Wills & Estate Planning

A will that is invalid in form is worth nothing, and a will that ignores the protected heirs under Vietnamese law will be partially overridden. Both are common, and both are discovered only after death.

Wise Counsel prepares wills and estate plans for Vietnamese and foreign clients, including estates with assets in more than one country.

What we help with

• Advising on the form requirements for a valid will in Vietnam
• Drafting wills and notarising them where appropriate
• Advising on heirs entitled to a share regardless of the will's terms
• Planning for assets held in different countries and the risk of conflicting wills
• Advising on how land use rights and company shares pass on death
• Appointing executors and setting out administration instructions
• Structuring lifetime gifts as an alternative to inheritance
• Reviewing and updating existing wills after marriage, divorce or acquisition of assets

A will costs little to prepare properly and prevents disputes that can consume a substantial part of the estate. We recommend reviewing it whenever family or assets change.