International & expat planning
International planning starts from the fact that the US taxes its citizens wherever they live. Americans abroad file every year and report foreign accounts, foreign funds can carry punishing US tax, and pensions and estates are treated differently in each country. Newcomers to the US face the same rules from the other side, with assets and family still at home. Every advisor listed here names international or expat work on their own firm's site, often for specific countries. For moves between the US and Canada, see Cross-border (US / Canada).
By the numbers
The Wellspent public graph lists 129 fee-only financial advisors focused on international & expat planning at 56 firms, most in London, United Kingdom; Columbus; and Boca Raton. 42% hold the CFP certification. Of the 129 with fees on file, 90% charge percentage of assets.
- Advisors listed
- 129
- Firms
- 56
- Cities
- 63
- Hold the CFP
- 42%
- Other credentials: CFA 10% · CPA 1% · EA 2%
- How they charge (of 129 with fees on file): percentage of assets 90% · hourly 58% · fixed fees 54% · ongoing planning fee 18%
Source: Wellspent public graph, data as of . Shares are of advisors listed here; an advisor can hold several credentials or fee types. Methodology
Advisors with depth in international & expat planning
| Advisor | Firm | City | Credentials | Fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dylan St. Cyr | DF Direct | Biarritz, France | Not listed | Percentage of assets |
| Eric Frison | DF Direct | Biarritz, France | Not listed | Percentage of assets |
| Henry Rutherford | Liberty Atlantic Advisors | Florence, Italy | Not listed | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Isa Hantzsch | DF Direct | London, United Kingdom | Not listed | Percentage of assets |
| Jamie Tulip | Forth Capital | Edinburgh, United Kingdom | Not listed | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Joshua Madden | DF Direct | London, United Kingdom | Not listed | Percentage of assets |
| Kaitlin Krozel | Krozel Capital | Scottsdale | Not listed | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees |
| Kamaljit Somal | DF Direct | London, United Kingdom | Not listed | Percentage of assets |
| Mathieu Cyr | DF Direct | London, United Kingdom | Not listed | Percentage of assets |
| Niamh Aitken | Forth Capital | Edinburgh, United Kingdom | Not listed | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Nicola Barton | Forth Capital | Houston | Not listed | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Reuben Woods | DF Direct | London, United Kingdom | Not listed | Percentage of assets |
| Ricardo Jesus | Liberty Atlantic Advisors | Conceição, Portugal | Not listed | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Robin Lin | Lin Global Advisors | Kirkland | Not listed | Percentage of assets |
| Shihfang Chuang | Noesis Capital Management | Boca Raton | Not listed | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees |
| Simon Kasbari | Noesis Capital Management | Boca Raton | Not listed | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees |
| Thomas Tracy | Forth Capital | Edinburgh, United Kingdom | Not listed | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Abhijeet Mhatre | HappyRich Capital | Monroe Township | Not listed | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Fernando Germana | Germana Capital | Miami | Not listed | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Jean Coletta | Germana Capital | Miami | Not listed | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Michael Laubinger | Stono River Wealth Management | Johns Island | Not listed | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees |
| Alexander Duncan | MCAP Investment Management | Woodstock | Not listed | Percentage of assets |
| Curtis Patterson | Patterson Partners | Hamilton, Bermuda | Not listed | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Guido Valli | FDI Wealth Management | Miami | Not listed | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Jeffrey Patterson | Patterson Partners | Hamilton, Bermuda | Not listed | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| John Brock-Edgar | LDN Wealth | Orlando | Not listed | Hourly, Fixed fees |
| Mariano Sardans | FDI Wealth Management | Miami | Not listed | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Rodrigo Gamarci | FDI Wealth Management | Miami | Not listed | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Ryan Schmitt | LDN Wealth | Orlando | Not listed | Hourly, Fixed fees |
Guides
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Financial planning for newcomers to Canada
From the day you become a resident, Canada taxes your worldwide income and treats what you own as bought at its value that day. You get TFSA room in your first year, but usually no RRSP deduction. Here's what to set up first.
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Retiring abroad: the money rules that follow you
Americans who retire abroad still file US tax returns on their worldwide income, and Medicare generally doesn't pay for care outside the US. Social Security can be paid in most countries. Plan healthcare, taxes, accounts and currency before you move.
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How to find a cross-border financial advisor (US and Canada)
Few firms plan between the US and Canada as their main work. Here's where the fee-only specialists are, how to check they're registered on both sides, and what they charge.