Prior to even coming to Japan, I have always been a goal oriented person. I like to plan for the future and I place an emphasis on having my estate in order for my immediate family and future generations. This preparation has never stopped just because I live in Japan. In fact, since I have been here for around 11 years, my desire to `be ready` has been intensified.
As an expat living in Japan, have you ever asked yourself the question, `What will happen when I die?` Or more importantly, `What will happen to my personal belongings, banks account and assets, and most importantly `my body when I die?`
Some of the foreigners living in Japan, are married with children. Some of them have Japanese spouses; therefore, I assume the foreign (dead) persons` belonging and assets would go to their families in Japan (whether they are Japanese family or a foreign family). This seems like a more straightforward process (I assume) than a person that is living alone and is single in Japan.
As a single person living in Japan with spouse or children, this makes my case even more compelling; therefore, I am working with my Japanese lawyer to decide the best course of action. Anyways, this is a very detailed process so I will writing a follow up Blog Post about the steps to get a `Will & Testament` in Japan! In the meantime, here are some questions you can ask yourself:
Am I single or married?
What assets do I have in Japan?
If I die (and I want to be embalmed), have I already arranged for my body to be sent to my home country?
References
U.S. Embassy & Consulates in Japan. Citizen Services Death of a U.S. Citizen. Retrieved from https://jp.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/death-of-a-u-s-citizen/
Smartly made in NYC. Inheritance Law in Ohio. Retrieved from https://smartasset.com/estate-planning/ohio-inheritance-laws
As an expat living in Japan, have you ever asked yourself the question, `What will happen when I die?` Or more importantly, `What will happen to my personal belongings, banks account and assets, and most importantly `my body when I die?`
Some of the foreigners living in Japan, are married with children. Some of them have Japanese spouses; therefore, I assume the foreign (dead) persons` belonging and assets would go to their families in Japan (whether they are Japanese family or a foreign family). This seems like a more straightforward process (I assume) than a person that is living alone and is single in Japan.
As a single person living in Japan with spouse or children, this makes my case even more compelling; therefore, I am working with my Japanese lawyer to decide the best course of action. Anyways, this is a very detailed process so I will writing a follow up Blog Post about the steps to get a `Will & Testament` in Japan! In the meantime, here are some questions you can ask yourself:
Am I single or married?
- If I am single, where will my personal belongings, assets, and body be allocated to?
- Do I want to be cremated because in Japan everyone is cremated?
- If I do not want to be cremated, what can I do to prevent this from happening?
What assets do I have in Japan?
- If I die (and I am married), how will these assets be allocated to my family in Japan?
- If I die (and I am single), how will these assets be allocated to my family overseas?
If I die (and I want to be embalmed), have I already arranged for my body to be sent to my home country?
- If so, how much does it costs?
- What is the step by step process?
References
U.S. Embassy & Consulates in Japan. Citizen Services Death of a U.S. Citizen. Retrieved from https://jp.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/death-of-a-u-s-citizen/
Smartly made in NYC. Inheritance Law in Ohio. Retrieved from https://smartasset.com/estate-planning/ohio-inheritance-laws