Foreigners often think in $10,000 increments because that’s the maximum amount that can be brought to the U.S. without getting attorneys or other people involved, she says. She has also noticed that Mexican clients, particularly older ones, are often very secretive about their assets and goals. “Even though we’re super comprehensive with most clients,” she says, Mexican clients typically just want to focus on specific objectives they hire her for—so she does.
Metzger studies IRS regulations to see how they impact people with different visas. She also seeks involvement from estate planning attorneys and CPAs who work with clients that live and work in more than one country.
“You may know all the laws and trends in the U.S.,” she says, “but if you really don’t have the familiarity with both countries, it’s going to disadvantage you.”