Private Client, Probate & Trust

Cross-border Asset Management

Internationalisation of both Asian and non-Asian clients and a cross-jurisdictional spread of family assets means much more complex succession and tax issues. We take a broad and independent view and are better placed to understand the structure well before the investment strategy. Large returns on assets are immaterial if swallowed up by unforeseen taxes, legal liabilities or inadequate succession planning.

Although Estate Duty has been abolished in Hong Kong, it does not mean that estate planning is no longer important.

The focus of Estate planning nowadays has shifted to the efficiency of cross-border asset management, and to alleviate the pain and trouble of the often cumbersome bureaucratic process, which in most cases will be dealt with by the most beloved one simultaneously with the grief of the loss.

Estate Planning for an Autonomous Future

Society progresses as fast as technology, and social development liberalises options, especially in terms of who you are, who you want to be with, and how you want to spend the rest of your life, especially at the terminal stage. Unfortunately, the law often fails to recognise those options, especially the unorthodox ones. Estate planning is accordingly quintessential to a complete autonomous future.

Estate planning is not just a consideration for high net worth individuals with a large asset portfolio. For example, most workers in Hong Kong will have been contributing their Mandatory Provident Fund (MPF) since 2001. After 40 or more year’s hard work, there should be a considerable amount in your MPF account, which will continue to grow with time. MPF belongs to part of the estate in the unfortunate event of fatality before reaching the age of 65.

Hence, estate planning is relevant to everyone who accumulated any wealth in the course of his/her contribution to society.

Estate Planning Itself is Your Intangible Legacy

This is a way for you to:

• Decide your post-mortem matters, and assign a competent candidate to execute the same
• Take care of those family members who have special needs
• Provide for those who cannot benefit from your legacy under the law without your proper directives
• Maximize the benefits of your loved one from your wealth, without compromising his/her other entitlements such as government subsidies

We assist clients of diversity to achieve the above objectives by assessing their needs and concerns and providing practical legal solutions to meet the above objectives. We provide professional advice on estate planning for singles or for married couples, or estate planning for UK expats in Hong Kong.