Expat Financial
Planning
Tailored cross-border wealth advisory for individuals living, working, or retiring abroad.
We design compliant, tax-efficient strategies to grow your global assets and protect your family across jurisdictions.
Cross-Border Financial Advisor for the East Coast
As a fiduciary based in Vienna, Virginia, Sovereign delivers cross-border financial planning, multi-currency investment management and tax strategies for U.S. expats worldwide, dual citizens and international families across Virginia, Washington, D.C., Maryland, Delaware and Pennsylvania.
BOOK A CALL →Two Philosophies — One High Standard
Reflecting Your Individual Lifestyle
Sovereign crafts a portfolio tailored to your lifestyle, letting you choose between two distinct custodial philosophies: Schwab anchors traditional U.S. wealth management, while Interactive Brokers* drives forward-looking innovation.
Time-Tested Tradition
«Schwab is the more complete, approachable broker for most investors, pairing strong platforms with the best education and service of the two, plus a full bank».
Holistic Wealth Planning
«For investors looking to combine investing with long-term financial planning, such as saving for college, managing trusts, or donating to charity, Schwab offers more robust support...».
Cutting-Edge Innovation
«Interactive Brokers is the global professional's platform, with the lowest margin around... and trading tools that go deeper than anyone's».
Global Market Access
«Interactive Brokers reaches further than almost any broker... It trades across 36 international markets... and offers fractional ETFs».
* DISCLAIMER: Interactive Brokers LLC is a registered Broker-Dealer, Futures Commission Merchant and Forex Dealer Member, regulated by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) and the National Futures Association (NFA), and is a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) and several other self-regulatory organizations. Interactive Brokers does not endorse or recommend any introducing brokers, third-party financial advisors or hedge funds, including Sovereign Wealth Management. Interactive Brokers provides execution and clearing services to customers. None of the information contained herein constitutes a recommendation, offer, or solicitation of an offer by Interactive Brokers to buy, sell or hold any security, financial product or instrument or to engage in any specific investment strategy. Interactive Brokers makes no representation, and assumes no liability to the accuracy or completeness of the information provided. The Interactive Brokers logo is a registered trademark of Interactive Brokers LLC.
What We Do
Explore a comprehensive suite of financial services specifically designed for Americans living abroad (expats), and international families living in the US and globally; supporting your investment strategy, tax planning, and investment planning goals.
Financial Planning for Expats
Holistic financial plans for expats and immigrants, covering cash flow, savings, retirement income, education funding and major life events across borders. Special attention is given to integrating home-country assets with accounts held in North America, so your global plan works as one.
Estate Planning
Coordinated estate planning that considers multiple jurisdictions, US estate rules, and how your overseas assets pass to your chosen beneficiaries. Structures are designed to reduce administrative complexity, protect your family and reflect your long-term legacy wishes.
Tax Planning Services
Cross-border tax planning to help avoid double taxation, make use of tax treaties and structure investments efficiently as a US tax resident. The service includes working with tax professionals so that your investment choices are fully aligned with your filing obligations.
Property Investing Strategy
Advisory support on holding, buying or selling property in different countries, with an eye on tax treatment, financing, currency risk and long-term returns. Strategies are built to complement your broader portfolio rather than treat real estate as an isolated decision.
Investment Management
Evidence-based investment portfolios designed for cross-border investors, taking into account local tax rules, currency exposure and your global balance sheet. The focus is on diversified, cost-efficient strategies aligned with your risk profile and objectives as an international resident.
Schedule Your Comprehensive Portfolio Review
Expat Financial Advice Queries
Are you on track to fund your ideal lifestyle?
Our advisory process is comprehensive and personalized, taking into account both your lifestyle goals and the legacy you wish to leave behind. We carefully evaluate the full scope of your financial resources — including liquid and illiquid investments, real estate, pensions, and insurance — to help ensure those goals are achievable and sustainable over time.
Let's talk →Are you on track to fund the lifestyle you envision without becoming overly dependent on property or excessive leverage?
Our advisory process evaluates how real estate fits within your broader financial picture — including income streams, brokerage accounts, and other investments — so that property ownership supports your long-term objectives rather than distorting them. We focus on integration and strategy, not simply introducing individual property opportunities.
Let's talk →How can you legally reduce your overall tax burden while complying with US rules and any obligations in your home country?
Tax planning is integrated into investment decisions, retirement withdrawals and estate strategies, helping you keep more of what you earn over the long term. The service includes working with tax professionals so that your investment choices are fully aligned with your filing obligations.
Let's talk →Are you on track to fund your ideal lifestyle?
Our advisory process is comprehensive and personalized, taking into account both your lifestyle goals and the legacy you wish to leave behind. We carefully evaluate the full scope of your financial resources — including liquid and illiquid investments, real estate, pensions, and insurance — to help ensure those goals are achievable and sustainable over time.
Let's talk →Are you on track to fund the lifestyle you envision without becoming overly dependent on property or excessive leverage?
Our advisory process evaluates how real estate fits within your broader financial picture — including income streams, brokerage accounts, and other investments — so that property ownership supports your long-term objectives rather than distorting them. We focus on integration and strategy, not simply introducing individual property opportunities.
Let's talk →How can you legally reduce your overall tax burden while complying with US rules and any obligations in your home country?
Tax planning is integrated into investment decisions, retirement withdrawals and estate strategies, helping you keep more of what you earn over the long term. The service includes working with tax professionals so that your investment choices are fully aligned with your filing obligations.
Let's talk →Comprehensive Expat Financial Capabilities
A unified framework designed for Americans abroad and international families, integrating every facet of your cross-border wealth.
Financial Planning
- Comprehensive Financial Plan
- Plan Second Opinions
- Retirement Roadmap
- College & 529 Planning
- 401(k) & SEP Plan Management
Investment Management
- Custom Investment Strategy
- Portfolio Health Review
- Currency Hedging Solutions
- ESG & Values Preferences
- Transparent Fee Comparison
Estate & Legacy
- Multi-Jurisdictional Coordination
- Generational Wealth Transfer
- Estate Tax Mitigation Strategies
- Cross-Border Trust Structuring
- Legal & Tax Alignment
Tax Planning
- Double Taxation Defense
- Tax-Efficient Asset Location
- International Treaty Relief
- Expatriation & Exit Planning
- Tax Return Preparation Coordination*
Property Advisory
- Cross-Border Buy vs. Rent
- Asset Retention (Keep or Sell)
- International Mortgages
- Rental Yield Diagnostics
- Real Estate FX Exposure
Acquire More Actionable Insights
When a Currency Moves Twelve Percent in Three Weeks
What a repricing of the yen did to global markets — and why anyone holding assets in one currency and spending in another lives with this risk permanently.
The Dollar Sits at the Centre of Global Liquidity
Its level determines how much reaches the rest of the world. A strong dollar tightens conditions everywhere — including wherever you happen to live.
US Retirement Accounts Do Not Stop Being American
How 401(k)s and IRAs behave once withdrawals begin, and why the sequence matters more when a second tax authority is watching.
Cross-Border Checkup: 7 Questions for U.S. Expats
Answer seven yes-or-no questions. You will see which cross-border topics may apply to you, the same list we walk through in a first conversation. Nothing you click is saved or sent.
- Are you a U.S. citizen or green card holder living outside the U.S., or planning to move abroad?
- Do your bank and investment accounts outside the U.S. together exceed $10,000 at any point in the year?
- Do you own mutual funds, ETFs or investment-linked insurance bought through a bank or broker outside the U.S.?
- Do you have a pension or retirement plan in another country?
- Do you hold a 401(k), IRA or Roth IRA and live, or plan to retire, outside the U.S.?
- Do you own real estate in another country, or plan to buy or sell property abroad?
- Do you have assets or heirs in more than one country?
Your topics will appear here as you answer.
Educational information only, not tax, legal or investment advice. Filing requirements and thresholds depend on your circumstances and can change; tax returns and filings are prepared by your CPA or tax attorney.
Cross-Border Planning: Common Questions
Do you work with U.S. expats outside Virginia?
Yes. Sovereign Wealth Management is a fiduciary Registered Investment Adviser based in Vienna, Virginia. We work with clients across Virginia, Washington, D.C., Maryland, Delaware and Pennsylvania, and with Americans abroad by video and phone across time zones.
What is a PFIC, and why does it matter for Americans abroad?
A Passive Foreign Investment Company is, broadly, a non-U.S. pooled investment such as a foreign mutual fund or ETF. For U.S. taxpayers, PFICs can bring punitive tax treatment and extra reporting on Form 8621. We help clients avoid buying them and plan an orderly exit from existing holdings with their tax preparer.
What are FBAR and FATCA reporting?
U.S. persons generally must file an FBAR (FinCEN Form 114) when their foreign financial accounts together exceed $10,000 at any time in the year. FATCA (Form 8938) applies at higher thresholds, which depend on filing status and where you live. Your CPA files these; we keep the investment side organized so reporting stays simple.
Can I keep my 401(k) and IRA if I move abroad?
Usually yes, but the details matter: some U.S. custodians restrict accounts for non-U.S. addresses, and your new country may tax withdrawals or Roth accounts differently. We plan account location, custodian and withdrawal order before the move.
How do you avoid double taxation between two countries?
Tools include foreign tax credits, the foreign earned income exclusion and tax treaty provisions. Which one works best depends on your income, the country and your timeline. We coordinate the investment and withdrawal plan with your U.S. and foreign tax professionals.
Build Your Cross-Border Financial Plan
Managing wealth across jurisdictions requires clarity. Complete our quick interactive planner to project your long-term goals and receive a complimentary cross-border strategy consultation tailored to your global lifestyle.
Sovereign Wealth
Management
Services
Disclaimer & Business Continuity Plan
Sovereign Wealth Management, LLC ("Adviser") has adopted a Business Continuity Plan ("BCP") pursuant to the Investment Advisers Act and the rules and guidance of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") and/or the laws of Virginia where the Adviser is registered. The purpose of the BCP is to define the strategies and plans that will be used by Adviser during a significant business disruption ("SBD"). The BCP is prepared to address both internal SBDs, such as a fire in Adviser's building, and external SBDs, such as a natural disaster, terrorist attack, or citywide power disruption.
Our Business Continuity PlanIn the event of an SBD, Adviser will safeguard employee lives and firm property. Adviser will work to re-establish the systems necessary to quickly recover and resume operations, protect Adviser's books and records and allow Adviser's customers to transact business to the extent reasonable and practical under the circumstances. Adviser's BCP addresses: alternate office locations, customer access to funds and securities, financial and operational assessments, data backup and recovery, critical systems, alternative communications with customers, employees, and regulators, and critical business constituents.
Contacting Adviser and Accessing Funds and SecuritiesIf you are not able to contact Adviser through our regular telephone number, please contact us by email at info@sovereign.global. For questions relating directly to accessing your funds and securities, please contact your custodian, Interactive Brokers, Charles Schwab or BitGo.
Varying DisruptionsSBDs can vary in their scope, from only our firm's office, the business district where our firm is located, the city where we are located, or the whole region. Within each of these areas, the severity of the disruption can also vary from minimal to severe. During a SBD, the Adviser will continue to do business but the ability of Adviser to fully function will be dependent on outside sources outside of its control, including the availability of electricity, telephones, Internet, transportation, and the functioning of institutions and markets worldwide. Nothing in Adviser's BCP or this disclosure statement is intended to provide a guarantee or warranty regarding the actions or performance of Adviser.
Additional InformationIf you have questions about our business continuity planning, please contact us at 703-713-2954 or info@sovereign.global.