Estate planning for international families

Protect your wealth across borders and across generations

If you live internationally, own assets in multiple countries, or have family members spread across different jurisdictions, your estate could be exposed to complex tax rules, conflicting succession laws and unnecessary administrative delays.

We help internationally mobile individuals and families create coordinated estate plans that consider their global assets, tax exposure, succession objectives and long-term legacy.

Book an estate planning consultation

Why cross-border estate planning matters

Many families accumulate assets in different countries over decades. Without proper planning, this can create significant challenges for future generations.

Multiple countries taxing the same estate
Delays caused by international probate processes
Conflicting wills across jurisdictions
Assets passing contrary to your wishes
Unnecessary inheritance tax or estate duty
Liquidity shortages to pay taxes and expenses
Family disputes and succession challenges

The cost of poor estate planning is often only discovered after death, when options become significantly more limited.

What is cross-border estate planning?

Cross-border estate planning is the process of coordinating your wills, trusts, tax exposure, succession plans and wealth structures across multiple countries to ensure your wealth passes to the right people, at the right time, and in the most efficient manner possible.

What does an estate planning review include?

International wills and succession planning

A coordinated review helps ensure wills across multiple jurisdictions work together rather than against one another.

Inheritance tax and estate duty planning

Different countries apply different rules to wealth transfers. Understanding how these systems interact is often the most important aspect of international estate planning.

Trust structures and family wealth preservation

Trusts can play an important role in succession planning and asset protection, but they should always be reviewed in context.

Pensions and beneficiary nominations

Many retirement and pension assets pass outside of a will. This means beneficiary nominations should be reviewed alongside your wider estate plan to ensure they remain aligned with your wishes.

Business succession planning

Without a power of attorney or will, your business and your assets could be in jeopardy, leaving your clients and employees in the lurch.

Property and real estate ownership

Without a power of attorney or will, your business and your assets could be in jeopardy, leaving your clients and employees in the lurch.

Powers of attorney and incapacity planning

Life insurance, investment planning and cash-flow analysis often form an important part of estate planning discussions.

Unsure where your estate planning risks are?

Our advisers can review your international assets, family structure and tax exposure.

Estate liquidity planning

A robust estate plan should also consider whether sufficient liquidity exists to:

Pay taxes
Cover estate administration costs
Meet family obligations
Avoid forced sales of valuable assets

Schedule an estate review

How do different countries interact?

When more than one country is connected to an estate, several competing rules may apply simultaneously.

30 years of cross-border expertise

Foreign Tax Credits

Asset Situs Rules

The physical or legal location of assets can determine which country claims taxing rights.

UK inheritance tax planning

The UK's inheritance tax regime can continue to affect individuals long after they leave the country.

Planning considerations may include:

Residence and long-term residence status
UK-situs assets
Lifetime gifting
Estate structuring
Potential post-departure UK inheritance tax exposure

South African estate planning

South African assets can create estate planning obligations for both residents and non-residents.

A review may consider:

Estate duty exposure
Capital Gains Tax on death
Treaty relief opportunities
Estate liquidity requirements
The treatment of South African property and investments

US and other international tax considerations

US citizens, green card holders and owners of US-situated assets often face additional planning complexity.

Similarly, countries such as Australia, Portugal, the UAE and Qatar can have unique succession, residency and asset ownership considerations that should be incorporated into an overall estate strategy.

Many clients are unaware they remain exposed to inheritance tax or estate duty after relocating.

Discuss your cross-border estate position

Our multi-generational wealth planning framework

Effective estate planning is about more than transferring assets. It is about preserving family wealth, preparing future generations and creating a framework that supports long-term stewardship across borders and across decades.

1. Define family values and legacy

The story of how wealth was earned, the hard work and challenges overcome, helps establish the principles that will guide future generations.

2. Clarify the purpose of family wealth

Is the wealth intended to create a lasting legacy? Support education and future family needs? Fund opportunities? Be donated to philanthropic causes? The answer will affect your planning.

3. Protect against risks to family wealth

Identify threats such as inheritance tax, estate duty, divorce, litigation, inflation, cross-border complications and family disputes.

4. Build a sustainable investment strategy

Consider diversification, risk management, real assets and long-term investment objectives that align with the family's goals.

5. Create governance and succession structures

Develop decision-making frameworks, succession plans, trust governance and family leadership structures.

6. Prepare future family leaders

Ensure future generations are equipped to manage wealth responsibly and understand the obligations that come with stewardship of family assets.

The most successful estate plans help families define values, prepare future generations and preserve wealth long after assets have been transferred.

Book a multi-generational estate planning consultation

Who should consider cross-border estate planning?

This service is particularly valuable if you:

Live outside your country of birth
Own assets in multiple countries
Have foreign tax exposure
Have children or beneficiaries living overseas
Hold offshore investments
Have existing trusts or family structures
Own a business or international property portfolio
Want to preserve wealth across multiple generations

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Why work with Sable International?

International estate planning requires coordinated thinking across tax, succession, investments and family objectives.

Our advisers have helped thousands of clients across multiple jurisdictions identify risks, develop practical solutions and create estate plans that support long-term family wealth preservation.

Our approach incorporates the multi-generational planning principles, including succession planning, family governance, wealth preservation and protection against cross-border risks.

What our customers say

Meet the team

James Barnett

Group Director - Wealth, Tax & Accounting
Niel Pretorius

Wealth Director - Head of Cross Border and Technical Investment
Ian Henning

Independent Financial Planner and Mortgage Adviser
Bill Monty

Independent Financial Planner and Mortgage Adviser
Julian Adshade

Wealth Adviser
Jaco van Tonder

Tax and Wealth Adviser
Mullisa Baatjes

Senior Mortgage Liaison
Ané Cardis

Paraplanner Team Leader
Stephané Botha

Paraplanner
Ruben Kannemeyer

Data Systems Specialist
Romano de Freitas

Investment Analyst
Brady Ogle

Cross-border Wealth Administrator
Shandré Coert

Wealth Administrator
Cláudia Mendes

International Financial Planner
Lauren Meeser

Business Director: Sable Wealth

James Barnett

Group Director - Wealth, Tax & Accounting

James grew up in South Africa and moved to the UK in 1999, and since then has lived and worked in the UK, South Africa and Mauritius. He is a Chartered Accountant by profession, completing his Articles with EY.

James has almost 30 years of experience in the Financial Services and Professional Services sectors. His career has spanned Audit and Business Valuations at EY, Market Risk at Credit Suisse, Strategic Change Management at Credit Suisse and UBS, Financial Services Audit and Corporate Finance as a Partner at Grant Thornton, and Financial Planning and Wealth Management as Director and later CEO of an Independent Financial Planning and Wealth Business.

James now leads the Sable Wealth team from London on a growth journey from Good to Great, and hopes to make a meaningful contribution towards Group strategic goals and revenue synergies.
Outside of work James loves travelling, snowboarding with friends, stand-up paddle boarding with his wife, swimming in the ocean and spending time with his children and family.
Niel Pretorius

Wealth Director - Head of Cross Border and Technical Investment

Niel grew up in Plettenberg Bay, South Africa. After being admitted as an attorney in 1999, he spent nine years practising in family law, estate planning as well as litigation.

His career in finance began in 2008 after qualifying and specialising in offshore financial services. Prior to joining Sable International, he worked in Cape Town and Zambia as consultant and country manager for a large international financial consultancy.

Niel specialises in offshore structuring and planning, with cross-border trust, tax and succession planning being his speciality.

He enjoys being outdoors in the African bush and in the ocean.

Read Niel's latest articles and insights.
Ian Henning

Independent Financial Planner and Mortgage Adviser

Ian grew up in South Africa and moved to the UK in 2004. He kick-started his financial career with Sable International as a mortgage advisor.
After this, he moved to Kinleigh Financial Services where he worked as a mortgage broker for four years.
Ian then returned to Sable International. In 2013 he obtained his level 4 Diploma in Financial Planning and has been helping his clients with all their investment and mortgage needs ever since. Ian is one of our dual authorised financial advisers and is part of the investment committee.
He enjoys playing golf and spending time with his family.
Read Ian's latest articles and insights
Bill Monty

Independent Financial Planner and Mortgage Adviser

Bill grew up in Durban, on the East Coast of South Africa, where he attended Durban High School.
He previously worked as a claims, service and retention manager with Neilson Financial Services, before joining Sable International's wealth team in 2013. Bill focuses on individual and corporate financial planning, mortgage advice and company employee benefits such as auto enrolment and insurance.
He is energetic, driven, loyal and enjoys spending time with his two children. When he has a spare moment, he manages to squeeze in a bit of fly fishing, snooker and golf.
Read Bill's latest articles and insights.
Julian Adshade

Wealth Adviser

Julian was raised in both South Africa and the United Kingdom and has a background in wealth management, having previously worked with several of South Africa’s leading banks.
He holds multiple financial planning qualifications, including a postgraduate diploma in financial planning from Stellenbosch University. He is a Certified Financial Planner® and a member of the Financial Planning Institute of South Africa. In addition, he is a Chartered Financial Planner in the UK and a member of the Chartered Insurance Institute.
Julian provides holistic advice to individuals and families on managing their wealth across multiple jurisdictions. His work includes helping South Africans internationalise their wealth, supporting clients relocating to the UK, and assisting those moving to or returning to South Africa from abroad.
Outside of his professional life, Julian enjoys spending time with his wife and two children and participating in a variety of sports.
Jaco van Tonder

Tax and Wealth Adviser

Jaco was born and raised in Pretoria. He is a qualified Chartered Accountant and Tax Practitioner, completing his studies at the North-West University in Potchefstroom.
He completed his articles with Deloitte Johannesburg, where he gained extensive experience with dual listed multinational entities. After articles, he worked as a consultant for IP Capital. Part-time, he is also a marker for UCT’s Chartered Accountant board course.
Jaco has a strong passion for tax and personal finance. He is currently busy with his studies to obtain the CFP designation. He enjoys helping clients navigate complex financial challenges and provides tax structuring and advisory support to our South African Tax and Wealth departments.
Outside of work, Jaco enjoys exploring the outdoors with his wife, traveling and aspires to complete an Ironman.
Mullisa Baatjes

Senior Mortgage Liaison

Mullisa has 10 years of experience in UK mortgage administration, combining strong financial services expertise with a passion for communication and continuous learning. She holds a Master’s degree in Linguistics from the University of the Western Cape and previously worked at Capitec Bank’s Business Support Centre before joining Sable International.
As a Senior Mortgage Liaison, Mullisa manages UK mortgage applications from submission through to completion. She works closely with lenders, solicitors, surveyors, advisers and clients to ensure each application progresses smoothly and efficiently.
Outside of work, Mullisa enjoys camping, taking road trips and exploring new places and restaurants with her family.
Ané Cardis

Paraplanner Team Leader

Ané grew up in Cape Town and completed her BComm studies at Stellenbosch University in 2014. In 2015 she went on to obtain her postgraduate diploma in financial planning through the University of Stellenbosch Business School. Ané is a Certified Financial Planner and a member of the Financial Planning Institute.
Ané previously worked for Sanlam and joined the Sable Wealth team as a Paraplanner in 2018. She assists the financial advisers and clients with the research, technical and product knowledge as well as the implementation of the advice given.
Ané loves spending time with her husband, daughter and family and thoroughly enjoys gardening and reading.
Stephané Botha

Paraplanner

Stephané started her career in the financial services industry in 2017. She’s a Registered Financial Practitioner® and a member of the Financial Planning Institute of South Africa. She is currently studying towards a UK Diploma in Financial Planning, to further broaden her knowledge in the field.
As a paraplanner, Stephané focuses on research, technical insights and financial products. She works closely with advisers to create financial plans that are tailored to individual needs.
Outside of work, she enjoys trail rides on horseback, getting creative with arts and crafts, and exploring the outdoors whilst camping.
Ruben Kannemeyer

Data Systems Specialist

Born and raised in the Northern Suburbs of Cape Town, Ruben holds a degree in Information Systems from the University of Cape Town. He is a data-driven problem solver who thrives on using data to drive clarity and smarter decision-making. He focuses on analytics, automation, and reporting, transforming complex datasets into actionable insights.
With expertise in visualisation tools, Python, and SQL, he builds dynamic dashboards and streamlines data processes, ensuring information is both accessible and impactful. His goal is to bridge the gap between raw numbers and strategic decisions, helping teams make sense of the bigger picture.
Beyond the spreadsheets and dashboards, he’s an avid runner and cyclist who thrives on the challenge of pushing limits—whether it’s on the road, the trails, or in the world of analytics. When he’s not working or training, he enjoys spending time outdoors and tending to his ever-growing collection of plants.
Romano de Freitas

Investment Analyst

Romano studied Investment Management at Stellenbosch University, where he lived on campus and played soccer for the university team. He went on to complete a BCom Honours in Economic Analysis of Financial Markets at the University of Cape Town and later earned a Postgraduate Diploma in Financial Planning from Stellenbosch Business School. Before joining Sable International, he worked at Allan Gray as an Investment Service Consultant.
He now serves as an Investment Analyst in the wealth division at Sable International, where he strives to make a meaningful impact for clients.
Outside of work, Romano enjoys playing soccer, surfing, supporting Chelsea FC, and spending time with family and friends. A former lifeguard from the age of 14 to 22, he still feels a strong connection to the ocean.
Brady Ogle

Cross-border Wealth Administrator

Brady was born in Durban, where he began his career in the financial services industry in 2017 working for an Independent Financial Advisor (IFA). In December 2022, he relocated to Cape Town to pursue new professional opportunities.
He completed his Wealth Management NQF Level 5 qualification and RE5 in 2018 and is currently continuing his studies toward a BCom degree with a major in Investment Management.
Before joining Sable, Brady worked for an IFA in Durban as a Paraplanner and Wealth Administrator, gaining valuable experience supporting financial planning and wealth management services. He joined Sable as a Wealth Administrator, where he looks forward to further developing his career while completing his studies and growing within the company.
Outside of work, Brady enjoys spending time outdoors, particularly cycling, hiking, and exploring new places. He also enjoys cooking and spending quality time with friends and family.
Shandré Coert

Wealth Administrator

Shandre was born in Cape Town and completed her schooling in Malmesbury in 2005. After school, she gained hands-on experience through seasonal work at various wineries in the region before returning to Cape Town in 2008, where she entered the retail industry.
In 2012, Shandre transitioned into the financial sector, joining Nedbank. Over the course of a decade, she held roles as a Back Office Administrator and Multi-functional Consultant, developing a strong foundation in financial operations and client service. In 2022, she joined Africa Direct Holdings as a Sales Support Administrator, where she spent two years providing critical administrative and customer support.
Outside of work, Shandre enjoys spending quality time with her husband and two sons. Her family loves camping and exploring the outdoors together.
Cláudia Mendes

International Financial Planner

Cláudia was born in a small town called Welkom in the Free State, South Africa. She studied at the University of Johannesburg, where she obtained her BCom Honours in Financial Planning and later obtained a diploma in Investments through the University of the Free State. Cláudia joined Alexander Forbes for 11 years before relocating to Cascais, Portugal where is now one of Sable Wealth's cross-border financial advisers.
She is a Certified Financial Planner, is a member of the Financial Planning Institute (FPI) in South Africa, an Associate member (ASCI) for the Chartered Institute For Securities & Investment (CISI) in the UK, is a member of the Federation of European Independent Financial Advisers (FEIFA) in Europe, and holds an Advance Certification with the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC).
As a cross-border financial planner, Cláudia assists clients who are from, or have a link to, multiple jurisdictions which include SA, the UK, the EU and the US.
In her free time, she loves spending time outdoors, staying active and socialising with family and friends.
Download Claudia's Wealth brochure.
Read Cláudia's latest articles and insights.
Lauren Meeser

Business Director: Sable Wealth

Lauren is a Certified Financial Planner® and member of the Financial Planning Institute. She holds two advanced postgraduate diplomas in Financial Planning from the University of the Free State in South Africa and obtained a Diploma for Financial Advisers from the London Institute of Banking & Finance.
She has been in the industry since 2005, having previously worked as a paraplanner, financial planner and practice manager. At Sable International, Lauren is director of operations and compliance for our Wealth department. She thrives on the intricacies of a cross-border financial planning and wealth management firm.
Outside of work, Lauren enjoys going to the theatre and experiencing the beauty and adventures Cape Town has to offer.

Frequently Asked Questions

01What is cross-border estate planning?

Cross-border estate planning coordinates assets, tax exposure and succession arrangements across multiple jurisdictions to ensure wealth is transferred efficiently.

02Do I need estate planning if I already have a will?

Yes. A will is only one part of a complete estate plan and may not address international tax or succession issues.

03Can I have more than one will?

In some situations, multiple wills may be appropriate, provided they are carefully coordinated to avoid conflicts.

04Will moving overseas remove my UK inheritance tax exposure?

Not necessarily. Depending on your circumstances, UK inheritance tax exposure may continue after departure.

05Are trusts always the best estate planning solution?

No. Trusts can be effective in certain situations but should be evaluated as part of a broader estate planning strategy.

06How often should I review my estate plan?

Estate plans should generally be reviewed following major life events, relocation, marriage, divorce, business sales or significant changes in wealth.

07What happens if I own assets in more than one country?

Different jurisdictions may apply different succession laws, probate requirements, inheritance taxes or estate duties to the same estate. Depending on where your assets, beneficiaries and family members are located, you may require coordinated wills, specialist tax planning and a cross-border estate strategy to help ensure your wealth passes according to your wishes.

08Can more than one country tax my estate?

Yes. This can occur where an individual has connections to multiple jurisdictions through residence, domicile, citizenship or the location of their assets. A cross-border estate review can help identify potential exposures and planning opportunities.

09How is estate planning different from a will?

A will is only one component of a broader estate plan. Estate planning considers how your assets will be structured, managed and transferred during your lifetime and after your death.

Protect your family wealth before it becomes a tax problem

International estates rarely become simpler with time. The earlier you review your inheritance tax exposure, wills, trusts, succession arrangements and estate liquidity, the more options are typically available. Fill in the form below to book an estate planning consultation today.

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