Your family deserves the same protection and peace of mind as any other, regardless of citizenship status. Right now, non-U.S. citizens face estate taxes of 40% on amounts over $60,000, while U.S. citizens receive a $12,920,000 exemption. These numbers tell an important story about why proper planning matters for your family's future.
Here in New York City, where 40% of our neighbors were born outside the United States, we see the unique challenges immigrant families face every day. Many of our clients come from mixed-citizenship marriages, which now represent one in every 10 marriages across the country.
Your trust means everything to us, and we're here to help you protect what matters most - your family and the life you've built together. Estate planning doesn't have to feel overwhelming, whether you hold a green card or you're a non-resident alien.
We promise to guide you through creating an estate plan that keeps your hard-earned assets safe and gives your family the security they deserve. Let us show you how to protect your legacy, no matter your immigration status.
Estate Planning Basics for Immigrant Families
Your family's future deserves careful planning, especially when you're building a life across borders. Estate planning means more than deciding who gets what after you're gone - it's about protecting everything you've worked for and making sure your loved ones are taken care of, no matter what happens.
What Estate Planning Means for Your Family
Think of estate planning as your family's protection plan. We help you put together important documents like wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and advance healthcare directives. These work together to keep your wishes clear and your family secure, whether you're unable to make decisions yourself or after you've passed on.
Special Protections for Immigrant Families
Your immigration status changes how we approach estate planning. The numbers tell the story - U.S. citizens can pass down $12,920,000 through their estate tax exemption, but non-citizens only get $60,000 before taxes kick in. We understand that your cultural traditions matter too, especially when dealing with assets in different countries.
For married couples where one spouse isn't a U.S. citizen, things work differently. You won't get the same tax benefits as citizen couples, but we can help set up special trusts called QDOTs to protect your spouse's inheritance.
Important Tools We Use to Protect Your Family
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Wills - Your instructions for taking care of family and property after you're gone
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Trusts - Special arrangements that help protect and pass down your assets
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Power of Attorney - Someone you trust to handle money and healthcare decisions if you can't
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QDOT - A special trust that helps non-citizen spouses inherit without heavy tax burdens
When you own property or assets in different countries, estate planning needs extra care. Some countries might not accept U.S. legal documents, so we make sure your plan works everywhere it needs to.
Getting Your Documents Ready
Your estate plan starts with having the right papers in order. We promise to guide you through gathering everything needed to protect your family's future. Let us help you make sense of what documents matter most.
Your Immigration Papers
First, we'll need to see your immigration status documents. These might be your:
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I-551 Permanent Resident card (green card)
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Temporary I-551 resident alien card
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I-766 employment authorization card
If you're here on a visa, we'll look at your passport stamps and USCIS approval letters. Your trust means everything to us, and we'll make sure every document is properly reviewed.
Property Papers
Do you own property here or in another country? We'll help you gather:
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Real estate deeds
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Property titles
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Ownership certificates
Remember, most countries won't accept American wills for transferring property. That's why we might need extra documentation for your assets overseas. We're here to make sure everything's properly protected, no matter where it is.
Financial Records
Your financial picture includes more than just bank statements. Here's what we'll need to look at:
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Tax returns and FBAR forms for foreign accounts
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Retirement and pension plan statements
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Records of overseas financial holdings
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Investment portfolio documents
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Insurance policies
If you have a green card, you'll need to show worldwide income and foreign account records above certain amounts. Special rules apply when you own property through trusts or share assets with non-U.S. citizens.
Choosing Your Estate Planning Tools
Concerned about protecting your family's future across borders? Your immigration status and where you keep your assets shape the tools we'll use to protect your legacy. Let us help you understand your options and choose what works best for your family.
Wills and Trusts for Your Family
Standard wills don't always work well for non-citizens - many countries won't recognize U.S.-based estate documents. That's why we often recommend trusts for better protection. For non-citizen spouses, we can set up a special trust called a QDOT to pass down assets without immediate estate taxes.
Your trust means everything to us, so here's what you need to know: if you're not a U.S. citizen, your trust might be considered "foreign". This means different tax rules apply - you'll only pay yearly taxes on income from U.S. assets. Remember, some countries don't recognize trusts at all, which can affect international families.
Protecting Your Choices with Power of Attorney
A durable power of attorney keeps working even if you can't make decisions yourself. We'll make sure it follows New York laws and includes clear instructions for when it takes effect. This way, someone you trust can handle your money and business if you face deportation or detention.
Keeping Your Assets Safe
We can help protect your family's future with:
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Life insurance policies that stay outside U.S. asset rules
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Joint ownership with U.S. citizens to avoid probate
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Special international wills that work in multiple countries
When you own property jointly with a U.S. citizen spouse, it passes directly to them without probate, though this means you can't control who gets it later.
Working with Estate Planning Professionals
Your trust means everything to us, and finding the right professionals makes all the difference in protecting your family's future. We promise to help you build a team that understands your unique needs as an immigrant family.
Finding the Right Attorney
Estate planning for non-U.S. citizens needs special care and knowledge. We'll help you connect with attorneys who understand both U.S. and international estate laws. Look for professionals who work regularly with cross-border assets and immigration matters.
Many families feel most comfortable working with law firms that speak their language. That's why multi-lingual firms often work best. The best firms maintain relationships with lawyers in other countries, making sure your plan works everywhere it needs to.
Working with Translation Services
When you need documents translated, we'll make sure it's done right. Professional translators must provide:
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Agency letterhead with full contact details
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Their name, signature, and qualifications
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The date of translation
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(No notarization needed)
Understanding the Costs
We believe in being upfront about costs. Here's what you can expect:
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Simple wills: $150 to $600
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Full plans with trusts and powers of attorney: $1,500 to $3,000
Attorney fees change based on:
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Their experience
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How complex your estate is
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Where you live
For estates worth more than $1,000,000, you'll need more detailed planning. Trust administration fees usually run 1% to 2% of assets each year. Don't forget about filing fees ($50-$500) and asset appraisals ($500-$5,000).
Protecting Your Family's Future
Estate planning looks different for every immigrant family in New York, but one thing stays the same - your family deserves the best protection possible. The huge difference in estate taxes between citizens and non-citizens shows why proper planning matters so much for your family's wealth.
We promise to be there for you every step of the way. From gathering your important papers to setting up QDOTs, we'll help you choose the right tools for your situation. Yes, costs will vary depending on what your family needs, but think about the peace of mind that comes from knowing your assets are protected across borders.
Your trust means everything to us, and we're committed to looking out for you and your loved ones. Life changes - immigration status shifts, families grow, assets move around. That's why we'll help you review and update your estate plan regularly. After working hard your whole life, you deserve to know your family's future is secure, no matter your citizenship status.
