At the last count there were over 5.5 million brits living abroad, Spain tops the list with an estimated 412,000 UK-born people living there in 2023.
We have seen a steady rise in professional service needs for expatriates (expats) living in and out of the UK. Over the last few years we have had clients often needing to be represented both inside the UK and out.
Through our own services and our international connections we have been able to assist our clients with specialist expat legal advice in areas such as Spain, France, Germany, Holland, Cyprus, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, India and the USA.
Those facing a relationship breakdown are increasingly finding that their situation involves an international element. International divorce can be complicated as the financial outcomes of a divorce can vary significantly from country to country. Even if your divorce goes ahead in England and Wales, you may have to deal with different jurisdictions to deal with overseas assets.
You should seek advice right at the outset to find out whether you are eligible to divorce in England and Wales.
With increasing globalisation, more families have international connections, leading to complex scenarios when relationships break down. UK courts frequently deal with issues like cross-border divorces, child custody disputes involving children residing abroad, and the recognition of foreign marriage agreements.
When an individual dies, their assets (e.g., properties, bank accounts, investments, stocks and shares, valuable personal possessions) and their liabilities are calculated as at the date they died. If the individual had assets which were not in the UK at their death, such as overseas investments, bank accounts or a holiday home, their Estate would be a 'cross-border' Estate.
Inheriting money from abroad can involve two main considerations: domicile and inheritance tax. While the money itself usually isn't subject to UK inheritance tax if the deceased was never domiciled in the UK, your own domicile status matters.
Our specialists assist individuals seeking to enter the UK for employment, study, and family purposes, on both a short-term and long-term basis. We assist individuals throughout the visa application process.
With a deep understanding of the complexities that arise when conducting business across borders, we are your trusted advisors for navigating the intricate legal landscapes of diverse jurisdictions.
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At the meeting we will explain to you the divorce process in depth. As a snapshot, the party who wishes to petition for the divorce will need to lodge the petition at the court, and it will then be ‘issued’ by the court and a copy sent to the respondent.
This is not an easy question to answer as laws differ from country to country. The laws in one country might be more or less advantageous to you. It is therefore very important to take advice as early as possible.
From a UK legal perspective, you will generally need to register your business with the appropriate authorities, obtain any necessary licenses or permits, comply with tax regulations, and adhere to relevant industry-specific regulations.
To trade in the EU, post-Brexit, UK businesses need to adhere to new customs and VAT regulations. This includes obtaining an Economic Operator Registration and Identification (EORI) number.