Overseas Contentious Probate & Trusts

Living overseas should not prevent you from protecting your interests when an inheritance dispute arises in England or Wales.

Whether you are concerned about an inheritance, disagree with how an estate is being handled or find yourself involved in a dispute with relatives living in another country, you may have legal options available to you. International contentious probate claims can involve sensitive family relationships, substantial financial interests and decisions that need to be made across different time zones.

At Harrison Drury, we help overseas clients address inheritance disputes. Our contentious probate and trusts specialists provide a reliable point of contact, taking responsibility for progressing your matter, explaining developments clearly and helping you make informed decisions without unnecessary travel.

We understand the importance of knowing that your interests are being represented when you cannot be there in person. Our approach is built around accessible communication, practical advice and a clear understanding of what you want to achieve. As a firm recognised by Chambers UK and Legal 500, and accredited under the Law Society’s Lexcel scheme, we are committed to delivering high standards of legal service.

If you are living overseas and need advice about a disputed estate in England or Wales, contact our overseas contentious probate and trusts team. We will take the time to understand your circumstances, explain your options and help you establish the most appropriate next steps.

How we can help

Harrison Drury’s contentious private client specialists deal with all forms of disputed estates and trusts in England and Wales on behalf of parties resident in locations across the world. 

Whilst it does not matter where you may live, we can assist where: 

• One or more of the assets are situated in England and/or Wales 

• The person who has died was domiciled in England and/or Wales 

• A grant of representation has been issued or is capable of being issued in England and/or Wales. 

We are unable to deal with estates anywhere else in the UK. 

Typical issues concerning English and Welsh Estates 

If you are looking at this page then the chances are that you are resident overseas and may fall into one of the following categories: 

• An existing beneficiary of an estate in England and/or Wales. 

• Someone who might have expected to have been left something by someone who has died, either under a Will or, where there is no Will then under the Intestacy Rules 

• A potential beneficiary who has not been left enough for their maintenance. 

• The parent or guardian of a child under 18 who has been left nothing or something insufficient from an estate, typically that of another parent. 

• A spouse of the person who has died, regardless of whether you were estranged or divorced. 

• A possible beneficiary promised certain gifts by the person who has died upon their death but who did not receive that gift(s) under the Will or Intestacy Rules. 

• A family member or friend of the person who has died concerned by the damaging actions of other family members in the UK. 

• Someone having concerns about the way the Will was prepared. 

• An existing beneficiary of an estate against which someone else has advanced a claim. 

• An executor appointed under a Will or someone entitled to a grant under the Intestacy Rules. 

• A creditor of the person who has died. 

• A beneficiary of an estate where you have concerns about the way the executor is dealing with matters or where you feel you are being kept in the dark. 

You may be feeling isolated and unable to exercise control as the estate is dealt with by English lawyers or by remote family members who are not communicating with you. 

You may feel that as a person living abroad, you do not have any legal standing to make a claim against an estate in England and/or Wales or to have a say about any claim made in England and/or Wales that effectively competes against your rights under the Will or under the Intestacy Rules. 

Harrison Drury has, over many years, acted for clients who are resident abroad either in pursuing their own claims against estates over here or in resisting claims made against them which would impact upon their own beneficial entitlements. 

To speak to our contentious probate & trusts specialists please call us on 01772 258321 or make an enquiry below to see how we can assist you.