CROSS BORDER ESTATE PLANNING LAYWERS - ITALY & UK

We start with a call where you explain what you own and who matters most. We listen, then map out which Italian laws touch your assets, where the risks sit, and what a fully protective plan would look like. You finish the call knowing exactly whether you need an Italian will, a choice of law declaration, or a wider succession structure. There is no charge and no obligation.

We gather every relevant detail about your properties, accounts and family situation across both countries. Then we produce a plain‑English analysis that shows where Italian inheritance tax applies, whether forced heirship could override your wishes, and how the UK and Italian pieces fit together. You get a clear strategy and a fixed fee proposal before anything moves forward.

We draft your Italian will to work seamlessly alongside your existing home‑country documents. If needed, we also prepare a professio iuris to elect English law under EU Regulation 650/2012, or structure ownership to respect Italy’s forced heirship rules while protecting your intentions. Every document is explained line by line before you sign, and we handle the legal formalities for you.

Once the paperwork is signed, we file everything with the relevant Italian authorities, update cadastral records, and manage any inheritance tax declarations that are already due. If you are transferring assets or restructuring ownership, we complete the conveyancing and registration remotely. You track progress through short email updates, never a wall of Italian legalese.

Laws change, property values shift, families grow. We keep your estate plan under review so it never drifts out of alignment. Whenever you need an update, a new will, or just a quick check because something in your life has changed, the same team picks up where we left off. No new learning curve, no extra friction.

The rules have changed in 2026. Our guide explains exactly what applies now.

Italian inheritance procedures and cadastral requirements have been updated in late 2025. If you are sitting on an inherited property and wondering whether the new rules affect your sale timeline, taxes, or paperwork, this guide covers the current process step by step. Written by our cross‑border estate planning lawyers and updated for the latest legislative changes.

Do I really need an Italian will if I already have one in the UK?

In almost every case, yes. A UK will does not automatically govern Italian property, bank accounts held in Italy, or movable assets located there. Under EU Regulation 650/2012, Italian succession law can still claim jurisdiction over those assets. An Italian will that works alongside your existing will removes the risk of two separate probates, conflicting rules, and extra costs for your family.

What is Italian forced heirship, and can I avoid it?

Forced heirship, or legittima, means Italian law reserves a fixed share of your estate for certain relatives, typically a spouse, children, and sometimes parents. It can override the wishes you have written elsewhere. You cannot simply ignore it, but you can often elect English law through a professio iuris if your circumstances allow. Where that route is not available, we structure your estate plan to respect the rules while still protecting as much of your freedom as the law permits. Every case is different, and we explain your options clearly before any decision is made.

How much does Italian estate planning cost?

We give you a written, fixed‑fee proposal after your free assessment, so you know the cost before any work starts. A straightforward Italian will drafted to complement your UK will sits at one end of the scale; a full cross‑border estate structure with trusts, property transfers, and ongoing tax planning sits at the other. What you will never receive is a surprise invoice or an hourly billing clock you cannot see.

What happens if I die without an Italian will?

Italian succession law decides who inherits your Italian assets, and the default rules often do not match what most foreign property owners intend. Your heirs may face a more expensive, slower, and more stressful process. They will need to file an Italian inheritance declaration, pay any tax due, and complete the cadastral transfer before they can sell or use the property. An Italian will does not just protect your wishes, it protects the people you leave behind from unnecessary bureaucracy at the worst possible time.

How long does the whole process take, and how involved do I need to be?

A standard cross‑border will can be in place within seven to fourteen days from the moment you provide all the relevant information. More complex structures take longer, and we give you a realistic timeline during the assessment. Your involvement is light: one or two conversations, a document review where we walk you through every clause, and a signature. After that, we take care of the filings, registrations, and follow‑up.

Tell us a little about your situation and the assets you are looking to protect. One of our cross‑border estate planning lawyers will reply within one working day, usually sooner. No automated responses, no generic templates. Just a human reply from someone who understands both Italian and UK inheritance law.