Last Will And Testament

[Nizzlers]

hi all

 

I am looking for some advice about making a will.

Me and my partner are both British and live in Sydney.  We are permanent residents and just had a little girl over here, hence the need to get my backside in gear and make a will.

I have property and assets in the UK and assets in Australia.  Do I need to make a will in both countries or would making a will in Australia be enough?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.  Cheers.

[Keith and Linda]

Yep a will in each country, covering only the assets country in is the way to go for everything to be smooth running come the need. We have some Kiwi rellies whose father had money in UK cost them thousands $ and months to get it released and that was just money not property.

[Alan Collett]

One Will in Australia is the minimum to be aiming for.

Better though is a Will in each jurisdiction - ie one in Australia for your Australian assets and one in the UK for your UK assets.

This will avoid the need for executors to "re-seal" the Australian Grant of Probate Will in the UK, with the additional time and financial outlay that would result:

http://www.tmsolicitors.co.uk/reseal-of-australian-probate-in-the-uk/

Consideration of tax issues is also relevant in drawing up Wills - IHT in the UK, and (potentially) CGT in Australia.

Please feel able to send a private message to me if you would like to discuss.

I also have solicitor contacts in each country - again please send a PM to me if you would like details.

Consider also having Powers of Attorney drawn up at the same time.

Best regards.

[Nizzlers]

Thanks Alan and Keith - this is great.  I'll look more into this and if I have further questions, I'll be in contact.

Really appreciate it.