Fiji (FJ)
A tropical South Pacific hub with English-language administration, strong tourism and NGO sectors, rich iTaukei and Indo-Fijian cultures, and a relaxed but paperwork-heavy expat lifestyle.
Estate & Inheritance in Fiji
Wills, intestacy, inheritance tax, and cross-border estate planning for expats.
Fiji succession planning should be done with a Fiji lawyer if you own Fiji property, have FNPF balances, run a Fiji company, or have a blended/cross-border family.
Intestacy — What Happens Without a Will
If you die without a will, Fiji succession law determines who inherits local assets. This may not match your home-country expectations, especially for unmarried partners or blended families.
Types of Valid Will
Fiji will
WillA will drafted for Fiji assets and executed under Fiji law.
Must meet formal execution requirements
Recommended for Fiji land, company shares and bank/FNPF coordination.
International separate situs will
Fiji assets willSeparate will covering Fiji assets only, coordinated with your home-country will.
Valid if carefully drafted to avoid revoking other wills
Best for expats with assets in multiple countries.
Home-country will only
Foreign willMay be recognised but can require resealing/probate and legalisation steps.
Recognition depends on conflict-of-laws and document formalities
Can slow Fiji bank/property transfers.
Forced Heirship
Fiji does not have a civil-law mandatory reserved share for children. However, dependants may apply under family provision legislation, and customary land rights plus foreign forced-heirship rules can still affect cross-border estates.
EU Succession Regulation (Brussels IV)
EU Succession Regulation does not apply in Fiji. EU nationals should coordinate EU law elections with Fiji local asset planning.
Inheritance Tax
Fiji does not have a broad inheritance tax comparable to some European systems, but probate, transfer, CGT, stamp duty and foreign estate taxes may apply.
| Relationship | Tax-Free Allowance | Tax Rate (above allowance) |
|---|---|---|
| Spouse/children | No Fiji inheritance-tax allowance system | No general inheritance tax; other transfer taxes may apply |
| Other heirs | No Fiji inheritance-tax allowance system | No general inheritance tax; probate/transfer costs possible |
| Foreign estate | Home-country rules apply separately | Could be taxable overseas |
Get advice on Fiji probate, land transfer, FNPF nominations and home-country estate tax.
Cross-Border & Multi-Country Estates
Use separate coordinated wills, keep asset lists, name beneficiaries where allowed, and plan for documents to be legalised/apostilled/translated.
Certificate of Inheritance
Probate or letters of administration may be needed before banks, land registry or companies release Fiji assets.
Will Registration
Fiji does not have a centralised national will registry. Keep originals with your lawyer and ensure your executor knows where the will is stored.
Living Will & Healthcare Power of Attorney
Prepare advance medical directives and powers of attorney in both Fiji-usable and home-country formats where possible.
Useful Links
Estate & Inheritance
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