My grandmother recently communicated to me that she has set aside 50,000 USD for me and wants to know the best way to give it to me that will incur the least tax burden. My fiance and I are looking into inheritance lawyers, but any advice or insight would be appreciated so we can better understand our situation and how to best explain things to a potential lawyer.
Me: I'm an American that has been living in Japan for 13 years. I am currently in the process of naturalizing to Japanese citizenship, and my case worker estimates the results to come summer 2026. Not to count my eggs before they hatch, but it's looking very likely to be an OKAY.
My dad (aged 67) has suggested taking the money for the interim if my grandma dies before we figure things out, so perhaps that will give us extra time to decide how to best proceed. (On a side note, I trust him to not be irresponsible with that money, ha ha.)
Fiance: Canadian currently living in Canada. After I naturalize they'll marry me and move here permanently, so perhaps their lack of history as a Japanese tax resident could also be a way to minimize tax burden.
Hopefully that's everything! Any help appreciated!
by SnapDragin