You have family in both California and Taiwan. Maybe you own a home here, plus property or accounts abroad. That’s a wonderful life—but it also means your estate plan needs to work in more than one place.
Here’s the big idea: a “standard California plan” may not cover the real-life details of an international family. The goal is to keep things smooth for the people you love, no matter which side of the ocean they’re on.
Foreign assets: keep it simple
If you have property or bank/investment accounts outside the U.S. (like in Taiwan), you will usually need local counsel in that country to make sure everything is valid and works the way you intend there.
And don’t worry—you don’t have to figure it out alone. At SC Law Services, we help bridge the gap by coordinating your California estate plan with the right next steps for your overseas assets, so your family isn’t left guessing later.
Taxes (a quick heads-up for international families)
Two super common “surprises” we see:
- Non‑U.S. citizen spouse: If your spouse isn’t a U.S. citizen, they generally don’t get the same tax‑free inheritance treatment that citizen spouses do. Without the right planning, that can mean a big tax bill at the first spouse’s death. One tool that can help (when appropriate) is a Qualified Domestic Trust (QDOT)—but it has to be set up correctly ahead of time.
- Worldwide assets: If you’re a U.S. resident, you’re often taxed based on your worldwide assets, not just what’s in California. So that condo in Taipei or accounts overseas may matter in the bigger picture.
No need to panic—this is exactly why coordinated planning is so helpful. We’ll flag the issues early and help you map out the right next steps.
A few practical tips (quick and doable)
- Make a list of anything you own outside the U.S. (address, bank name, account type).
- Tell us where it is (Taiwan? Canada? elsewhere?) so we can spot planning gaps early.
- Keep beneficiaries and key contacts updated so your family knows who to call.
How SC Law Services helps international families
We work with busy families who want a clear plan without the overwhelm. We can help you:
- Create a California plan that fits your cross-border life (not a cookie-cutter template)
- Plan for kids and family responsibilities that stretch across countries
- Coordinate with appropriate professionals when something needs attention overseas
Your Next Step
If your life is in two worlds, your plan should be too. Reach out to us for a consultation, and we’ll help you put a simple, coordinated plan in place—so your family feels supported here and abroad.