NRI estate and succession: organise assets across countries

Updated 2026-09-27 · International / NRI families · General education

One family, more than one set of arrangements

Property in India, accounts abroad and employer shares can involve different administrators and legal systems. Start by recording what exists, who owns it and whom it is intended to support.

Four estate-planning stages: build, own, protect and transfer. — Building wealth and transferring it are different planning jobs. Clear records, ownership and family arrangements connect them.View full size

Create a usable family inventory

Indian and overseas assets, legal owners and relevant documents.
Current beneficiaries and nominations, and their effect under the specific arrangement.
Wills and the people authorised to act in each jurisdiction.
Accessible liquidity for dependants and administration.
Employer shares, including the issuer and whether awards have become owned shares.

Ownership, beneficiaries and holding structures connect assets with the people they are intended to help. — Record who owns each asset, who is intended to benefit and how the arrangement works in each relevant country.View full size

Personally owned — Record who owns each asset, who is intended to benefit and how the arrangement works in each relevant country.View full size

Coordinate the documents

Do not assume a nomination, joint account or one will resolves every asset. The effect of each depends on the asset, the governing law and family circumstances. Legal advisers in the relevant countries can coordinate documents and avoid inconsistencies.

Review before life changes

For information and guidance only. Results are illustrative, based on your assumptions, and are not personalised financial advice. Methodology & limitations