Last Will and Testament for Your US Assets
You may own a home in the United States while the people you want to leave it to live elsewhere. Or you may already have a will and wonder whether it covers your U.S. assets.
LOIGICA helps you prepare a last will and testament around your family, your wishes, and the law that applies. We explain the decisions involved and how your will fits with the planning you already have.
Tell us where you live and what you would like to plan for.
When to Prepare or Review Your Will
A new property, a move, or a change in your family can raise questions about your existing plans. It may be time to review your will if:
You can start with a question. You do not need to decide whether you need a new will before contacting us.
What a Last Will and Testament Can Address
A will records who you want to receive the property that passes under it after your death. It also lets you nominate an executor, sometimes called a personal representative, to administer your estate.
The document can address specific gifts and explain how to distribute the rest of the estate it covers. State law and certain family rights can affect those instructions.
Some assets follow other arrangements. Named beneficiaries, joint ownership with survivorship rights, and trusts may determine how particular assets pass. That is why reviewing how you own your assets matters alongside drafting the will.
How LOIGICA Helps You Prepare Your Will
Our will preparation service starts with the people and property involved. We help you:
When Your Family or Assets Are in More Than One Country
If you already have a will abroad, bring it into the conversation early. Its wording and the applicable law help determine whether it addresses your U.S. assets.
A separate U.S. will may be useful in some situations. Any new document needs careful coordination with your existing plans because it could change or revoke earlier instructions.
The review should also consider where your beneficiaries live and who could manage the estate. Questions involving another country may require advice from a lawyer there.
What to Expect When Working With Us
We begin with your family, your U.S. assets, and what you want the will to accomplish.
We identify the information and documents needed to prepare the will, along with questions that require separate advice.
We prepare the document and review its provisions with you. This gives you an opportunity to ask questions and request changes.
We finalize the wording and clarify the applicable signing requirements. Completing those formalities is a separate step from approving the draft.
1
Discuss your situation
We begin with your family, your U.S. assets, and what you want the will to accomplish.
2
Define the work involved
We identify the information and documents needed to prepare the will, along with questions that require separate advice.
3
Review your draft
We prepare the document and review its provisions with you. This gives you an opportunity to ask questions and request changes.
4
Prepare for signing
We finalize the wording and clarify the applicable signing requirements. Completing those formalities is a separate step from approving the draft.
Why Work With LOIGICA
Your U.S. will needs to make sense alongside the rest of your life. LOIGICA considers your family circumstances and existing structures when preparing the document.
You have an opportunity to work through questions before signing. That includes who should inherit, who could manage the estate, and how the will relates to other arrangements.
Request a ConsultationFrequently Asked Questions
Can I make a will for U.S. assets if I live abroad?
Yes. Living outside the United States does not by itself prevent you from making a will for U.S. assets. The document must meet the applicable legal requirements. Your residence, the location of your assets, and where you sign all need consideration.
Do I need a separate U.S. will if I already have one in another country?
Not necessarily. A foreign will may be recognized under the relevant state law. Its scope, wording, and signing formalities need review before deciding whether a separate document would help.
Does a will avoid probate?
No. A will alone does not avoid probate, the court process for administering certain assets after death. Whether assets require probate depends on their ownership, beneficiary arrangements, and applicable law.
Do I need a will or a trust?
They serve different purposes and can work together. A trust may help manage assets during your lifetime and transfer properly funded assets outside probate. A will can address assets left outside the trust. The appropriate combination depends on your circumstances.
Can someone who lives abroad be my executor?
Possibly. Eligibility rules vary by state, and the person’s relationship to you may matter. Their ability to handle estate responsibilities from another country also deserves consideration before you name them.
Will preparing a will reduce estate taxes?
A will does not automatically reduce estate taxes. Tax exposure depends on factors such as the assets involved, your circumstances, and applicable treaties. Any tax planning should be considered as part of a broader review.
What should I prepare for a consultation?
A general list of your U.S. assets, where they are located, and any existing wills or trusts is a useful starting point. Think about whom you want to inherit and whom you might nominate as executor. You can raise questions about anything you have not decided.
Talk Through Your Plans With LOIGICA
Whether you are preparing your first will or reviewing one you already have, tell us what you want to address. Our team will review your inquiry and contact you about the next step.
Start with a brief description of your situation. You do not need to have every decision made.