Los Angeles, Calabasas, Westlake Village and San Fernando Valley, CA International Estate Planning Firm
International assets add a layer of complexity that many domestic estate plans simply ignore. A client may have a perfectly adequate California revocable trust covering a home in Calabasas and brokerage accounts in the U.S.—while a condominium in another country, a foreign bank account, or an expected inheritance from overseas sits entirely outside the plan.
The cost of that oversight can be colossal: duplicate probate proceedings, unexpected taxes, years of delay, and family conflict at precisely the moment when clarity matters most.
When Domestic Documents Are Not Enough
A U.S. trust or will does not automatically control foreign real estate. Some countries impose restrictions on who may inherit property; others require a local court proceeding even when a valid American will exists. If your documents were prepared without considering foreign law, your heirs may discover that the property they expected to receive must be sold, transferred through a lengthy local process, or divided according to rules you never chose.
Taxes, Reporting, and Penalties
Cross-border estates may trigger tax obligations in more than one jurisdiction. Reporting requirements for foreign financial accounts add another dimension: failure to disclose can result in penalties that far exceed the value of the account itself. Planning is not only about who inherits—it is about making sure the structure you have in place complies with the rules on both sides of the border.
Prevention Is Less Expensive Than Repair
Coordinating international planning at the outset is almost always less costly than untangling problems after a death. We recommend a full inventory of foreign assets, a review of how each is titled, and—when appropriate—coordination with counsel in the relevant foreign jurisdiction.
Steelyard Consulting regularly assists families with ties to Israel, Europe, Latin America, and other regions. If you hold assets abroad or expect a foreign inheritance, please contact us for a complimentary consultation. ← Back to Articles/Awards