The Inside Scoop on International Wills How They Work, and How to Create One
If you own property in multiple countries, an international will can be a great solution for handling your estate planning needs across borders. An international will, however, isn’t a standardized practice between countries — as such, you’ll need to be careful in how your will is created to ensure its efficacy in both California and a foreign country. Over the years, there have been a number of attempts to harmonize estate planning law between jurisdictions. One such attempt was the 1973 convention providing a Uniform Law on the Form of an International Will (aka the Washington Convention), which aimed to standardize the requirements for a will that is legally valid and accepted between countries. Each country, however, has its own specific probate laws and statutes governing trusts, estates, and wills. As a result, there is still a degree of diversity in the acceptance of foreign or international
wills in any given jurisdiction. Only a few countries throughout the world and about half of U.S. states have adopted standards similar to the Washington Convention. This means acquiring a will that is accepted internationally can be difficult — but by no means impossible. If you sign an international will in accordance with the California Uniform International Wills Act, which contains the requirements under the Washington Convention, then it applies to assets held in foreign countries that are members of the Washington Convention. The main requirements, as indicated in Probate Code section 6380 and following, are:
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A certificate in the exact form of California Probate Code section 6384 must be signed, dated, and attached to the will; The will must be for only one person; The will is signed on every page, and at the end; and,
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Every page of the will must be numbered.
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The will must be in writing;
If you’re seeking an international will to plan for your assets across multiple countries, you can always turn to our office for help.
The will must be signed in front of two witnesses and a legally authorized person (an attorney is fine);
Apple Cranberry Crisp
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If you’re feeling old-fashioned, treat yourself to this warm and bubbly dish. Nothing says Thanksgiving quite like a classic apple recipe.
Inspired by TasteOfHome.com
Ingredients • 3 cups peeled and chopped tart apples • 1 1/2 cups cranberries • 3/4 cup packed brown sugar, divided
• 1 tbsp lemon juice • 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour • 1/3 cup butter, cold • Vanilla ice cream (optional)
“Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated.”
Directions 1. Preheat oven to 375 F. 2. In a large bowl, combine apples, cranberries, 1/4 cup brown sugar, lemon juice, and cinnamon. 3. Grease an 8-inch baking dish and pour the mixture into it. 4. In a small bowl, mix flour and the remaining brown sugar. Cut in cold butter until the mixture is crumbly. Sprinkle this over the fruit. 5. Bake uncovered for 25–30 minutes or until the topping is golden brown and the filling is bubbly. If desired, serve with vanilla ice cream and enjoy!
— Confucius
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