Many North Texas families have roots, property or relatives outside the U.S. mainland. A condo in San Juan. A family home in Monterrey. A parent in Bogotá who will one day inherit, or be inherited from.
A plan built only for Texas can leave those pieces exposed. This guide explains the questions that matter most, so you can walk into your meeting prepared.
Why a Texas plan is not always a complete plan
A Texas will or trust works well for Texas property. Real estate located elsewhere is usually governed by the law of the place where it sits. That is true across borders, and it is also true for Puerto Rico.
So the first step is a map. We list every asset, where it is located, how title is held and who the people are. Only then do we design the structure.
Estate planning for property in Puerto Rico from Texas
Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory, but its succession system comes from the civil-law tradition, not from Texas common law. One feature often surprises families: forced heirship, known as herencia forzosa or legítima. Under that approach, certain close relatives, such as children, may be entitled to a protected share of an estate.
Real property in Puerto Rico generally follows Puerto Rico law. A Texas will or trust may not control that property the way you expect, and a Texas document may need extra steps before it is accepted there. Puerto Rico's succession rules have also been updated in recent years, which is one more reason to confirm current rules with local counsel.
Attorney Alers was born and raised in Puerto Rico and practiced law there with her own firm. She is licensed in both Texas and Puerto Rico. That background helps us explain these differences in plain terms, in English or Spanish. Alers Law coordinates with local counsel where the property sits, so the Puerto Rico piece is handled under Puerto Rico law.
Inheritance of property in Mexico for Texas residents
Property in Mexico typically involves Mexican procedures, often through a notario, a government-authorized legal professional with a broader role than a notary in Texas. Title, ownership structure and succession steps can differ from what Texas families expect.
The details depend on the type of property, how it is held and where it is located. We keep our role clear: we design your overall plan in Texas and coordinate with Mexican counsel on the local side. We do not guess at local rules.
Why we coordinate with local counsel
Foreign and territorial law is a local matter. The right approach is a team approach.
- Your Texas plan addresses your Texas assets, your guardians and your family's overall goals.
- Local counsel addresses title, formalities and succession steps where the foreign property sits.
- We make sure the two do not contradict each other.
A contradiction is the most common problem. A Texas trust may say one thing while a local will says another. We align them from the start.
Family members abroad as heirs, trustees or agents
International families often name relatives who live elsewhere. That can work well, but it needs planning.
- Heirs abroad: Receiving assets across borders may involve local procedures and paperwork.
- Trustees or executors abroad: We discuss practical questions, such as availability, language and access to documents, and whether a backup in Texas makes sense.
- Guardians for minor children: If relatives abroad are your first choice, we talk through how that would work in practice.
- Powers of attorney and healthcare directives: Choose agents who can act when needed, wherever they live.
Documents in two languages
Your family may read Spanish more comfortably than English, and foreign offices may need Spanish versions. We work in both languages, so you understand what you sign and your relatives understand the plan.
Texas documents generally govern in Texas. For use abroad, a certified translation or additional local formalities may be required. We coordinate those details with local counsel, so your documents are usable where they are needed.
U.S. tax reporting of foreign assets
Owning assets abroad can bring U.S. tax and reporting considerations. We mention this only in general terms. Tax rules change and depend on your facts. We will flag the issue during your planning and coordinate with your CPA, who should advise you on reporting and tax decisions.
Questions to bring to your Strategy Session
- Which properties or accounts do we own outside Texas? Where, and how is title held?
- Who are our family members abroad? Which are citizens or residents of other countries?
- Who do we want as heirs, trustees, executors and guardians?
- Do we already have a will or other documents in another country?
- Are there co-owners, such as siblings or parents, on any property?
- Do we want documents in English, Spanish or both?
- Does anyone abroad need to act for us if we are incapacitated?
- Who is our CPA, and have we told them about foreign assets?
- Do we have deeds, titles and account statements to bring?
How we work with you
Not just documents. A strategy for everything you've built. Our process begins with the Alers Legacy Strategy Session, followed by the Legacy Design Meeting, Precision Drafting, the Legacy Walkthrough and the Legacy Signing Ceremony. See each step on our estate planning process page. Your plan is quoted as one fixed fee after the Legacy Design Meeting, with no hourly billing.
Related reading: our estate planning overview, will vs. living trust guide for choosing between a will and a trust, and moving to Texas guide if you relocated to Texas from another state or country.
Book your Alers Legacy Strategy Session. Se habla español. Offices in Frisco and Denton, Texas.
Not sure where to start? Schedule a free 15-minute discovery call with our team.
FAQs
Does my Texas will cover my property in Puerto Rico?
Not necessarily. Real property in Puerto Rico generally follows Puerto Rico law, including its forced heirship rules. A Texas will may need additional steps there. We coordinate with local counsel so the plans work together.
What is forced heirship?
Forced heirship, called herencia forzosa or legítima in Puerto Rico, protects a share of an estate for certain close relatives, such as children. It limits how freely an owner can leave that property. Local counsel can confirm how current rules apply.
Can I inherit or leave property in Mexico as a Texas resident?
Often yes, but Mexican procedures usually apply, commonly through a notario. The steps depend on the property and how it is held. We design your overall plan and coordinate with Mexican counsel.
Do you handle the foreign legal work yourselves?
We design your overall strategy in Texas and coordinate with local counsel where the property sits. Foreign and territorial law is handled by lawyers authorized there. This keeps each part of your plan accurate.
Can you prepare documents in Spanish?
Yes. We serve families in English and Spanish, and we can discuss bilingual documents and translations. Some uses abroad may require certified translations or local formalities, which we coordinate with local counsel.