2 wills needed if assets in the US and the U.K.?

[Mimosa1]

Hello,

DH and I are updating our wills (which leave everything to each other) and have bought a simple will writing kit, which says it's valid for the UK, where we live and have most of our assets.

However, we also have some US assets - retirement accounts (401(k) and IRA) and shares in a private company. Years ago, when I was living in the US, I drew up a will leaving my estate to my DB as I was unmarried and had no children at the time, but I do have a later UK will leaving my estate to my husband, which is the one I'm now updating.

I'm hoping wiser Mumsnetters can help with whether i need to have a separate will in the USA dealing with the disposal of any US assets or whether I can have one will in the U.K. that deals with those assets as well.

It really is a simple estate besides the US bit, which is why we haven't instructed a solicitor, but if we have to we will. Plus I'm not sure if a U.K. solicitor could help anyway for the US part?

Thank you.

Often simpler to have two separate ones. You want a UK solicitor with experience of US wills. For those taxed in the US you sometimes want special provisions in the UK will. Usually your US and UK advisers will want to work together to make sure the two dovetail.

Wills need to be made both in the UK and in the US State in which they will be executed.

Thank you, both - this is really helpful. If you have recommendations for solicitors, I'd be grateful. I don't have a family solicitor or anything like that.