issuing a legal document known as a Grant of representation to the named Executor if a will exists. Inheritance tax operates on estates above £325,000
By contrast Switzerland has very a different inheritance process. Firstly, the responsibility of dealing with the administration rests with the Executors, beneficiaries and heirs while secondly, there are forced heirship rules which provide mandatory rules as to who can inherit an estate
To administer the estate the Courts will issue a certificate of inheritance to the Heirs or alternatively a certificate of executorship.
Due to the very different legal system in the UK, applying to obtain probate in the UK for a person who has died in Switzerland can be complicated.
If you are an Administrator, Executor or lawyer from Switzerland and need help releasing UK assets, we can advise you on the entirety of the UK process please contact Tim Murden at tim.murden@tmsolicitors.co.uk