Posted by
dh
19 yrs ago
Can anyone recommend a U.S. Estate Planning Lawyer for consultation based in HK?
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Try
www.financial-partners.biz
They are not US lawyers but they do US estate planning.
The guy I spoke with is Ian Gutteridge. His email is ian.gutteridge@financial-partners.biz
Good luck.
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Depending on the size and complication of your estate, I'd recommend using a certified specialist in your home state of residence to prepare your documents. Suppose you have to spend two hours on the phone with them, fax or e-mail documents, and pay their hourly fee. What is the most that could cost in comparison to the devastating consequences of a serious mistake? They can prepare the documents and instructions for execution and send them to you, and then go to your local consulate to get the documents witnessed and notarized (best if witness signatures are notarized, and at least theoretically you need to be able to call the witnesses as . . . witnesses). Also, in worst case scenario of a huge snafu, what is "your" recourse if you have used a lawyer who is not even in your home country? Of course, if you just need a simple will and even a small trust, that's a different matter.
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Estate planning and wills are different matters.
You do not need to have your will prepared in your home state. Generally, as long as your will is valid and properly executed at the place where you are located, it is acceptable. So, if you prepare a will in HK, as long as it is validly executed here, it can be probated by a US court.
As for estate planning, these involve setting up instruments or plans to pass your assetss to beneficiaries (including yourself) so where they are set up is not really important. What is most important is that the IRS will not consider the instrument as an attempt to avoid US tax law or that they are instruments for money laundering or they are proceeds of criminal activities.
But Meiguoren is right, you should consult an expert.
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dh
19 yrs ago
Thx both of you.
Do you know if there is much local state variation in regulations regarding estates in the u.s. ? The will portion is quite simple, its the "instruments" as you say that I'm trying to get advice on.
And in looking for an "expert" are they generally lawyers or CPA"s enough?
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SWTFP
19 yrs ago
I am a US CPA. For US lawyers specialize in private clients matters, there are only 3 in Hong Kong.
Richard Weisman of Baker McKenzie
Mary Hutton of Bryan Cave
James Tsang of Squire Sanders
One other firm you may consult is Perkins Coie.
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Brian Wong, US CPA
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Southwest Tax & Financial Planning Limited
8/F, New York House
60 Connaught Road Central
Hong Kong
Tel: (852) 2575 5800
Fax: (852) 2523 6800
E-mail: swtfp@netvigator.com
Website: www.yp.com.hk/swtfp
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I think Perkins Coie had closed their Hong Kong office last year.
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