5 Steps to Create a Comprehensive Estate Plan as an Expat

Published on: 30th January 2026

As an expat, you’ve chosen a life of adventure, living in different countries and building a legacy that crosses borders. But estate planning for expats brings its own challenges. Different legal systems, inheritance laws, and tax rules can all affect how your assets are passed on after you’re gone.

How can expats make sure their assets are safe, and their wishes are followed in different countries? The key is to have a clear, internationally compliant estate plan.

Here are five steps to help you create an estate plan that protects your legacy and gives your loved ones peace of mind.

Why Estate Planning Is Important for Expats

Estate planning is especially important for expats because your assets, family, and place of residence may be in different countries. This means more than one legal system could apply to your estate.

If you don’t plan ahead, cross-border estates can run into conflicting inheritance laws, surprise tax bills, and long delays. In some countries, forced heirship rules might even override your will, even if it was valid in another country.

Families may also have to navigate a probate process in several jurisdictions at the same time. This can lead to frozen bank accounts, unclear asset ownership, and long-term disputes between heirs governed by different legal systems.

A well-structured international estate plan helps expats reduce these risks by:

• Providing clarity.

• Avoiding probate.

• Protecting loved ones from unnecessary stress.

• Ensuring assets are distributed according to your wishes.

Most importantly, it lets you plan ahead, so your family doesn’t have to make tough legal and financial decisions during a hard time.

The following five steps outline the core foundations of an effective estate plan for internationally mobile individuals and families.

Step 1: Understand the Legal Frameworks of Relevant Jurisdictions

Estate planning is more complex for expats because more than one country’s laws can apply to a single estate.

Depending on your situation, your estate may be affected by:

• The laws of your home country

• The laws of the country where you live

• The laws governing assets held in other countries

• This matters because these laws do not always align.

For example, some countries apply forced heirship rules. This means the law decides who must inherit part of your estate, even if your will says otherwise.

When more than one legal system applies, conflicts can happen. A will that works in one country might be challenged or not fully accepted in another.

Working with advisers who know international estate planning can help you avoid these problems. They can make sure your estate plan works in all the countries that matter and matches your wishes as closely as possible.

Step 2: Draft a Will That Works Across Borders

A valid will is the cornerstone of any estate plan, but for expats, it must function across multiple countries.

You may choose between:

• A single, comprehensive will covering all assets worldwide

• Separate wills for different jurisdictions

A single will can make things simpler, but it needs to be written carefully to follow international laws. If you choose to have more than one will, they must match up completely. If not, conflicts could slow down or complicate how your estate is shared out.

For additional certainty, you can consider international frameworks. They include the Convention Providing a Uniform Law on the Form of an International Will, which helps ensure your will is recognised across borders.

Step 3: Use Trusts to Protect Your Assets and Plan for the Future

Trusts are a powerful estate planning tool for expats, offering both protection and flexibility.

Trusts can help you:

• Shield assets from potential creditors or legal disputes

• Provide for minor children

• Support family members with special needs

• Ensure wealth is managed responsibly over time

An asset protection trust can be especially helpful for expats with complicated or high-value estates.

Certain jurisdictions, including the Cook Islands and Nevis, are well known for favourable trust laws. This makes them popular choices for international estate planning.

A trust specialist can help you determine the most suitable structure and jurisdiction for your goals.

Step 4: Consider Tax Implications Across Jurisdictions

Tax planning is a critical part of estate planning for expats. Your estate may be subject to:

• Estate taxes

• Inheritance taxes

• Gift taxes

• Double taxation in multiple countries

Each country taxes estates differently. Without careful planning, taxes can take away a big part of what you leave to your loved ones.

To lower your tax bills, it’s important to check tax treaties between the countries involved. These agreements can often reduce or even remove double taxation.

It’s essential to work with a tax adviser who understands international issues. They can help set up tax-efficient structures, exemptions, and deductions to protect your estate’s value.

Step 5: Review and Update Your Estate Plan Regularly

The estate planning process takes time and is not a one-time task. Your plan should evolve as your life and circumstances change.

You should review your estate plan after:

• Marriage or divorce

• The birth of a child

• Acquiring new assets

• Moving to a new country

You should also stay aware of legal and tax changes in the countries where you live or own assets.

A plan that worked five years ago may no longer be effective today.

Regular reviews with your legal and financial advisers ensure your estate plan remains current, compliant, and aligned with your wishes.

Conclusion

Creating a comprehensive estate plan as an expat may feel daunting, but with the right approach, it becomes far more manageable.

Understanding how different legal systems affect your estate and making sure your will works across borders gives you peace of mind. Using trusts where appropriate and planning for international tax implications helps protect your assets and ensures your wishes are followed.

Because laws, tax rules, and personal circumstances change over time, regular reviews are essential to keeping your estate plan effective and up to date. The most important step is seeking professional advice that reflects your unique international situation.

At Holborn, we help expats put estate plans in place that work across borders and protect what matters most. Get in touch to see how we can help—wherever you call home.