LEGAL SERVICES FOR EXPATS LIVING IN THE UK AND ABROAD

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1 LEGAL SERVICES FOR EXPATS LIVING IN THE UK AND ABROAD

2 Legal Services for Expats Living in the UK and Abroad Pannone offers clear, friendly, straightforward, good advice to its family law clients. The team draws upon other departments at the firm to bring commercial, tax, property and private client expertise to family matters. It also houses particular expertise in private and public children law. Chambers UK Guide 2013

3 FAMILY LAW ISSUES An ever increasing number of people now choose to live abroad. Sometimes they move abroad permanently. On other occasions the move is temporary, often because of work. Whether you are a British expat living abroad, or a non-british expat living in the UK, here at Pannone we recognise that the international aspects of your life can make some legal issues more complex, and we have therefore put together a specialist legal team to help you. We have significant experience assisting clients with international elements to their family legal problems. This includes clients based abroad or considering moving abroad, clients who have assets or interests abroad, and clients whose partner or spouse live abroad or are intending to move abroad. Divorce If you currently live abroad but your spouse lives in England or Wales you are likely to be able to get divorced here. Also if you live in England or Wales but are not British, you may be able to divorce here. It may be financially advantageous for you to get divorced in one country rather than another, so it is important that you obtain specialist advice regarding this matter before you commence divorce proceedings. This is known as forum shopping. Pre-nuptial Agreements If you are planning to get married, either here or abroad, and are considering obtaining a pre-nuptial agreement, we can prepare such a document for you and advise you of its legal standing, should your marriage sadly come to an end. We can also advise you on how an English court will treat a pre-nuptial agreement entered into by you if you married abroad. Children If your relationship ends, there may be issues regarding with which parent your children should live and how often they should see the other parent. We can help you sort out arrangements for your children including disputes regarding the country where your children should live. We can also help you obtain a court order and register it abroad, or help you register an order from a court in another country here, to make sure that you are fully protected. Parental Child Abduction Unfortunately the abduction of a child to another country can happen when an international couple separate. This is a very complex area of law which requires immediate and expert legal assistance. Here at Pannone we have experts in this field who have good links with lawyers and agencies abroad to assist in this area. 3

4 Legal Services for Expats Living in the UK and Abroad Pannone LLP came highly recommended by a close friend to guide and assist me with my recent divorce. From the outset they were friendly, understanding and professional. Family Client Key Contacts Pannone has the largest team of family lawyers in the North West of England, which means that we have the experience and expertise to handle even the most complex situations. We are ranked as number one for divorce and family law by the two leading guides, Legal 500 and Chambers UK Guide. Several of our partners are named in those publications as leaders in the field of family law. Andrew Newbury is a member of the International Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers ( a worldwide association of practising lawyers who are recognised by their peers as the most experienced and expert family law specialists in their respective countries. Andrew Newbury Head of Family Telephone: andrew.newbury@pannone.co.uk Fiona Wood Partner Telephone: fiona.wood@pannone.co.uk Vicki McLynn Partner Telephone: vicki.mclynn@pannone.co.uk

5 Wills Trusts and Estate Planning for International Clients Our Wills, Trusts and Probate team has a wealth of experience dealing with clients who relocate abroad from England and Wales, including those who have assets both here and abroad. We provide a comprehensive service, incorporating estate planning and administration, trust law and inheritance tax planning. Many of our lawyers are members of the Society of Trusts and Estate Practitioners, an internationally recognised, specialist body. Key Contacts Liz Braude Head of Wills, Trusts and Probate Group Wills If you live abroad, but have assets in this country, it may assist you to have an English will to deal with the assets that you have here. Under English Law, the rules relating to the transfer of assets on death are determined either by the country of domicile or, in the case of land and buildings, the country where the land is situated. This is a complex area of law that we can explore with you to ensure that you have wills in the appropriate countries and that you understand how your assets will pass over on death. Administration Of Estates We are able to administer estates involving foreign assets with input from our International Property department and our links with Pannone Law Group. Inheritance Tax Planning If you move abroad you may still be liable for UK Inheritance Tax on your worldwide assets on death. We can advise you of the Inheritance Tax implications of your plans and consider how to mitigate exposure to UK Inheritance Tax. Telephone: liz.braude@pannone.co.uk Jane Lee Legal Director Wills, Trusts and Estate Planning Group Telephone: jane.lee@pannone.co.uk We appreciate that the death of a loved one can be a very difficult time. We can help with the practical issue of dealing with the deceased s estate, which is often more complex if there are assets abroad. 5

6 OVERSEAS PROPERTY Dealing with property abroad can often be difficult if you are neither fluent in the language nor familiar with that country s legal system. Pannone is one of only a handful of UK solicitors practices specialising in overseas property and succession matters. For over 23 years the International Property department has dealt with both French and Spanish property and succession matters in-house with a team of multilingual staff including a dual-qualified Spanish abogado/ solicitor, offering advice and assistance to a worldwide client base. Through a wealth of international contacts and networks, we can offer assistance in over 28 countries globally. The Pannone International Property group can provide a single point of contact for individuals and professionals involved in the conveyancing and probate processes in France and Spain, helping to ensure the smooth progress of a transaction and to avoid delays, for example, through a breakdown in communication, language difficulties or lack of knowledge of the legal process. We also assist with estate and tax planning issues pre and post property purchase and in the event of an owner s death or divorce. Our ad hoc advice service provides legal and practical support to clients, including express power of attorney and NIE (Spanish foreigners ID number) application services. Key Contact Lindsay Kinnealy Head of International Property Telephone: lindsay.kinnealy@pannone.co.uk

7 I would like to thank you and your team at Pannone for making the whole experience of purchasing my property in France a pleasure and a remarkably stress free experience. I would certainly use the services of Pannone again and would not hesitate in recommending you to friends and colleagues in the future. S Kelly, Surrey 7

8 Contact us Manchester 123 Deansgate Manchester M3 2BU Tel: London 1 Quality Court Chancery Lane London WC2A 1HR Tel: PRIMARY CONTACTS Andrew Newbury Head of Family Telephone: andrew.newbury@pannone.co.uk Fiona Wood Partner Telephone: fiona.wood@pannone.co.uk Vicki McLynn Partner Telephone: vicki.mclynn@pannone.co.uk Liz Braude Head of Wills, Trusts and Probate Group Telephone: liz.braude@pannone.co.uk Jane Lee Legal Director Wills, Trusts and Estate Planning Group Telephone: jane.lee@pannone.co.uk Lindsay Kinnealy Head of International Property Telephone: lindsay.kinnealy@pannone.co.uk Pannone LLP is a limited liability partnership registered in England and Wales with number OC Authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. A list of members is available for inspection at the registered office. We use the word partner to refer to a member of the LLP. Directors are not members of the LLP.