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International Families · 6 min read

Planning when your family spans more than one country

Property in Jamaica, children in Toronto, retirement in Texas? Cross-border families face extra questions. Here is where to begin.

Many families in our community have roots and assets in more than one country. Each jurisdiction may have its own rules for wills, inheritance, taxes and probate.

Where to begin

  • Inventory assets by country, including land, bank accounts and pensions.
  • Ask whether a will made in one country is recognized in another.
  • Consider whether local counsel is needed where property is held.
  • Keep copies of titles and deeds with translations if needed.

Communication across distance

Distance makes conversations harder — and more important. Schedule a family video call to walk through your plan and share where documents are kept.

This article is for educational purposes and is not legal, tax or financial advice. Please consult a licensed professional in your jurisdiction.