Estate Planning for
Non-US Citizens
The concern in Estate Planning for non-US citizens is two-fold: taxation and the ability to pass assets to others.
Questions which must be asked
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How many assets of yours are located in the US.
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Next, is an individual classified as either a resident or nonresident alien? For estate tax purposes, a US resident is someone who, at the time of his/her death, is “domiciled” in the US. To be domiciled in the US means the individual intends to remain in the US indefinitely.
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Next, is the individual a former US citizen who has renounced his/her citizenship through expatriation to other nations?
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Next, is the spouse of the individual a citizen of the US?
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And finally, is there a treaty concerning tax issues between the US and the country of which the individual is a citizen?
Many issues
As you can tell, there are too many issues to be addressed with a non-US citizen to be discussed in this space. We invite you to come visit us so we may discuss your personal situation and how it can be best solved.