International Estate Planning And Estate Administration Lawyers
Last updated on February 24, 2026
Whether you are creating an estate plan to preserve your interests, or you are an heir dealing with a probate or estate administration matter, you probably have questions. Navigating the planning or administration process is often confusing and difficult. The attorneys at Urban Thier & Federer, P.A., understand what you are going through. We use our ample experience to help you create a thorough plan that is tailored to minimize tax concerns. We also help heirs who are on the receiving end of an estate. If you are an heir with questions or concerns, we can help you get your share or tackle a dispute through litigation.
With offices in both the United States and Germany, we are equipped to assist in the planning and administration of estates for heirs in the United States and Europe.
Wealth Preservation For Your Business And Family
If you are concerned about tax law and wealth preservation for your family, Urban Thier & Federer‘s wealth management lawyers can help you create a solid strategy and put all of the proper legal requirements in place to administer all of your wealth management needs.
Whether your needs are general in nature or more complex, we have the knowledge and experience. We have dealt with complex international estate and wealth management planning for many individuals and business entities. If you are a business owner, it is imperative that your estate plan incorporate contingencies for your ownerships interests. Our solution is customized based on each client’s unique financial status and needs.
We have experience coordinating multiple aspects of legal wealth management concerns such as accounting, insurance and banking.
We manage many aspects of wealth management and legal planning, including the following areas:
- Trusts and wills
- Tax implications
- Estate and distribution disputes
- Wealth planning
- Strategic estate planning
- Distribution of assets
- Business entity considerations
Whether you are concerned about control of real estate, family-owned businesses or institutional fiduciaries through transitional times, such as retirement or estate distribution, we can provide a solution. Ensuring that your beneficiary designation is honored is of paramount concern for our attorneys. We will also help you navigate important taxation considerations such as estate taxes, gift taxes, generational transfers and income taxes. Tax planning is a vital element of every estate plan, and our attorneys will help ensure that it meets all of the applicable requirements of your jurisdiction.
We also provide assistance with other aspects of your estate plan aside from wealth management. Creating durable power of attorney designations and health care directives are equally vital to ensuring that your physical and medical needs are properly accounted for and in safe hands.
Guidance With Probate And Estate Administration Matters
A thorough plan is essential to preserving a legacy, but once an individual passes away, probate and estate administration takes place. We guide individuals through the probate process and help heirs obtain what they are entitled to.
Probate is the common term for the administration of the estate of a person who has died, also called a decedent. The estate is administered by a personal representative, who is also commonly known as an executor, executrix, administrator or administratrix. The administration of an estate takes place in the state or country where the decedent lived. The process includes collecting all of the decedent’s property, paying the decedent’s debts, and distributing what remains to beneficiaries. A decedent is either considered testate or intestate. Testacy means that the person died with a valid will. Intestacy is when a person dies without a will or with a will that is invalid for some reason. In the probate of a testate estate, the intention is also probated or proved to be valid.
The administration includes the distribution of property according to the terms of the will. In many jurisdictions, there are two types of probate: Probate in Solemn Form, which is more formal; and Probate in Common Form, which has fewer formal legal requirements.
When Is The Right Time To Set Up An Estate Plan?
The appropriate time to establish an international estate plan is sooner rather than later, preferably right now. Many postpone planning because they believe it is only necessary after retirement or once substantial wealth has accumulated. In reality, incapacity or unexpected death can occur at any stage of life. Without a properly structured estate plan, assets may be distributed according to default succession rules that do not reflect your wishes.
When assets or heirs are located in both the U.S. and another country, the absence of a plan can create complications, and separate probate proceedings may be required in each country. Differences in forced heirship rules, elective share rights or statutory inheritance frameworks can lead to unintended outcomes. Cross-border tax exposure may increase, and beneficiaries may face delays while courts determine jurisdictional authority. Early and comprehensive planning helps streamline administration, reduce the risk of disputes and preserve assets across multiple legal systems.
Which Country’s Laws Apply To An International Estate Plan?
Determining which country’s laws govern an estate depends on a combination of factors. Nationality, domicile and habitual residence are often central considerations. Some legal systems prioritize citizenship when determining applicable succession law. Others focus on where the individual maintained permanent residence or established their primary home.
The physical location of assets also plays a role. Real estate located in a particular country is frequently subject to that country’s probate procedures regardless of the decedent’s citizenship. Business interests, bank accounts and investment holdings may trigger additional reporting or compliance obligations. For individuals with ties to both the United States and Germany, European Union succession regulations and U.S. tax law may intersect in complex ways. A thoughtful estate plan can address these variables and, where permitted, designate the governing law to minimize uncertainty.
What Are The Best Qualities To Consider When Hiring An International Estate Planning Lawyer?
International estate planning requires more than familiarity with domestic probate rules. Key qualities to evaluate include:
- Demonstrated experience handling cross-border estates involving multiple jurisdictions
- Working knowledge of inheritance and tax systems in both the United States and internationally
- Ability to coordinate effectively with foreign counsel, accountants and financial institutions
- Multilingual communication skills to facilitate accurate documentation and client understanding
An accomplished international estate planning lawyer anticipates jurisdictional conflicts, identifies tax implications and structures documents to withstand scrutiny in more than one legal system. Our depth of experience, cross-border coordination capability and cultural fluency make a positive difference when navigating estates that span countries and legal traditions.
Schedule A Consultation With An Experienced International Estate Attorney
Our attorneys represent clients who are United States residents with inheritance rights in Germany and German residents with inheritance rights in the United States. If you are facing issues such as complying with requirements of the United States and German probate courts, tax offices, heirs, accountants, financial institutions, real property holdings, and a host of other potential issues and parties, we can help. Urban Thier & Federer, P.A., serves clients worldwide and has law offices strategically located in different parts of the United States and Europe. Call us today at 212-257-0898 or get in touch with our lawyers via email today.
“This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or establish an attorney-client relationship.”