Dealing with an estate in another country might sound like it requires several trips, appointments, and a lot of in-person paperwork. Fortunately, that isn’t necessarily the case. Much of the probate resealing process can usually be handled remotely.
What Is Probate Resealing?
Probate resealing is a process that allows a grant obtained in one country or jurisdiction to be recognised in another. This can become necessary when someone dies with assets in more than one country. For example, a grant may have been obtained where the person lived, but additional authority could be needed before property, money or investments held elsewhere can be dealt with. Rather than restarting the entire probate process, an eligible foreign grant may be submitted to the relevant court for resealing. GOV.UK confirms that certain foreign grants can be resealed under the Colonial Probates Acts, while grants that cannot be resealed may require a fresh UK grant.
Do You Need To Attend In Person?
The paperwork and supporting documents can often be prepared and submitted without the executor or administrator travelling to the country where the reseal is required. This can make a significant difference when the person dealing with the estate lives overseas.
There may still be documents that need to be signed, certified or provided in their original form. Additional paperwork could also be requested, depending on the estate and the grant being resealed. The GOV.UK practitioner guidance specifically identifies applications involving resealing under the Colonial Probates Acts as a type of probate application requiring the paper process.
How Long Does Remote Probate Resealing Take?
There isn’t a single timescale that applies to every application. Delays can occur if documents are missing, further information is requested, or complications arise with the estate. For a straightforward case, getting the paperwork right from the beginning can help avoid unnecessary hold-ups.
Probate resealing can therefore often be managed from abroad without the personal representative having to travel. However, it’s worth checking the requirements for the particular jurisdiction.
Read more information on probate registries, probate and professional estate administration. Explore our latest guides for practical advice on managing an estate, dealing with international assets, applying for probate and carrying out your responsibilities as an executor.
International probate can be complex, but the right guidance makes a significant difference. For expert support, contact UK Probate Reseals on 020 8150 2010.
