Probate query

[susiwong]

I am executor for a family member who died last year, and we have finally - after over a year of stress - managed to sell the house. In the next couple of weeks I will be settling the estate, but some of the beneficiaries live abroad. How simple is it to send their money abroad? Can I just send it through international bank transfer, or do I need to do anything else eg to take account of the exchange rate, or any transfer fees?

When we received inheritance from Australia, the solicitor facilitating the probate - not the executor - sent the money to individual accounts via bank transfer. There wasn’t a house sale involved thought - not sure if that makes a difference.

I was in a similar situation and was able to send some through intentional bank transfer and larger amounts I sent by visiting the branch. All of my transactions were stopped for potential fraud (even the one through the branch) so make sure you have plenty of time when you start the transaction.
I charged the beneficiary the transfer fees as I don’t see it’s an estate expense and there may have been a fee when the funds were received, depending on their bank.

I went into my bank and sent the money by international bank transfer.
I then had a telephone interview ( quite tough questions ) with the banks fraud department.
I had to provide evidence of where the money came from. I Provided copy of will , death certificate,probate , investment and savings accounts showing the total amount of money etc.

When I sent large funds electronically through my bank I had to provide my ID passport (the amount triggered extra checks on their customer to stop theft) and fill out form to say where the funds were (for money laundering checks).