GRANTS OF PROBATE/LETTERS OF ADMINISTRATION/RESEALING FOREIGN GRANTS IN THE CAYMAN ISLANDS

Testate Estates

Where the deceased dies testate (leaving a Will admissible for probate in Cayman), the documents which must be lodged with the Cayman court to obtain the grant of probate are as follows:

  1. The Will or a court certified copy.

  2. A true copy of the death certificate certified as such by the issuing authority. If the death certificate is other than in English, it will be necessary to submit an official translation.

  3. The application for the grant.

  4. The affidavit of executor.

  5. A letter of authorization.

  6. The grant for sealing.

  7. An inventory (this must be lodged within one year of the issue of the grant).

Intestate Estates

Where the deceased died intestate (without leaving a Will admissible for probate in Cayman), in addition to the documents mentioned at 2 to 7 above, the court is likely to require the following to be lodged:

  1. If the deceased's domicile is other than the Cayman Islands, an affidavit of law given by a lawyer qualified in the jurisdiction of the deceased's domicile. This is usually prepared by us based on the written advice of the foreign lawyer.

  2. A bond of surety given by some third party. Such bond is usually for an amount double that of the value of the Cayman estate.

Resealing A Foreign Grant

Where a grant of probate or letters of administration has already been obtained from a foreign court in respect of the deceased estate, it may be possible for this to be resealed by the Cayman court. However, such grants must be in a similar form to those issued by the Cayman court. The procedure is similar to an application for a Cayman grant of probate or letters of administration although it will also be necessary to lodge a court certified copy of the grant.

It is generally the case that the documents listed at 3 to 9 above would need to be prepared by a Cayman lawyer and then, in the case of the affidavits, sworn before a notary public/British Consular official. Our costs in respect of obtaining/resealing a grant are usually in the region of US$6,000.00 to US$8,000.00 plus disbursements which are usually in the region of US$500.00.

Cayman Islands

Grant Stein, Partner

Andrew Miller, Partner

Anthony Partridge, Associate

Garry Mason, Associate

Jersey

Peter Harris, Partner

David Pytches, Associate

British Virgin Islands

Christopher McKenzie, Partner

Hong Kong

Carol Hall, Partner

Dubai

Rod Palmer, Partner

London

David Whittome, Partner

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.