Resealing a Grant of Probate

Resealing a grant of probate is a legal process required when a person dies domiciled overseas but has assets located in England and Wales. In such cases, the personal representative may need to obtain legal authority to manage or realise those assets. This authority, known as a Grant of Representation, may have already been issued by the court in the jurisdiction where the deceased was domiciled.

However, to deal with assets in the UK, a UK-recognised authority might still be necessary. This is where a ‘Reseal’ is required. A Reseal is the formal recognition of the foreign grant of probate by the UK courts, allowing the personal representative to administer the deceased’s UK-based assets.

For example, if someone dies domiciled in Australia but leaves behind a UK bank account, the Australian grant of probate might not be recognised by the UK financial institution. In such cases, the institution would require an English grant to manage the UK assets. Instead of applying for a completely new grant, the Personal Representative can request a Reseal of the Australian grant in the UK, thereby gaining the necessary authority to deal with the UK assets.

At Scott Bailey, our specialist team are on hand to guide you through the legal process. Alexandra Bridle, Paralegal, has extensive experience in cross-border estate administration and has dealt with numerous applications to reseal Grants of Representation for many jurisdictions including Australia, South Africa and New Zealand.

If you require assistance with a reseal or would like any further information, please do not hesitate to contact us today.