Cross-Border Inheritance & Investment
Specializing in cross-border inheritance, asset transfer, and investment structuring across Taiwan, the U.S., and China — integrating wills, trusts, and family asset planning to prevent multi-jurisdictional conflicts and ensure smooth succession.
What Is Cross-Border Inheritance?
Cross-border inheritance is any estate where the deceased, the heirs, or the assets are in different countries, for example a parent who leaves a home or bank accounts in Taiwan while the children live in the United States. These cases require both Taiwan's estate tax and inheritance registration procedures and the notarization and Taiwan overseas mission (TECO) authentication of documents signed abroad. WU LAW GROUP helps overseas heirs complete the Taiwan side remotely and coordinates Taiwan–U.S. wills and trust planning.
6 Questions Overseas Heirs Ask Most
- Can a U.S. citizen without Taiwan household registration inherit a house in Taiwan? Yes. The right to inherit depends on your relationship to the deceased, not your nationality or registration. Restricted land categories (Land Act Art. 17) and reciprocity (Art. 18) still need to be checked. Read more
- When is Taiwan estate tax due? Within six months from the date of death. A written extension, generally up to three months, can be requested before the deadline. Living abroad does not delay the start date. Read more
- Is there a deadline for inheritance registration? Yes, six months from the start of inheritance. Late filing can be fined one times the registration fee per month of delay, up to twenty times. Read more
- Does Taiwan accept an Apostille? Not on its own. Taiwan is not a party to the Hague Apostille Convention, so a Power of Attorney used in Taiwan must ultimately be authenticated by the TECO office whose jurisdiction covers where you live. Read more
- Do I have to travel to Taiwan? In most cases, no. Once your authorization documents are authenticated where you live, a Taiwan lawyer or agent can handle the tax bureau, bank and land office procedures. Read more
- Does Taiwan have probate like the U.S.? No. An uncontested estate is handled administratively: file the estate tax return, obtain the tax clearance (or exemption) certificate, then transfer assets at banks and the land office. Read more
Further reading: Cross-border inheritance FAQ (full answers) and Taiwan Inheritance Guide for Foreigners
This is general legal information. How it applies depends on the deceased's nationality, where the assets are, and the facts of your case.
Succession Planning & Trust Design
- Taiwan Will Drafting and Estate Documentation
- U.S. Will Planning and Cross-Border Succession Coordination
- Taiwan Trust Structuring and Asset Preservation Planning
- U.S. Trust Planning
Cross-Border Inheritance & Estate Administration
- Estate Succession Proceedings in Taiwan, China, and Hong Kong
- Taiwan Estate Tax Filing, Supplemental Payment, and Administrative Relief
- Procedural and Identity Compliance for Foreign Heirs in Taiwan
- Cross-Border Case Coordination and Document Integration across Taiwan, China, Hong Kong, and the U.S.
- Recognition of Foreign Wills and Court Judgments in Taiwan
Family Governance & Asset Protection
- Prenuptial / Postnuptial Agreement Planning for Cross-Border Marriages
- Family Business Equity Arrangement and Succession Design
- Family Asset Distribution and Dispute Prevention Mechanisms
- Cross-Border Family Asset Integration Advisory
Need Professional Assistance with Cross-Border Inheritance or Asset Planning?
Book a free 20-minute video consultation from the U.S. or Taiwan, and let us design a tailored multi-jurisdictional asset arrangement for you.