Expats can use wills, trusts, foundations and insurance-based beneficiary structures to pass wealth to their heirs, but one arrangement may not be suitable for every asset.
An investment portfolio, overseas property and private business can each require a different succession route.
Cross-border inheritance becomes more complicated when the person leaving the wealth, their assets and their intended beneficiaries are connected to different countries.
Download the full guide to compare wills, trusts, foundations and insurance-based beneficiary structures for cross-border inheritance.
It includes their advantages and limitations, the assets they may suit, and a decision flow for comparing your options. Complete the short form to access the PDF.
Email hello@adamfayed.com and WhatsApp +44-7393-450-837 if you have any questions. The information in this article is for general guidance only, does not constitute financial, legal, or tax advice, and may have changed since the time of writing.
Adam is an internationally recognised author on financial matters with over 830 million answer views on Quora, a widely sold book on Amazon, and a contributor on Forbes.
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Why does cross-border inheritance require additional planning?
Different jurisdictions can have their own succession, probate, property ownership and tax rules. Beneficiaries may also live somewhere entirely different from the person leaving the inheritance.
Planning ahead can establish a clearer route for transferring each major asset and reduce avoidable administrative problems for heirs.
The appropriate structure is partly determined by what is being passed on.
A will may be enough for a relatively straightforward estate. Trusts can provide greater control when assets need to remain under management for beneficiaries. Foundations may suit substantial family wealth requiring longer-term governance.
For eligible cash, funds, stocks and bonds, an insurance-based structure with named beneficiaries may offer a simpler alternative to establishing a bespoke trust.
It generally cannot directly hold assets such as a home or operating private business, so those assets may require separate arrangements.
How can expats choose an inheritance structure?
Start by mapping the major assets, where they are located, who owns them and who should eventually receive them.
Then consider whether beneficiaries should receive each asset outright or whether continuing management is required.
The Cross-Border Inheritance for Expats guide compares the main structures, their advantages and limitations, and includes a decision flow for matching different types of wealth with potential succession arrangements.
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