• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
logo

The Edwards Law Firm

Estate Planning For All Generations

  • phone-icon (904) 215-3550
  • phone icon (904) 672-7600
  • Schedule a Free Consultation
  • Home
  • Who We Are
    • About Our Firm
    • Attorney and Staff Profiles
  • How We Can Help
    • Business Owners & Asset Protection
    • Estate and Gift Tax Figures
    • Family-Owned Businesses & Farms
    • Incapacity & Caregiver Support
    • LGBTQ Estate Planning
    • Medicaid & Elder Law Planning
    • Pet Planning
    • Probate & Trust Administration
    • SECURE Act
    • Special Needs Planning
    • Wills & Trusts
  • Elder Law
    • Are You A Caregiver?
    • Coping With Alzheimer’s
    • Emergency Medicaid & Nursing Home Planning
    • Guardianship & Conservatorship
    • Hospice Care
    • Medicaid Planning
    • Veteran’s Benefits
  • Resources
    • Docubank
    • Estate Planning Resources
      • Estate Planning Checkup
      • Definitions
      • Reports
      • Incapacity Planning Definitions
      • Is Your Estate Plan Outdated?
      • Top 10 Estate Planning Techniques
    • Elder Law Reports
    • Frequently Asked Questions
      • LGBTQ Estate Planning Frequently Asked Questions
      • Incapacity Planning Frequently Asked Questions
      • Frequently Asked Estate Planning Questions
      • Trust Administration & Probate Frequently Asked Questions
    • Pre-Consultation Form
    • Special Needs Resources
    • Trust Administration
      • Bereavement Resources
      • How to Know if You Need Extra Help With Your Grieving
      • The Mourner’s Bill of Rights
      • Trust Administration & Probate Definitions
  • EVENTS
  • BLOG
  • Reviews
    • Review Us
  • Contact Us

Estate Plans and Living Abroad

February 4, 2011 by William T. (Tom) Edwards, Jr., Attorney & Counselor at Law

Having an estate plan is important, no matter what your age or where you live. Those Americans that live abroad should have an estate plan and also be aware of the estate and inheritance laws of the country where they are residing, even if the living arrangements are temporary. 

When you are making arrangements to live abroad for a period of time, likely one of the last things on your mind will be death, but it is important to understand that this is an inevitable for everyone, and there is no telling when we will be faced with it. Once someone realizes that death is a reality, they begin to see just how necessary an estate plan is. 

Even though you are an American citizen, if you are living in another country you will likely be subject to their laws, and each country does have different laws governing estates and inheritances. Some countries have very specific laws that dictate how an estate will be divided among heirs after someone dies. This is why it is very important that you become familiar with the laws of the country where you will be living, as it is these laws that will be governing your life while you are in that country. 

One way around this problem is to leave most of your assets in the United States when you move. If you only have the assets that you absolutely need in the country where you are residing, it is only those assets that that nation’s laws will govern. The rest of your assets will be in the United States and subject to U.S law. 

In addition to leaving the majority of your assets in the United States you will also want to ensure that you have plan that will cover more than just your estate. If you have minor children, you will want to ensure that you have a will that names someone as the guardian of your children. Make sure that you have a copy of this will, as well as the person you have named as guardian of your children. It is also a good idea to contact the U.S Embassy in the country where you reside to inform them that you are living in there for a time, and that you have small children with you. If something was to happen to you while living in a different country, the U.S Embassy could work with that country to ensure that your chosen guardian can take the children back to the United States. 

Obviously having an estate plan is important no matter what your circumstances, but it is very important if you are a U.S citizen that plans to live abroad.

  • Author
  • Recent Posts
William T. (Tom) Edwards, Jr., Attorney & Counselor at Law
William T. (Tom) Edwards, Jr., Attorney & Counselor at Law
Attorney at The Edwards Law Firm, P.A.
For over four decades, Tom has assisted individuals, businesses and organizations with their legal management and legal services needs.With a burgeoning practice primarily devoted to estate planning, asset protection and trust and probate administration, The Edwards Law Firm, with Tom at its helm, has evolved in the last decade to include such vital elder law issues as Medicaid planning, VA planning, guardianship and more.
William T. (Tom) Edwards, Jr., Attorney & Counselor at Law
Latest posts by William T. (Tom) Edwards, Jr., Attorney & Counselor at Law (see all)
  • How Do I Trust Thee…Part III - July 11, 2022
  • How Do I Trust Thee…Part II - July 9, 2022
  • How Do I Trust Thee…Part I - July 7, 2022

Primary Sidebar

FOLLOW US ONLINE

Footer

The Edward Law Firm

Jacksonville
3030 Hartley Road, Suite 210
Jacksonville, FL 32257
Phone: (904) 215-3550
Secondary phone: (904) 672-7600

ST. AUGUSTINE (By Appointment Only)

1750 Tree Boulevard, Suite 9
St. Augustine, FL 32084
Phone: (904) 824-1750

Map/Location

Jacksonville FL estate planning office
Map

Office Hours

Monday  8:30 AM – 5:00 PM

Tuesday  8:30 AM – 5:00 PM

Wednesday  8:30 AM – 5:00 PM

Thursday  8:30 AM – 5:00 PM

Friday  By Appointment Only

The information on this website is for general information purposes only. Nothing on this or associated
pages, documents, comments, answers, emails, or other communications should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. This
information on this website is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing of this information does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship.

  • Privacy Policy
  • | Disclaimer
  • | Site Map
  • |
  • Powered by American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys
© 2023 The Edwards Law Firm. All Rights Reserved.