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Power of attorney - UK or Belgian?

Question

Hi All
Looking at starting a power of attorney for myself but composed in which country? My PoA would be my UK neice living in Belgium. My will is in England.
Any thoughts.
Cheers.

anon

Go and see your local notaire.

Jul 23, 2019 09:19
J

Your will is in UK implying you are in UK. Therefore the power of attorney is in the UK as well, regardless of where your niece lives.

Jul 23, 2019 09:38
kasseistamper

You should definitely go and talk to a notaris.
A UK will will not automatically apply to your property in Belgium. The advice which I was given is that I should have a will in both countries - or be intestate if that is my choice - to be sure that what I want to happen is what actually happens.

Jul 23, 2019 10:59
anon

As "J" notes above, and I missed in my first answer, is the fact that bobk100 hasn't specified where they live (and perhaps more importantly, where any assets are based).

If bobk100 is based in the U.K. they should consult a solicitor in the U.K.

If bobk100 is based in Belgium they should probably consult a notaire in Belgium (notwithstanding the existence of a UK will).

In any case, it's also not clear what bobk100 wishes this power of attorney for, if it's for financial matters, or health matters for example.

And finally, it's important to note that a Power of Attorney is completely different and separate from any will. Executing a will is the job of the executor(s) of the will.

Even if the PoA and the executor is the same person, they will have different responsibilities and liabilities depending on whether they are acting as the executor (because bobk100 is now dead) or as someone with a Power of Attorney (because bobk100 is alive but requires someone else to act for them).

Jul 23, 2019 12:27
bobk100

Hi All

Many thanks for your comments.

To clarify matters,
I am resident in Belgium with and E Card. (and very very happy to be here!)
My assets (cash in the bank) are in Belgium.
For my will purposes the beneficiaries are in UK and Belgium.
No property in either country.
The PoA is for both health and financial and the person responsible is in Belgium with dual UK/Bel nationality.

I appreciate do your comments about seeing a Notaire but, as with all professionals, I like to know have an inkling of the answer first!
Cheers.

Jul 23, 2019 15:24
anon

OK that simplifies things considerably.

1) You are in Belgium
2) The person you wish to appoint as PoA (irrespective of their nationality) is in Belgium.
3) Your financial assets are in Belgium
4) Your healthcare is presumably here in Belgium.

Speak to a notaire.

Finally - you're getting two issues mixed up and confused here, your will (which deals with you and your estate once you are dead) is completely separate and distinct from who you may or may not appoint as a PoA (which is for acting for you while you are alive).

Jul 23, 2019 15:42
kasseistamper

I can only repeat that you must see a notaris. And I speak from careful experience of dealing with my late wife's property and preparing for my own future.
The internet - this site or otherwise - is not the place to seek advice about something so important.
The rules regarding what you may leave in a will and to whom you may leave it are totally different between UK and Belgium and, when the person in the UK who has been promised that they will inherit from you, discovers that Belgian rules don't permit it, it's too late.

Jul 23, 2019 16:24
wezembeekwanderer

http://www.berquinnotarissen.be/nl/
This notary based in Brussels is expert at inheritance law, especially for UK/Belgium questions.
There is no charge for discussion with them, nor for advice. They charge only when they actually draw up papers. Prices for PoA and wills are very reasonable..

Jul 24, 2019 00:35
J

You need the PoA set up under Belgian law.
Get advice on a Belgian will as well - inheritance tax is going to need careful planning.

Jul 24, 2019 09:18
wezembeekwanderer

As you don't have property here, life is much easier. A house has to be left to your children (if you have any) and a wife has the right to continue living in it after you die, until she dies.
For your cash, if you die tomorrow, the estate pays maximum tax. If you give away some in advance of death, you can pay much less depending on how long you survive. Sliding scale.
The notary I advised above will explain all the options at no cost. Any notary will do the same. The advantage of the one I have mentioned is that they have specialists in international advice.

Jul 24, 2019 10:49

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