Celebrity Estates Podcast
wealthmanagement.com
March 16th, 2026
In this episode of Celebrity Estates, Senior Editor David Lenok speaks with Martin Behn, partner at Lathrop GPM, about the estate planning challenges that arise when individuals hold assets or citizenship in more than one country.
Estate planning becomes more complicated when assets, citizenship and tax rules extend beyond a single country. What seems straightforward on paper can quickly involve multiple jurisdictions, reporting requirements, and competing legal systems. With the recent death of actress Catherine O’Hara as an example, Martin explains how advisors must identify assets globally, determine which country’s laws apply, and account for international tax treaties.
Key Takeaways:
- Why identifying every asset worldwide is the first step in cross-border estate planning
- How tax treaties determine which country controls estate and gift tax treatment
- Why advisors may need estate planning documents in multiple jurisdictions
- The planning risks when countries impose forced heirship rules on estates
- The difference between citizenship, residency and domicile in tax planning
David and Martin also explore how factors like residency, citizenship and domicile influence estate taxation and inheritance outcomes. Their conversation highlights why cross-border planning often requires coordination between advisors and attorneys in different jurisdictions to help families transfer wealth effectively.
