Cross-Border & International Estate Planning

If you own assets in more than one country — a holiday home in France, investments in the US, or property in Ireland — your estate is subject to the laws of multiple jurisdictions. Without specialist advice, your assets may not pass as you intend.

We advise on cross-border estate planning — including wills that cover assets in multiple jurisdictions, EU succession regulation, and international inheritance tax planning. Chester-based, acting across Cheshire, North Wales and England and Wales.

SRA Regulated

STEP Member — Darren Steele

Free Initial Consultation

International Reach

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No obligation — talk through your options first. Costs explained clearly.

Who this is for

Overseas property owners

You own a holiday home, investment property, or land in another country. The succession rules in that country may differ significantly from English law — and your English will may not be effective for those assets.

Expats and internationally mobile clients

You have lived or worked abroad and have assets, pensions, or financial interests in multiple countries. Your domicile and residence status affects which country's succession and tax rules apply to your estate.

Families with international connections

Your family members are based in different countries. You want to ensure your estate plan works effectively across all the relevant jurisdictions.

Business owners with overseas interests

Your business has operations, assets, or shareholdings in other countries. We advise on how to address these in your will and succession plan.

What we advise on

Domicile and residence analysis

Your domicile — not just your residence — determines which country's succession rules apply to your moveable assets. We advise on your domicile status and its implications for your estate plan.

English will covering overseas assets

We advise on whether your English will can effectively cover your overseas assets — and when a separate will in the relevant foreign jurisdiction is needed.

EU Succession Regulation

EU Regulation 650/2012 allows EU citizens to elect for the law of their nationality to govern their estate. We advise on whether this election is appropriate for your circumstances.

International inheritance tax

You may be subject to inheritance tax in more than one country. We advise on the interaction between English IHT and foreign succession taxes — and on double tax treaties that may provide relief.

Coordinating with overseas lawyers

Where a separate foreign will is needed, we work with overseas lawyers to ensure your estate plan is coordinated and effective in all relevant jurisdictions.

The team advising on international estates

Darren Steele

Senior Private Client Executive · STEP Member

International Estate Planning

Darren has worked in the legal sector since 1998 and has been a STEP member since 2011. He advises clients with assets in multiple jurisdictions on international estate planning — including the interaction between English law and foreign succession rules.

Laura Kirton

Wills & Probate Solicitor · 10 Years Qualified

Cross-Border Wills

Laura advises clients with overseas assets on how to structure their wills to cover all their assets — and when a separate foreign will may be needed. She works with overseas lawyers where required to ensure the estate plan is effective in all relevant jurisdictions.

David Stahler

Wills, Trusts & Estates Executive

Estate Planning

David is our first point of contact for clients with international assets enquiring about estate planning. He brings a warm, personable approach to what can be a complex subject.

Nikolina Vukovic

Legal Executive — Wills, Trusts & Estates

Wills & Estate Administration

Nikolina supports executors dealing with cross-border estates — including obtaining recognition of English grants of probate overseas and coordinating with foreign lawyers on the administration of overseas assets.