Managing Estates Across Jurisdictions (Part Two)

In an increasingly globalised economy, STBB’s estate planning specialists note a growing volume of will-related queries from clients with offshore assets, including immovable property. In the final instalment of our estate-focused two-part series, Senior Associate and estate law expert, Caryn Avenant, explores the vital necessity of having separate wills in each territory in which one holds assets. Noting the cumbersome nature of administering an estate across multiple jurisdictions, Caryn discusses the potential delays and unwanted costs of holding a single ‘worldwide will’. In addition, she explains the pitfalls of automatic succession, the legal implications of being married in accordance with the laws of another country, and the documentary challenges associated with nominating a foreign executor.