You’ve spent years building your wealth. But have you ever stopped to ask a simple question:

Will you, and your family, be able to access it when it matters most?

For many U.S. expats, the biggest risks aren’t poor investment returns. They’re the unexpected obstacles that can arise when you move overseas, lose the ability to manage your own affairs, or pass your assets on to loved ones.

The good news is that these challenges are largely preventable with the right planning. In this article, we’ll walk through the three key stages every American living abroad should prepare for to ensure their U.S. investments and savings remain accessible, both today and for years to come.  

Stage 1: Can I Access My U.S. Investments While Living Overseas?

Yes, but only if your accounts are structured to support life outside the United States.

Many Americans assume that once they’ve opened a U.S. brokerage or retirement account, they’ll always be able to access it, regardless of where they live. In reality, moving overseas can introduce unexpected hurdles that have nothing to do with your investments themselves, and everything to do with where you reside.

Some U.S. financial institutions are unable, or unwilling, to maintain accounts for clients living abroad because of regulatory or compliance requirements. Others may allow you to keep your account but restrict certain investment activities, such as purchasing mutual funds or opening new accounts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I keep my U.S. investment account after moving overseas?

Usually, yes, but it depends on the financial institution. Some U.S. brokerage firms serve Americans living overseas, while others restrict accounts or require transfers after a foreign address is added.

Before moving, confirm your custodian’s policy. Working with one that supports U.S. expats can help maintain uninterrupted access to your investments.

Why did my brokerage restrict my account after I moved overseas?

Moving abroad can change the regulatory requirements that apply to your account.

Some U.S. financial institutions restrict what overseas clients can do, including buying certain securities, opening accounts, or changing investments. Review your custodian’s policies before moving to avoid surprises.

Can I use my foreign address on my U.S. investment account?

Sometimes, but not every custodian accepts foreign addresses.

Some financial institutions are equipped to work with Americans living abroad, while others are not. We believe it is best to work with a custodian that accepts your actual foreign address. Updating your account with an overseas address at an institution that does not support expats may trigger investment restrictions or even require you to transfer your assets elsewhere.

If you’re relocating internationally, it’s important to confirm your custodian’s policy. Doing so can help avoid unnecessary disruptions to your investment strategy.

Can I still receive security verification codes while living overseas?

Not always. Some financial institutions only send two-factor authentication codes to U.S. mobile numbers or use methods that may not work overseas.

Before moving, ensure your accounts have authentication options that work internationally so you can access your money when needed.

Will it be more difficult to transfer money internationally?

It can be. International transfers may require additional verification, documentation, and processing time, especially for larger amounts.

Testing the transfer process in advance and keeping your banking instructions current can help avoid delays when you need the funds.

Why is it sometimes difficult to contact my U.S. financial institution from overseas?

Customer service may work differently from overseas. Some institutions offer limited international support, cannot call foreign numbers, or have more complex identity verification.

Before relocating, confirm how you can contact your financial institution if you need urgent assistance.

What should I do before moving overseas?

The best time to prepare is before you leave the United States.

A simple review of your financial accounts can prevent many of the access issues U.S. expats encounter later. Before your move, consider:

• Confirming that your custodian accepts clients living overseas.
• Updating your contact information.
• Testing your online access and authentication methods.
• Reviewing your international money transfer process.
• Ensuring your banking instructions remain current.

A few hours of preparation today can save weeks of delays and unnecessary stress in the future.

Stage 2: What Happens If I Can No Longer Manage My Own Affairs?

If you become unable to manage your finances due to illness, injury, or cognitive decline, someone else will need the legal authority to act on your behalf.

It’s an uncomfortable topic, but one that every U.S. expat should plan for. Many people assume their spouse or adult children will automatically be able to access their accounts if something happens to them. In reality, financial institutions are bound by strict legal requirements and may refuse to speak with family members unless the proper legal documents are already in place.

Cross-border planning adds another layer of complexity. A Power of Attorney prepared in one country generally doesn’t have legal effect in another. For example, an Israeli Durable Power of Attorney is designed to manage assets located in Israel and typically comes into effect only after a medical professional determines that the individual has lost legal capacity. It does not  apply to U.S. brokerage accounts or retirement plans.

The good news is that with the right planning, you can ensure someone you trust is able to step in and manage your affairs without unnecessary delays or legal complications.

Below are some of the questions we hear most often:

Frequently Asked Questions

Can my spouse or children automatically manage my U.S. investment accounts if I become incapacitated?

Usually not. Even if listed as beneficiaries, your spouse or children generally cannot manage your accounts while you’re alive without legal authority. Financial institutions will only accept instructions from you or someone formally authorized to act on your behalf.

Planning ahead ensures your loved ones can step in when needed.

Does a Power of Attorney work internationally?

No. A Power of Attorney is governed by the laws of the country where it was created. A document prepared in one country may not be recognized by financial institutions in another.

If you own assets in multiple countries, you will need separate legal documents that comply with the laws and financial institutions in each jurisdiction.

What happens if I develop dementia or lose mental capacity while living overseas?

Without proper planning, your family may face delays accessing or managing your U.S. assets, including having to obtain court approval. 

In the meantime, bills and investment decisions may be delayed, creating unnecessary financial complications.

Is the U.S. Power of Attorney enough?

For many people, it’s an important first step, but it may not be the complete solution.

You may also benefit from creating a U.S. Revocable Living Trust, which allows a successor trustee to manage trust assets if you become incapacitated. Unlike a Power of Attorney, which some institutions scrutinize carefully, a properly established trust often provides a smoother transition of control.

The right approach depends on your assets, your country of residence, and your overall estate plan.

How can I prepare before something happens?

The best time to plan for incapacity is while you’re healthy and fully able to make decisions.

Consider reviewing:

• Whether you have a valid U.S. Financial Power of Attorney.
• Whether a Revocable Living Trust is appropriate for your situation.
• Who you’ve chosen to act on your behalf.
• Whether your legal documents are up to date.
• Whether your advisors know how to coordinate across multiple countries.

Preparing these documents in advance can give both you and your family confidence that your financial affairs will continue to be managed according to your wishes, regardless of what the future brings.

Stage 3: Can My Family Access My U.S. Investments After I’m Gone?

Yes, but only if you’ve planned ahead.

Many U.S. expats assume that once they’ve written a will, everything else will fall into place. Unfortunately, that’s not always the case. Cross-border inheritance can introduce legal, tax, and administrative hurdles that make accessing U.S. assets far more complicated than families expect.

For U.S. expats, taxable accounts, including joint accounts with rights of survivorship and Transfer on Death (TOD) accounts, may not transfer as quickly as they would if the account holder passed away in the U.S. The estate may need to obtain a Transfer Certificate from the IRS before the custodian can release the assets. The certificate confirms that any applicable U.S. estate tax obligations have been satisfied.

The problem is time. Once your CPA or estate representative submits the request, receiving the Transfer Certificate can take a year or longer, potentially leaving beneficiaries waiting for access to the assets.

One way to avoid this issue for taxable accounts is to establish a U.S. revocable trust during your lifetime. When properly structured and funded, the trust can eliminate the need for a Transfer Certificate for assets held within it, allowing for a smoother transfer to your beneficiaries.

Retirement accounts are different. Accounts such as IRAs have their own inheritance and distribution rules, and a revocable trust does not solve the Transfer Certificate issue for these accounts in the same way it can for taxable assets.

There may be other complications as well. Your beneficiaries may live in another country, and your investment custodian may not work with non-U.S. residents. The more of these issues you address during your lifetime, the easier it can be for your loved ones to access and manage your wealth after you’re gone.

Below are some of the questions we hear most often.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can someone living outside the United States inherit my U.S. investment accounts?

Yes. U.S. brokerage accounts, retirement accounts, and other financial assets can generally be inherited by beneficiaries living overseas. 

Will my beneficiaries be able to keep my existing investment account?

Not always. Some custodians continue serving beneficiaries who live overseas, while others require inherited accounts to be transferred elsewhere. This can be particularly relevant if your heirs live outside the United States.

Choosing an advisor with cross-border experience in transferring inheritances to the appropriate custodian that understands international clients can make the inheritance process significantly smoother.

What happens to my IRA after I pass?

Inherited retirement accounts follow different rules than ordinary investment accounts.

Depending on the type of IRA, the beneficiary’s relationship to you, and current U.S. tax laws, the account may need to be distributed over a specified period, and those distributions may have tax consequences. IRAs are generally subject to receipt of a Transfer Certificate prior to release. 

Can foreign beneficiaries inherit a U.S. IRA?

Yes. Non-U.S. residents can generally inherit U.S. retirement accounts, but may face additional tax, withholding, and administrative requirements in the U.S. and their country of residence.

Seeking advice before taking distributions can help avoid unnecessary tax costs.

Is having a will enough?

A will is an important part of your estate plan, but it isn’t always enough for cross-border families.

Beneficiary designations on retirement accounts, brokerage accounts, and life insurance policies take precedence over your will. It’s important to ensure these designations remain current and align with your overall wishes.

Additional planning through a Revocable Living Trust may also simplify the administration of U.S. taxable assets.

What can I do now to make things easier for my family?

The best gift you can leave your loved ones is a well-organized financial plan.

Consider reviewing:

• Your beneficiary designations.
• Your U.S. will and estate planning documents.
• Whether your custodian works with overseas beneficiaries.
• How your retirement accounts will be distributed.
• Whether your trusted advisors know how to coordinate across multiple countries.

A little planning today can spare your family significant delays, unnecessary costs, and avoidable stress in the future.

A Quick Access Checklist for U.S. Expats

You’ve worked hard to build your wealth. Taking a few minutes to review how you’ll access it, and who can access it on your behalf, can help prevent unnecessary complications later.

Use this checklist as a starting point:

• Have you confirmed that your U.S. custodian accepts clients living overseas?
• Can you securely access your accounts from your country of residence?
• Do your two-factor authentication methods work internationally?
• Have you tested transferring funds from your U.S. accounts while abroad?
• Do you have a valid U.S. Financial Power of Attorney?
• If you own assets in multiple countries, do you also have the appropriate local legal documents?
• Have you considered whether a Revocable Living Trust is appropriate for your circumstances?
• Are your beneficiary designations current across all brokerage, retirement, and insurance accounts?
• Will your beneficiaries be able to access your U.S. investments if they live outside the United States?
• Do your family members know who to contact if something happens to you?

If you answered “no” or “I’m not sure” to any of these questions, it may be time to review your cross-border financial plan.

How Nardis Helps Americans Living Abroad

Managing U.S. investments while living overseas involves much more than choosing the right portfolio. It requires a financial strategy that considers access, taxation, legal authority, and long-term estate planning across multiple jurisdictions.

At Nardis Advisors, we help U.S. expats build plans that protect not only their wealth, but also their ability, and their family’s ability, to access it throughout every stage of life.

Our work includes:

• Helping clients identify custodians that support Americans living abroad.
• Reviewing account structures to minimize future access issues.
• Coordinating with U.S. attorneys on Powers of Attorney and Revocable Living Trusts.
• Advising on cross-border retirement and investment strategies.
• Assisting families with the transfer and inheritance of U.S. investment accounts.
• Working alongside tax professionals to help clients navigate U.S. and international reporting requirements.

Whether you’ve recently moved overseas, are planning for retirement, or simply want the confidence that your financial affairs are in order, we’re here to help.

If you’d like to discuss your own cross-border financial plan, we’d be happy to help you prepare for every stage of the journey, with clarity, confidence, and peace of mind. Contact us today!

Disclaimer

Nardis Advisors LLC (“Nardis”) is a Registered Investment Advisory Firm regulated by the U.S Securities and Exchange Commission in accordance and compliance with applicable securities laws and regulations. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. Nardis does not render or offer to render personalized investment advice through this medium. The information provided herein is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment or legal advice. Investment advice can only be rendered after delivery of the Firm’s disclosure statement (Form ADV Part 2) and execution of an investment advisory agreement between the client and Nardis.