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What you've built in India, preserved for family around the world.

Your children may be in London, Toronto, Dubai or Singapore. Your estate plan needs to work in every one of those places, not just in India.

Disclaimer

Tax rules and rates shown throughout this section are accurate as of [Month, Year] and are provided for general guidance only. Rates, thresholds and exemptions change, and cross-border tax positions are highly fact-specific. Always confirm current figures with your adviser before acting on this information.

US

  • US federal estate tax

    US citizens and US-domiciled residents can face estate tax of up to 40% on worldwide assets above the federal exemption. A correctly structured Indian trust can help keep inherited assets outside a US beneficiary's estate.

  • Tax on trust distributions

    Distributions from a non-US trust to a US person are generally taxed as income or capital gain. The India-US treaty can help prevent double taxation, but it must be documented correctly.

  • FBAR and FATCA reporting

    US persons with an interest in a foreign trust or account must file FBAR and FATCA declarations. We structure your trust to reduce reporting obligations and brief beneficiaries on their requirements.

Do I need to update my estate plan if my child becomes a US citizen?
Yes. US citizenship changes how inherited assets are taxed and reported. We review your trust structure whenever a beneficiary's US status changes.

FAQs

Do I need an Indian will if I already have one in my country?
Yes. A will made abroad does not automatically cover your Indian assets. We draft a separate Indian will that works alongside your existing one, so nothing falls through the gap between jurisdictions.
What is the difference between a will and a trust?
A will transfers your assets to your family when you pass away, but once received, those assets can be exposed to your children's creditors, a divorce, or tax in their country. A trust keeps assets in a protected structure. Your family benefits from them without owning them outright, which can provide stronger legal and financial protection across generations.
My children are in different countries. Can one plan cover all of them?
Yes. A well-designed private discretionary trust can serve beneficiaries in the UK, US, Canada, UAE and beyond, from a single Indian structure. We tailor the distribution approach to each country's specific tax and reporting rules.
What is FEMA and why does it matter?
FEMA governs every transfer of money from India to a foreign bank account. Without the correct filings, banks will not process the transfer. We handle all FEMA compliance for each distribution from the estates and trusts we manage.
Is it too late to set up a trust if my parents are elderly?
It is never too late to plan, but earlier is always better. As long as your parents have legal capacity, we can move quickly to get the right documents in place.
Does anyone need to travel to India to set this up?
We do our utmost to manage the entire process remotely. Documents can be signed at your local Indian Embassy or Consulate, and we handle everything else. Travel is only necessary in the rarest of circumstances.
Can you help pass on a family business, not just personal assets?
Yes. Business succession is one of our six estate services. We plan who takes over and how, with shareholder and family agreements and tax-efficient transfer planning, so the business continues and disputes are prevented.

Real insights. Real people. Real results

  • Case Story: A private family trust across three continents

    Coming soon

  • Legal Update: Cross-border estate planning after a UK ruling

    Coming soon

  • Expert Insight: The gap a will alone leaves behind

    Coming soon

  • Est. 2000 · 26 years

  • Over USD 1 billion in property and estate matters handled

  • Offices in the UK, Canada and the US

  • Legal and execution teams across India

  • Clients in 45+ countries

Protecting what you've built shouldn't stop at the Indian border.