Shares and probate
If someone owned shares at the time that they died, then these will be included as part of their estate and they will need to be sold or transferred as part of the estate administration process. The estate representatives will need to first value and, if necessary, verify the shareholdings in the estate as part of the process of applying for Probate and calculating any CAT tax liabilities.
Once the valuation is provided and Probate obtained, then they will need to engage with the various share registrars or transfer agents to actually comply with their legal, financial and other compliance requirements, to formally identify themselves and complete the removal of the shares from the deceased owner’s name, and get them transferred to new owners, or sold.
The involvement of multiple stakeholders, including beneficiaries, co-owners of shares, multiple share registrars and transfer agents and differing countries of incorporation, can complicate the process of realising the value of shares. Engaging a professional company like Finders International can offer invaluable assistance, navigating these issues and helping the estate to fulfil its duties. The International Asset Services team is a specialist Finders team focused on shares, foreign bank accounts and investment accounts; contact us to discuss your matter.
The global estate
Nowadays, it is very usual for Irish estates to feature at least one overseas asset – and perhaps more. This happens for various reasons – including working for a major multinational headquartered in Ireland, and being part-paid in Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) shares; a bank account opened abroad while someone was temporarily living and working in that country; and more.
In a digital world, it is relatively easy to acquire assets overseas; but the involvement of multiple stakeholders, including beneficiaries, co-owners of shares, multiple share registrars and transfer agents and differing countries of incorporation, can complicate the process of realising the value of shares once a shareholder has died.
The legal and bureaucratic obstacles they cause can be a real headache for estate representatives and time-poor practitioners; which is where Finders comes in. Our International Asset Services team has many years of specialist experience with foreign assets, helping to sell, transfer or recover shares, and close bank accounts and investment portfolios.
We offer a comprehensive share transfer and sale service, assisting the estate throughout the process with document preparation, submission of all papers to the transfer agent and remaining involved until the shares are transferred, or sold.
Engaging a professional company like Finders International can offer invaluable assistance, navigating these issues and helping the estate to fulfil its duties and wind up the estate.
Louise Levene
International Assets Manager
To get started with a bespoke quote tailored to your requirements, or just to discuss your matter, please contact us or use the form below, in confidence and without obligation.
Explore a range of related services that we offer
Finders can have the Medallion Guarantee stamp affixed as part of the wider work of transfer or sale of shares, or on a standalone basis.
We manage the sale or transfer of shares and securities held by deceased estates, ensuring smooth and compliant transactions.
We assist in obtaining probate recognition in overseas jurisdictions, enabling access to foreign-held assets.
We handle the closure of international accounts and repatriation of funds to the estate efficiently and securely.
Finders can have the Medallion Guarantee stamp affixed as part of the wider work of transfer or sale of shares, or on a standalone basis.
We manage the sale or transfer of shares and securities held by deceased estates, ensuring smooth and compliant transactions.
We assist in obtaining probate recognition in overseas jurisdictions, enabling access to foreign-held assets.
We handle the closure of international accounts and repatriation of funds to the estate efficiently and securely.
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