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Stay informed with the latest insights, tips, and updates on international estate planning, expatriate wills, retirement income benefits, and more. Our blog is designed to provide valuable information to help you navigate the complexities of managing your estate across multiple jurisdictions.

Recent Articles

Inheritance tax (IHT) in UK and misconceptions

Inheritance tax (IHT) in UK and misconceptions

You may still be liable for UK IHT even if you have lived overseas for years. “If you die, as a UK Domicile person, your…

How a lack of estate planning leads to a Phuket property nightmare

How a lack of estate planning leads to a…

If these people had of set of efficient Trusts to hold their assets, the results would have been quite different… and they would have more…

Prince did not have a will!

Prince did not have a will!

Prince, the artist, was talented, creative, imaginative and extremely wealthy BUT had no foresight as he died without a will! The talented artist known as…

Why you need to be ahead of your estate planning

Why you need to be ahead of your estate…

Why you need to be ahead of your estate planning BIG BROTHER IS THE TAX-MAN! For those of you unaware, the USA ‘s tax office,…

FAQs for wills

FAQs for wills

Are you one of the 65% population without a will? Do you have a Will? That is, do you have a legal document that outlines your…

Things to consider when making a will

Things to consider when making a will

There are certain assets we own that can be nominated to beneficiaries directly. These should not be included in your will for distribution. Making a…

Will vs a Living Trust

Will vs a Living Trust

Here are some basic points to understand about both documents. When you pass away, you leave behind an estate composed of your real property, personal…

Estate Planning Basics

Estate Planning Basics

Five Important Things to Know. Chances are, if you’re reading this information, you’re probably not spending too much time thinking about end-of-life planning. And while…

What is the difference between Keyman and Shareholder’s Protection?

What is the difference between Keyman and Shareholder’s Protection?

One structure looks after the company and the other looks after the deceased’s family. Many small businesses that run today are our own and although…

If you are a Brit and own UK property, update your will or lose this £70,000 tax perk

If you are a Brit and own UK property,…

Many people are unaware that if you gift a property to your children, it alleviates any IHT on it. Individuals need to check their Wills…

Words of Wisdom – Avoid Will Delay in Estate Planning

Words of Wisdom – Avoid Will Delay in Estate…

Avoid Will Delay in Estate Planning A dear client sadly passed away leaving a wife and two step-children behind. He was American and the wife…

Are you a UK Passport holder and returning to the UK?

Are you a UK Passport holder and returning to…

Having been in Hong Kong for over 25 years, there have been some significant changes and some of these are motivating people either to go home or to new pastures in the United Kingdom. There are many…

FREAKY FRIDAY – Dying without instructions

FREAKY FRIDAY – Dying without instructions

This is the first of a series of cautionary tales about not having the right documents in place should you die or become incapacitated prematurely.…

FREAKY FRIDAY – Trust in Me

FREAKY FRIDAY – Trust in Me

The second story I wanted to tell was about the dual power of a living (what I call Family) trust and a will combined. Peter* (not…

Topic Tuesday – Why use Will Services?

Topic Tuesday – Why use Will Services?

I shall be covering lots of topics on Tuesdays associated with your estate planning needs. Why you should consider a professional when it comes to…

FREAKY FRIDAY – The Art of Procrastination

FREAKY FRIDAY – The Art of Procrastination

FREAKY FRIDAY – The Art of Procrastination My lovely client Klaus* (not real name) was German, lived in Germany with a Korean wife Trudy* and had 3 children, one…

Topic Tuesday – International Estate Planning

Topic Tuesday – International Estate Planning

Having overseas assets without instruction as to their distribution when you die is a disaster awaiting your loved ones. If you have assets in more…

10 Things That Are Wrong with Your Last Will

10 Things That Are Wrong with Your Last Will

Unfortunately, although many people believe they have executed a legal will that reflects their wishes, that’s not always the case. Several common mistakes in making a…

Freaky Friday – Change of Relationship

Freaky Friday – Change of Relationship

This story is about a chain of events that resulted in mayhem for loved ones. Only the ex-spouse won. Craig* (not real name) had been married…

International Estate Planning and Global Compliance

International Estate Planning and Global Compliance

In the 21st century, we are having to report what we own and where we own it. How does this affect our loved ones? In…

Who pays UK Inheritance Tax?

Who pays UK Inheritance Tax?

In the UK, Inheritance tax (IHT) is the tax paid on an estate when the owner of that estate dies. If you are a UK…

Understanding Business Protection

Understanding Business Protection

All companies will have a variety of insurance, such as public and personal liability, company vehicle insurance, and commercial property insurance, as a minimum. However,…

The Evil Stepmother

The Evil Stepmother

FREAKY FRIDAY – The Evil Stepmother These events are standard, as many of us are from blended families. Mum and dad split up and re-married.…

Mental capacity and your financial affairs

Mental capacity and your financial affairs

We know that we need a will if we die, but what do we need if we become incapacitated? We all have the right to…

What happens to your digital assets when you die?

What happens to your digital assets when you die?

We have created an online presence with Facebook, Linkedin, Twitter, and Instagram. How do our loved ones close these down? This article is about what…

Famous People – with and without a will

Famous People – with and without a will

Famous People – with and without a will Nobody likes asking tough questions such as, “What will happen after we die?” and “Where do we…

Estate planning disasters and how to avoid them

Estate planning disasters and how to avoid them

We need to correct our estate planning when we try to DIY our estate planning. Estate planning disasters and how to avoid them. There are…

Short Scary Stories

Short Scary Stories

What’s the big deal, you ask? Wills are expensive, and countries have rules for handling these kinds of things anyway, right? While that’s true, there…

Valuable Information for writing a will

Valuable Information for writing a will

Writing a will is easy; this is valuable information to show why. That might explain why so many adults avoid this cornerstone of estate planning.…

The consequences of not having a will

The consequences of not having a will

The consequences of not having a will If you don’t write your own will, the government where your assets sit has one for you –…

Reasons Why Estate Planning Is So Important

Reasons Why Estate Planning Is So Important

Our loved ones and the financial impact of our demise should be the primary consideration for estate planning.  This article is to explain the reasons…

10 of the strangest wills written

10 of the strangest wills written

FREAKY FRIDAY – 10 of the strangest wills written Leaving instructions for what should happen to your finances after your death is a serious matter.…

Non-UK Domicile status and Inheritance Tax

Non-UK Domicile status and Inheritance Tax

Scope of Inheritance Tax for non-Domicile UK asset holders Since 6th April 2017, an individual has been domiciled in the UK* if they have been…

Real estate structures in the United Kingdom

Real estate structures in the United Kingdom

Real estate structures in the United Kingdom  If a foreign resident, non-resident, or foreign domiciliary wants to purchase UK real estate, what are the applicable tax…

Should you have a digital will?

Should you have a digital will?

Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin, and Twitter are social media channels we have joined over time. What happens when we die in these channels? In the pre-internet…

Keeping it in the family – How to reduce an inheritance tax bill?

Keeping it in the family – How to reduce…

Inheritance tax raised a record £5.4bn in the last few financial years – the highest amount introduced since the current tax system. This article explains…

Why your will is vital for your loved ones?

Why your will is vital for your loved ones?

A cautionary tale on why your will is vital for your loved ones?… I want to share an experience concerning why a Will is essential…

A crash course in estate planning

A crash course in estate planning

What you don’t know about estate planning can hurt your loved ones. It would be best if you experienced someone dying to know about passing…

Things that can happen if you die without a will

Things that can happen if you die without a…

Before your body is cold, someone will ask how much you are worth. Over half the working population globally does not have a Will in…

UK IHT assets

UK IHT assets

Inheritance tax advice for British expats and non-UK residents If you were born in the UK and have parents from the UK, or you have…

Inheritance Tax in UK

Inheritance Tax in UK

British families have paid £5bn+ in inheritance tax (IHT) since 2016. IHT paid by British families topped £5bn in 2016 and has continued to rise…

What happens if you die without a will?

What happens if you die without a will?

Here’s what happens with your assets after you die: “In this world, nothing can be certain, except death and taxes,” Benjamin Franklin once said in…

Anticipate with the tax man for your move to the UK

Anticipate with the tax man for your move to…

Anticipate with the tax man for your move to the UK The UK has a fierce global tax system. The tax system collects salaried income,…

Reasons to Create a Family Trust

Reasons to Create a Family Trust

Consider these six reasons you should create a Family Trust – you don’t have to be wealthy. These are the reasons how to simplify your…

A Tale of a Trust

A Tale of a Trust

A Tale of a Trust Tale of a Trust. A loving couple named John and Amy lived. John met Amy 15 years later and fell…

What is Estate Planning?

What is Estate Planning?

Why is it essential, especially for overseas asset owners? Having an estate plan can help you control your affairs now to maximize your net worth.…

Estate Planning in 10 Steps

Estate Planning in 10 Steps

Estate Planning in 10 Steps  In this article, Estate Planning in 10 Steps, you will be able to outline your wishes in the most tax-advantaged…

Famous People Who Disinherited Their Children

Famous People Who Disinherited Their Children

Fun Friday Facts – Famous People Who Disinherited Their Children. It isn’t always necessary for children to inherit wealth from their parents. Check out some…

Writing a will is easier than you think.

Writing a will is easier than you think.

Writing a will is easier than you think. Writing a will isn’t the most pleasant of tasks or a straightforward discussion with your loved ones.…

Include your pets in your legacy.

Include your pets in your legacy.

Include your pets in your legacy. Most people include instructions for distributing valuable assets in their wills but rarely consider their pets. Problems A neglectful…

2023’s Estate Planning Resolutions

2023’s Estate Planning Resolutions

2023’s Estate Planning Resolutions After having a fantastic Christmas, January is a time to make estate planning resolutions to get your things in order and…

Real Estate Investment in the UK

Real Estate Investment in the UK

The United Kingdom is a Great Place to Invest in Property The United Kingdom is a great place to invest in property and watch your…

Why Millennials Can’t Afford to Miss Estate Planning: John’s Cousin’s Cautionary Tale

Why Millennials Can’t Afford to Miss Estate Planning: John’s…

Learn why it’s never too early to start estate planning from the tragic story of John’s young cousin. Don’t miss out on securing your family’s…

When it comes to writing a will, many expats believe their assets will automatically be handled as they wish. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case.

When it comes to writing a will, many expats…

In my latest article, I debunk common myths about will writing for expats and explain why having a clear, legally binding will is crucial—no matter…

What happens if you pass away without a will? The consequences can be more severe than you might think.

What happens if you pass away without a will?…

In this simple guide, I break down the essential reasons why writing a will is crucial. From who inherits your assets to who takes care…

Estate planning is crucial for expatriates with assets in multiple countries.

Estate planning is crucial for expatriates with assets in…

Without a will, managing an estate can lead to financial chaos, legal disputes, and unnecessary stress for loved ones. Meet John and Sarah, a British…