Doctors’ Foreign Investments: Secure Wealth, Avoid Family Wars
Your wealth should unite your family, not divide it.
The Story of Dr. Anil Menon
Dr. Anil Menon, a 48-year-old cardiologist from Kochi, thought he had planned everything perfectly.
Years of long hospital hours, late-night emergency calls, and endless conference trips had paid off:
- A beautiful home in Kerala
- A flat in London
- A US brokerage account
- Sizeable NRE deposits in India
One evening, he smiled in his study, reassured that his family would be secure no matter what.
But when tragedy struck suddenly, his loved ones discovered the fine print of cross-border wealth — and the chaos it can cause when planning is incomplete.
When Planning Falls Short
- The London flat was stuck in probate — there was no UK-specific will
- The US brokerage account required complex tax filings his wife had never seen
- The NRE deposits listed his wife as nominee, but his will named his son
- His daughter was a minor — yet guardianship wasn’t recorded anywhere
Result?
Three countries. Four courtrooms. Years of disputes.
Three countries. Four courtrooms. Years of disputes.
This isn’t fiction.
It’s a reality faced by many Indian doctors with foreign assets.
It’s a reality faced by many Indian doctors with foreign assets.
The Nominee ≠ Owner Trap
Most doctors assume that a nominee automatically inherits the asset.
But under Indian law, a nominee is only a caretaker.
True ownership passes according to the will or succession laws.
But under Indian law, a nominee is only a caretaker.
True ownership passes according to the will or succession laws.
Now, add foreign jurisdictions to the mix, and it gets even messier:
- US Retirement Accounts (401k / IRA): Easy to nominate, but heirs face withholding taxes and complex filings
- UK ISAs or Properties: Expect inheritance taxes, probate delays, and nominee rights that often don’t transfer automatically
- NRE Deposits: Nominees can access funds temporarily, but FEMA restrictions and conflicting Indian succession laws can freeze funds if heirs live abroad
Without synchronizing wills and nominations, families can spend years navigating unnecessary disputes.
The Guardianship Gap
For doctors with minor children, the risks multiply.
Imagine both parents pass away while living abroad. Who takes custody of the kids?
If guardianship isn’t explicitly documented, Indian and foreign courts may not recognize each other’s rulings.
We’ve seen painful situations where:
We’ve seen painful situations where:
- Grandparents in India and uncles abroad fight for custody
- Courts freeze joint family assets during disputes
- Children face uncertainty and emotional stress
A single clause in your will can avoid this nightmare.
5 Steps to Safeguard Your Cross-Border Wealth
- Draft Separate Wills Where Necessary
Keep one will for India and separate wills for foreign jurisdictions if required.
Ensure they don’t contradict each other. - Keep Nominations Updated
Review them regularly — after marriage, childbirth, relocations, or property purchases. - Document Guardianship Clearly
Appoint guardians explicitly to protect your children’s future, especially when assets span multiple countries. - Use Trusts & Smart Structures
Trusts, LLPs, and joint accounts can bypass probate, reduce tax friction, and secure smoother transfers. - Seek Cross-Border Expertise
International estate planning requires specialists who understand FEMA, taxation, and inheritance laws across geographies.
The DocWealth Lens
When we work with doctors, one thing stands out:
They spend decades building wealth but often ignore planning its transfer.
They spend decades building wealth but often ignore planning its transfer.
Without aligned nominations, wills, and guardianship structures, your assets can become a source of conflict instead of security.
Planning today ensures your wealth heals, not hurts, your family tomorrow.
Take the First Step Today
We’ve built a Doctor-Only Cross-Border Wealth Planning Checklist that simplifies this entire process.
It maps your assets, heirs, and jurisdictions into a clear, actionable plan.
It maps your assets, heirs, and jurisdictions into a clear, actionable plan.
