Estate Planning Challenges for U.S. Families With Overseas Assets

The PDF linkedin below explains how cross-border estate planning for U.S. persons is affected by differing legal systems, particularly common law versus civil law. It outlines how governing law is determined, how forced heirship and lack of trust recognition can alter outcomes, and why asset location, nationality, and domicile matter for succession, ownership, and administration. The analysis highlights risks tied to assuming U.S. estate concepts apply overseas.

The document also reviews tax exposure and compliance obligations linked to foreign assets, entities, and trusts, including U.S. reporting forms, inheritance and wealth taxes abroad, treaty coordination, and expatriation rules. It stresses careful drafting, entity selection, and advance planning to avoid unexpected tax costs, invalid wills, or reporting failures in multi-country situations.

Review the full PDF for detailed guidance & practical planning considerations....