[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 22, Volume 1]
[Revised as of April 1, 2002]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 22CFR72.21]

[Page 354]
 
                       TITLE 22--FOREIGN RELATIONS
 
                     CHAPTER I--DEPARTMENT OF STATE
 
PART 72--DEATHS AND ESTATES--Table of Contents
 
Sec. 72.21  Responsibility if will intended to operate locally exists.

    If a will is discovered which is intended to operate locally, and a 
local or domiciliary representative named by the decedent qualifies 
promptly and takes charge of the personal estate, the consular officer 
should assume no responsibility for the estate (Secs. 72.18 and 72.19), 
and should not take possession, inventory and dispose of the personal 
property and effects or in any way serve as agent for the local or 
domiciliary representative. However, if the laws of the country permit 
and if the local or domicillary representative does not qualify 
promptly, the consular officer may have take protective action in the 
interest of the estate to the extent of placing his seal on the personal 
property and effects of the decedent, such seal to be broken or removed 
only at the request of the local or domiciliary representative. 
Furthermore, he should see that the foreign authorities accord due 
recognition to the American interests involved and provide proper 
protection for the property under local procedures. If prolonged delays 
are encountered by the local or domiciliary representative in making 
arrangements to take charge of the personal estate, the consular officer 
may request that the will be offered for probate, if in his judgement 
such action is advisable in the interest of the estate.