Reasons to Update Your Estate Plan as an American Expat Living in France

Why American expats in France should regularly update their estate plans.

Estate Planning for American Expats Living in France

Living as an expatriate can bring many benefits, but it complicates matters related to your estate plan and assets. As an American living in France, it’s essential to regularly update your estate plan to account for your changed circumstances.

Five Reasons to Update Your Estate Plan

Comply with French Inheritance Laws
French inheritance laws differ significantly from those in the U.S. By updating your estate plan, you can ensure your assets are distributed according to both French and U.S. laws, avoiding potential issues and complications.
Name an Executor in France
Your original will likely name an executor who lives in the U.S. As an expat, you should name an executor who resides in France and is familiar with French laws and customs.
Account for Foreign Assets
Your assets likely include bank accounts, investments, and property in France. Your estate plan should specify how to distribute these foreign assets according to your wishes.
Avoid Double Taxation
Assets transferred to heirs after death may be subject to taxes in both the U.S. and France. Consulting a legal expert can help you modify your estate plan to minimize double taxation of your assets and wealth.
Update Beneficiary Designations
Documents like life insurance policies, retirement accounts, and bank accounts rely on beneficiary designations, which you likely haven’t changed since moving abroad. Be sure to review and update these designations to reflect your current wishes and circumstances.

Disclaimer

This communication is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute, and should not be construed as, investment advice, investment recommendations, or investment research. You should seek advice from a professional adviser before embarking on any financial planning activity. Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the information contained in this communication is correct, they are subject to change, and we are not responsible for any errors or omissions.

Our Private Client Engagement Process

We follow a structured and personalised approach to ensure your family's international wealth is managed with precision and clarity.

Initial Discovery Call

Before you engage us, we’ll get to know you to make sure we’re a good fit in terms of understanding what is most important to you.

Confirming Our Understanding

After our discovery call, we will summarise our understanding of your current situation and the key objectives which will ensure we're aligned with your goals.

Create A Personalised Plan With You

Once you’re happy that we’re right for you, we’ll provide our recommendations and implement them for you. But there’s never any pressure from us to proceed – that’s just not our style.

Implementation and Monitoring

We will implement your plan, constantly monitor and report on the performance to ensure your private wealth is optimised and aligned with your goals and working for you. Additionally, we’ll provide you with regular statements and a half yearly review to ensure that you remain up to date with any investment or tax changes and that we continue deliver for the long term.

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