Europe: Family and Matrimonial

When someone dies the task of administering the estate usually falls to their grieving friends and relatives. Often the people who knew the deceased are the people best placed to act as their executors. But sometimes things go wrong, money disappears, decisions are made that should never have been made, and by the time beneficiaries realise the full picture, the estate has suffered losses that may be significant.

UK executors and beneficiaries dealing with US assets face significant delays in obtaining IRS Transfer Certificates, with waiting times now extending to two or three years. This comprehensive FAQ addresses the critical questions surrounding Form 706-NA applications, US estate tax requirements, and the practical challenges of administering estates containing US shares and investments when the deceased was not a US citizen.

One of the most striking findings from the recent Global Family Business Think Tank was the near unanimity among experts that inheritance disputes pose a serious threat to family enterprises. Ninety five per cent of contributors agreed that disputes over inheritance represent a major risk to continuity.

Surrogacy Arrangements abroad have become increasingly popular over the years due to the affordability and relative ease of access to surrogates via commercial arrangements. In England and Wales, commercial surrogacy is prohibited. While payments beyond reasonable expenses are not generally permitted, the court retains the power to retrospectively authorise payments made in overseas surrogacy arrangements when considering a parental order.

The Family Justice Council's May 2025 guidance addresses the increasingly common practice of making covert recordings in family proceedings involving children. While smartphones have made secret recording easier than ever, the legal and welfare implications of using such evidence in court are complex and potentially serious. Understanding when recordings may be admissible, and when they might actually harm your case, is crucial for anyone involved in family proceedings.

An expert panel chaired by HHJ Hess examines the Government's proposals for reforming financial remedies, cohabitation, and inheritance law in England and Wales. Leading practitioners and academics discuss the implications of the Fairer End to Relationships consultation, bringing together diverse perspectives on these significant proposed changes to family law. The panel features specialists in pensions on divorce, financial remedies, and trust and estates law, offering insights into how these reforms could

An expert panel chaired by HHJ Hess examines the Government's proposals for reforming financial remedies, cohabitation, and inheritance law in England and Wales. Leading practitioners and academics discuss the implications of the Fairer End to Relationships consultation, bringing together diverse perspectives on these significant proposed changes to family law. The panel features specialists in pensions on divorce, financial remedies, and trust and estates law, offering insights into how these reforms could

The UK Government's consultation 'A Fairer End to Relationships' proposes significant reforms to family finance law, addressing financial remedies on divorce, cohabitation rights, and inheritance provision. Leading family law organizations and practitioners have responded with both support and concerns about codification, equal sharing principles, needs hierarchies, and protections for vulnerable parties and children.

When relationships break down after holidays, couples with international connections face complex legal challenges involving different nationalities, overseas property, and cross-border assets. Understanding jurisdiction, financial arrangements, and children's welfare becomes crucial when navigating divorce across multiple countries.