Cross-border Tax Planning and Family Law
Korea’s tax laws can create 6-figure inheritance tax bills even for middle-class Americans.
Korea’s National Tax Service (NTS) charges up to 50% estate tax on property sited in Korea, even if the owner is a US citizen and US resident. As a result, even middle-class parents who own an apartment in Korea can face 6-figure inheritance tax liabilities.
Many Korean American parents over the age of 65 seek dual-citizenship to allow them to retire in Korea. However, Korean residency allows NTS to charge estate tax to the global estate, at much higher rates, and with lower exemptions, than in the US.
Under Korean law, children of Korean citizens can never be fully “disowned.” Instead, children are always entitled to half of a proportionate share of the estate (유류분), and can even sue their siblings for recovery. The fact that prenuptial agreements are not binding in Korea raises important questions of venue for divorce.
In this seminar, Bae, Kim & Lee attorneys Sungsoon Jang (Korea-licensed private wealth) and Andrew Chongseh Kim (US licensed cross-border disputes) will discuss the effects of Korea’s tax and family law on the lives of Korean Americans and some basic strategies for planning for the future.
Date: Tuesday, February 17, 2026
Time: 5:30 – 7:30 PM
Venue: Pillsbury San Francisco Office
Four Embarcadero Center, 22nd Floor
San Francisco, CA 94111
To RSVP, please reach out to: Pichy Jumpholwong of Pillsbury at pichy.jumpholwong@pillsburylaw.com
