Inheritance & Probate Law · Europe
Administer an Estate Across Borders With an International Probate Lawyer Who Coordinates It All
When a deceased person’s assets sit in more than one country, the probate process multiplies — separate procedures, separate documents and separate rules that all have to fit together. We match you, free of charge, with a vetted lawyer who handles international probate across Europe every day, so the estate is administered correctly in every jurisdiction that matters.
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- Lawyers across the EU & EEA
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Who this is for
International probate is not one process — it is several, running in parallel under different rules
International probate is the administration of a deceased person’s estate when that estate involves more than one country. Rather than a single procedure, it typically becomes a set of parallel processes: the will may need to be recognised or re-certified in each relevant jurisdiction, and property, accounts and investments held abroad each have to be gathered, valued and transferred according to local rules. An executor or administrator may find they have duties in several countries at once, each with its own paperwork, taxes and deadlines, while the succession itself is governed by a single law that must be identified first. If you have been named to administer an estate that reaches across borders, or you are an heir trying to understand why a foreign estate is taking so long, the coordination — not the law itself — is usually the hardest part.
Why international probate stalls
Every border adds a process,
and every process has its own deadlines.
The will, the assets and the administrator each have to satisfy more than one legal system, and a gap anywhere in the chain stops everything.
The will must work everywhere
A will valid in one country may need re-certification, translation or a local equivalent before it authorises anything in another, and until that happens the foreign assets stay locked.
Multiple administrations at once
Real estate and accounts held abroad typically require separate procedures in each country where they sit, run on different timetables and under different rules than the main estate.
Executor duties across borders
An administrator can owe legal duties in several countries simultaneously, with little guidance on how to reconcile them — and a misstep in one can expose them to liability in another.
What you get
An international probate lawyer who runs every thread at once
We only match you with lawyers experienced in administering estates that span more than one European country.
One coordinated administration
Your lawyer oversees the whole estate across every relevant country, sequencing the steps so that recognition, valuation and transfer happen in the right order.
Recognition of the will everywhere
The will’s validity and the administrator’s authority are secured in each jurisdiction, with translations, certifications and local filings arranged as needed.
Foreign assets gathered and transferred
Property, accounts and investments held abroad are identified, valued and moved to the correct beneficiaries under each country’s local rules.
Cross-border tax and filing handled
Your lawyer manages the estate’s reporting and tax obligations in each relevant country, using available reliefs to avoid paying twice on the same assets.
Coverage
International probate lawyers across Europe
Because these estates span jurisdictions, the right support is a lawyer who can coordinate the process across all the countries involved. We match cases touching the following and beyond:
Frequently asked
International probate — common questions
What is international probate?
It is the process of administering a deceased person’s estate when that estate involves more than one country. Instead of a single procedure, it typically requires the will to be recognised and the assets gathered, valued and transferred in each jurisdiction where they are located.
Do I need probate in every country where assets are held?
Often yes, or at least a local equivalent. Assets such as real estate or bank accounts held abroad commonly require a procedure in that country before they can be accessed or transferred, even when one law governs the overall succession.
How is the will recognised in another country?
This varies. In many cases a will valid where it was made is accepted elsewhere, but some countries require translation, certification or a local grant or equivalent before the executor can act on foreign assets. A lawyer can handle these steps for you.
Can one lawyer administer the whole estate?
In most cases a lawyer experienced in international probate can coordinate the entire administration from one point of contact, working with local specialists only where a specific filing, registration or court step is required in another country.
Which country’s courts deal with the estate?
It depends on the governing law and where the assets are located. Under the EU Succession Regulation, many cross-border successions within Europe are dealt with by the courts of one identifiable country, but assets abroad may still need local handling.
What are my tax obligations on an international estate?
Each relevant country may impose its own inheritance or estate taxes, though treaties and reliefs often reduce double taxation. A lawyer can map the obligations across jurisdictions and advise on the most efficient approach to the settlement.
Free case review
One process, every jurisdiction covered
Tell us which countries the estate touches and we’ll connect you with a lawyer who administers international probate cases like yours — free of charge, with no obligation to hire.