Escrow for Wills and Trusts: International Perspective
Cross-border estate administration and trust fund management
Navigate the complexities of international estate settlement and trust administration with secure escrow services designed for Brazilian and cross-border matters.
Why Use Escrow for Estate & Trust Matters?
Asset Protection
Secure holding of estate assets and trust funds during probate, administration, and distribution periods.
Cross-Border Coordination
Navigate Brazilian inventário (probate) process and coordinate with international executors, trustees, and beneficiaries.
Multi-Beneficiary Management
Distribute assets to multiple heirs and beneficiaries according to will terms, trust documents, or court orders.
Dispute Prevention
Neutral third-party holding minimizes family disputes and ensures proper distribution per testamentary intent.
Estate & Trust Escrow Services
Probate & Inventário Escrow
Hold estate assets during Brazilian probate (inventário) proceedings until court approval and proper distribution to heirs. Distribute inheritance to beneficiaries only when all legal conditions are satisfied.
Trust Fund Administration & Milestone Releases
Coordinate with trustees to hold and distribute trust assets according to trust terms and beneficiary entitlements. Release funds from trusts upon reaching milestones such as age requirements, marriage, graduation, or other specified conditions.
International Estate Settlement
Manage cross-border estate assets including Brazilian property owned by foreign decedents or foreign assets of Brazilian estates. Coordinate with global executors, trustees, and banks to ensure proper international compliance.
Inheritance Advance Payments
Hold advance payments to heirs pending final probate approval and ensure proper accounting against final distributions.
Estate Sale Proceeds & Asset Liquidation
Secure proceeds from estate property sales or asset liquidation until proper authorization from probate court or all heirs for distribution. Hold funds during estate asset sales to ensure fair distribution.
Will Contest & Dispute Protection
Hold estate funds during will contests or disputes until legal resolution and final distribution authority is established. Ensure executors, trustees, and beneficiaries fulfill specific requirements before assets are transferred, providing transparency and reducing conflict.
International Estate Challenges We Address
Brazilian Inventário Process
Brazil requires formal court-supervised inventário (probate) for all estates. We coordinate with probate courts, Brazilian legal counsel, and foreign executors to ensure proper asset holding and distribution per court orders.
Foreign Decedents with Brazilian Assets
When a non-resident dies owning Brazilian property, complex cross-border probate issues arise. We hold assets and coordinate with home-country executors and Brazilian legal representatives to navigate both legal systems.
Brazilians with Foreign Assets
Brazilian estates that include foreign property require coordination between Brazilian inventário and foreign probate. We manage funds and facilitate proper cross-border distribution.
Tax Compliance & ITCMD
Brazilian inheritance tax (ITCMD - state tax) and federal obligations must be satisfied before distribution. We coordinate with tax advisors to ensure compliance before releasing funds.
Multi-Jurisdiction Trusts
Trusts established in common-law jurisdictions (US, UK, etc.) holding Brazilian assets require specialized coordination. We work with trustees to ensure proper asset management across legal systems.
Forced Heirship Rules
Brazilian law mandates certain heirs receive minimum shares (legitimate portion). We ensure distributions comply with both testamentary intent and Brazilian forced heirship requirements.
How Estate & Trust Escrow Works
Initial Consultation
We review estate documents, probate proceedings, or trust terms to understand distribution requirements and legal obligations.
Asset Receipt
Estate or trust assets (cash, property sale proceeds, distributions) are deposited into our secure escrow account.
Legal Coordination
We work with probate courts, Brazilian legal counsel, trustees, and executors to verify proper authority and distribution terms.
Tax & Lien Clearance
Coordinate payment of ITCMD (inheritance tax), creditor claims, and outstanding obligations before distribution.
Beneficiary Verification
Confirm identity and entitlement of all heirs and beneficiaries per court orders, will terms, or trust documents.
Controlled Distribution
Release funds to beneficiaries according to proper legal authority, with full documentation for probate court and tax reporting.
What We Manage
Estate Planning: With vs. Without Professional Escrow
See the difference professional escrow services make
Feature
With Brazil Escrow & Title
Without Escrow Protection
ASSET PROTECTION
Asset Protection During Transition
Beneficiary Verification
Professional & Documented
Informal
Claims Protection
Legally Managed
Unmanaged
LEGAL COMPLIANCE
Succession Compliance
Brazilian & International Law
Not Verified
Tax Optimization
Expert Guided
Self-Taught
Document Verification
Attorney Specialist
Family Manages
INTERNATIONAL PLANNING
Cross-Country Coordination
Tax Treaty Compliance
Verified
Not Verified
International Transfer Support
BACEN Expert
EXECUTION PROCESS
Professional Neutrality
Conflict Potential
Dispute Resolution
Neutral Third Party
Family Courts
Record Keeping & Documentation
Complete & Secure
Varies
How It Works
Clear 5-step timeline for estate and trust administration
Open Escrow
Review will/trust instructions; establish distribution conditions and timeline
Beneficiary Verification
Verify beneficiary identities; executor authority validation; cross-border tax checks
Asset Deposit
Transfer estate assets to escrow; debt settlement; tax and RDE-IED coordination
Settle Obligations
Pay outstanding debts; resolve estate taxes; obtain inventario clearance if applicable
Distribute & Close
Distribute assets to beneficiaries; all parties receive closing documentation and receipts
Nationwide Coverage
From Rio to São Paulo, Florianópolis to Brasília
The Crisis That Escrow Can Solve
Litigation statistics reveal a massive need for preventive title and escrow services in Brazil
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to Start?
Open your escrow account or schedule a consultation
