Cross-border inheritance & estate administration
Legal assistance with inheritance and estates spanning multiple jurisdictions, including documentation, probate coordination and the transfer of assets across borders.
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Establish the estate’s position before distributing assets
After a death, the immediate task is to establish the relevant family and estate records, any will and the jurisdictions concerned. The process for proving authority to act is distinct from the later transfer of assets to beneficiaries.
DIFC probate involves an application for a grant and subsequent implementation through the relevant institutions. Other estates follow different procedures. A foreign will or court order should not be assumed to operate automatically in every country.
How the firm can assist
Hyam El Hachem Law Firm can assist heirs or estate representatives with jurisdiction mapping, document review and coordination of the legal process. Matters requiring local representation or specialist advice can be arranged with appropriately authorised professionals.
- Identify relevant wills, family records, assets, liabilities and potential disagreements.
- Review the documents supporting the authority of an executor or estate representative.
- Coordinate enquiries, required translations and the sequence of applications and transfers.
- Death certificate, any will and existing court documents.
- Family details and an initial estate asset and liability list.
- Relevant banks, companies, property records and countries involved.
An initial outline is enough. Detailed records can follow through a process agreed with the firm.
Questions clients often ask
Is estate administration the same as preparing a will?
No. Planning records intentions during a person’s lifetime. Administration establishes authority and implements the applicable arrangements after death.
Can assets in several countries be dealt with through one application?
That depends on the jurisdictions and assets. Recognition, registration and local procedural steps may still be needed even where one will addresses the wider estate.
Define the mandate
Clarify your objectives, the jurisdictions involved and any immediate deadline.
Review the legal position
Examine the relevant documents and identify the decisions requiring advice.
Agree the next steps
Set out the work, professional responsibilities and practical sequence.
Experience with a personal point of contact
Hyam El Hachem is an Attorney at Law with the Beirut Bar Association. Following her training at Awada Tyan Law Firm, she established her own firm in 1996 and expanded her practice to the UAE in 2005.
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