If you’re living abroad as an expat—whether in the Philippines, Thailand, or anywhere else—there’s a critical question you need to ask yourself: Do you have a proper Will in place?
The shocking reality is that 99% of expats don’t have adequate estate planning. And I’m not talking about just having “a Will”—I’m talking about having the right Wills, Powers of Attorney, and legal structures to actually protect your family and assets when you’re gone.
Let me share why this matters so much, and how my own experience could have cost my son everything.
Why One Will Isn’t Enough
Here’s what most expats don’t realize: you need TWO Wills—one in your home country and one in your country of residence.
Your Home Country Will
This covers assets back home—property, bank accounts, investments, pensions. Without it, your estate could be tied up in probate for years, costing your family thousands in legal fees.
Your Local Will (Philippines, Thailand, etc.)
This covers assets in your country of residence. Different countries have wildly different inheritance laws, and without a local Will, your wishes might be completely ignored.
Real-world example: In the Philippines, if you die without a proper Will, your assets automatically go through Philippine inheritance law—which could mean your estranged spouse gets everything, even if you’ve been separated for years.
My Personal Wake-Up Call
I learned this the hard way. When I moved to the Philippines, I had to completely restructure my Wills to protect my son from my estranged wife. Philippine law doesn’t recognize separation the way Western countries do—legally, she was still entitled to my estate.
After my divorce, I had to update everything again. Philippine law has specific requirements about what happens to assets after divorce, and my old Will would have created a legal nightmare for my son.
This isn’t just paperwork—this is about making sure the people you love are protected, not the people you’ve left behind.
The Power of Attorney Problem
Here’s another critical piece most expats miss: Powers of Attorney.
You need:
- Financial Power of Attorney – Someone who can manage your money if you’re incapacitated
- Healthcare Power of Attorney – Someone who can make medical decisions for you
Without these, if you have a stroke or accident, your family could be locked out of your bank accounts and unable to make critical healthcare decisions. I’ve seen expats’ families struggle for months trying to access funds to pay for medical care because there was no Power of Attorney in place.
Estate Duty: The Hidden Tax
Many countries impose estate duty (inheritance tax) on assets when you die. Depending on where you live and where your assets are located, your family could lose 30-40% of your estate to taxes—simply because you didn’t structure things properly.
With the right planning, you can minimize or even eliminate estate duty legally. But you need to set this up before you die, not after.
Protecting Your Children’s Assets
If you have children from a previous relationship, this is absolutely critical. Without proper Wills and trusts:
- Your current partner could inherit everything, leaving your children with nothing
- Your estranged ex-spouse could make claims on your estate
- Your children could be tied up in legal battles for years
I structured my estate specifically to ensure my son is protected, regardless of what happens with relationships in the future. Every expat with children needs to do the same.
What You Need to Do RIGHT NOW
Step 1: Get TWO Wills
- One in your home country
- One in your country of residence
- Make sure they don’t contradict each other
Step 2: Establish Powers of Attorney
- Financial Power of Attorney
- Healthcare Power of Attorney
- Register them in both countries if possible
Step 3: Review After Major Life Changes
- Divorce or separation
- New children or grandchildren
- Moving to a new country
- Acquiring significant assets
Step 4: Work with Specialists
Don’t use a general lawyer. You need someone who specialises in international estate planning for expats. The laws are complex, and one mistake could cost your family everything. My good friend Jamie Lee should be your go-to professional. Contact Jamie
The Bottom Line
Estate planning isn’t sexy. It’s not fun to think about. But it’s one of the most important things you’ll ever do for your family.
I’m working with Jamie Lee, a specialist in expat estate planning, to help people get this sorted properly. If you’re an expat in the Philippines, Thailand, or anywhere else, and you haven’t updated your Wills in the last few years—or worse, you don’t have any—you need to act now.
Don’t let your family discover these problems after you’re gone. Protect them while you still can.
Take Action Today
📧 Contact Jamie Lee for a consultation on expat estate planning
💬 Drop a comment below with your biggest estate planning concern
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Remember: 99% of expats get this wrong. Don’t be part of that statistic.
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