Q:

Inheritance for a French citizen with a G4 visa married to a US citizen

I am a French citizen on a G4 visa living in the US and married to a US citizen with no children. I want to ensure that in case I was to pass away my spouse would inherit everything from me. Should I make a will or a trust?

A:

You should almost certainly write a will.  Depending on the state in which you live, it is just possible that will not be necessary.  However to write the will, I very very strongly suggest you consult a lawyer; this is particularly true because you are an ex-pat. (DIY wills can easily cause a great deal more trouble).  If the intestacy laws in your state are such that you don't need a will, the lawyer can tell you that.
The lawyer can also advise on how to write the will to minimize any taxes (and that may require a trust).
Top tip: Don't let the lawyer write themselves in as executor.  Appoint your spouse, and they can negotiate for the lawyer's services if needed at the time (they probably won't be).

