KSV - Wills, Successions & Estate planning

Clients who are not nationals of the country in which they are resident, or who have assets in several different countries must address numerous international law issues in planning their succession.

KSV’s advises its clients to prepare their international inheritance taking into account the applicable civil law and tax law issues, and other related matters. KSV analyses the client’s current status and assets, and then tailors specific solutions to achieve as far as possible the client’s goals and intentions for their estate. KSV assists its clients to understand and anticipate possible legal disputes, areas of uncertainly, and the potential unintended consequences which, in the absence of proper planning, could arise when administering the estate.

KSV answers its client’s questions before they embark on new investments into real estate or moveable assets, and provides a comprehensive analysis of the direct implications of any planned investments on the settlement of a future international succession. Such advance planning gives high net worth clients the required information to evaluate how to spread their assets and ensure the estate is passed down in the most efficient way possible.

KSV assists its clients who intend to put in place testamentary dispositions by advising them on the relevant rules of private international law in order to:

• Identify any source of future disputes which could result from conflicts and interference between applicable laws in different jurisdictions,
• Identify and manage the potential tax implications.

Preparing an international succession requires coordination and proper implementation in the different legal systems which are involved. Proper planning ensures that the intended dispositions are correctly executed, and that the international tax aspects are correctly managed so that the client’s assets are transferred in a tax-efficient manner.

Relatives, heirs and legatees in an international succession often require assistance to understand the applicable laws and procedures which apply in multiple foreign jurisdictions. KSV advises and assists the relatives, heirs and/or legatees to understand the civil and tax law issues involved in each different succession process. This includes advising them on their rights, and also advising them on what steps to take and when during the inheritance process. Where required, KSV coordinates for its clients with the notaries, lawyers, accountants, tax advisors and other professionals involved in the process. Thus, KSV provides the relatives, heirs and legatees with a single point of contact addressing the complex laws and practices of multiple foreign jurisdictions.