Moving to Europe? Before you pack your bags, make sure your finances are ready.

In this episode of Gimme Some Truth, Nate, Stan, and Syl break down the most common — and costly — financial mistakes Americans make when moving abroad. From mishandling US retirement accounts to holding the wrong investments in a foreign country, these errors can cost you thousands in unnecessary taxes and penalties.

Whether you're planning a move to France, Germany, the Netherlands, or anywhere in the EU, this video covers what you need to know about 529 plans, IRAs, 401(k)s, TSP rollovers, tax treaties, and building a portable investment portfolio.

🔑 Key topics covered:

— Why you need to talk to a financial advisor BEFORE you move

— How 529 plans and custodial accounts create problems overseas

— IRA and 401(k) rollover strategies for expats

— Country-by-country tax rules across Europe

— The TSP rollover trap (and the major tax savings opportunity most people miss)

— How to choose the right advisor for an international move

📌 Chapters:

• 0:00 – Introduction & Overview
• 0:27 – Why Timing Matters: Contact an Advisor Before You Move
• 1:32 – Three Categories of Common Mistakes
• 2:27 – US-Specific Account Structures: 529 Plans & Custodial Accounts
• 5:34 – Why 529 Plans Are a Problem in Europe
• 7:47 – IRAs, 401(k)s & Retirement Account Rollovers
• 9:27 – Country-by-Country Tax Rules in Europe
• 11:14 – Tax Treaties & Government Pension Plans
• 14:39 – The TSP Rollover Trap: A Major Tax Savings Opportunity
• 16:31 – Investment Holdings & Portability of Portfolios
• 18:03 – Choosing the Right Advisor for International Moves
• 20:23 – Disclaimers

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📩 Thinking about moving abroad? Reach out to Walkner Condon for guidance on your specific situation.

#MovingToEurope #AmericanExpat #ExpatFinance #ExpatTaxes #401k #IRA #TSP #529Plan #InternationalTax #FinancialPlanning #ExpatLife #movingabroad

🔔 Subscribe for More Insights on Financial Planning, Investing, and Retirement:

👉 Subscribe to our channel and never miss an episode of Gimme Some Truth- @usexpatinvesting and @walknercondon

🌐 Learn More About Walkner Condon Financial Advisors:

Visit: https://walknercondon.com

🌍 Are You a U.S. Expat?

We specialize in financial planning for Americans abroad:

Explore our dedicated expat site: https://usexpatinvesting.com

📣 Connect with Us on Social Media:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/walknercondon

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/walknercondon

Thinking about moving to France or buying French real estate? In this episode of Gimme Some Truth, we talk with Philippe Henky from Squair Law, a French tax attorney with over 10 years of experience advising U.S. nationals on French tax law, estate planning, and cross-border real estate transactions.

Philippe walks through the biggest financial and legal pitfalls Americans face when relocating to France — from inheritance taxes that can reach 45–60% to forced heirship rules that may override your U.S. estate plan. We cover practical strategies like usufruct (division of ownership), how to structure property purchases (share deal vs. asset deal), and why the difference between a holiday home and a primary residence matters more than you think.

We also unpack a common source of confusion: the U.S.–France income tax treaty vs. the estate tax treaty, and why mixing them up can be costly. Plus, Philippe explains how French law treats U.S. trusts (spoiler: not the way you'd expect) and why you should always get your own notary and attorney when buying property in France.

Whether you're planning a permanent move, purchasing a vacation home, or just exploring your options, this episode gives you the framework to make smarter decisions — ideally before you sign anything.

Key topics covered:

• French inheritance tax rates (45–60%) and how to reduce your exposure
• Usufruct and division of ownership strategies
• Do Americans need a French will? Understanding forced heirship rules
• Electing U.S. law in a French will
• U.S.– France income tax treaty vs. estate tax treaty
• How trusts are taxed under French law
• Buying property in France: holiday home vs. primary residence structuring
• Share deal vs. asset deal when acquiring French real estate
• Why you must plan before you buy
• Choosing your own notary and legal counsel

📩 Contact Philippe Henky at Squair Law: https://www.squairlaw.com/en

Timestamps:

0:00 – Introduction & Philippe's background

2:27 – French inheritance tax overview (rates up to 45–60%)

3:15 – Usufruct/division of ownership strategy

4:23 – Income tax vs. inheritance tax in France

5:26 – Do you need a French will? Forced heirship rules

7:33 – Electing U.S. law in your French will

16:12 – U.S.–France income tax treaty vs. estate tax treaty

17:40 – How trusts are taxed in France

19:21 – Real estate: planning before you buy

20:09 – Holiday home vs. primary residence structuring

21:47 – Share deals vs. asset deals for French property

23:04 – Always get your own notary and counsel

23:57 – Closing thoughts & key takeaways

🌐 Learn More About Walkner Condon Financial Advisors:Visit: https://walknercondon.com

🌍 Are You a U.S. Expat?Explore our dedicated expat site: https://usexpatinvesting.com

📣 Connect with Us on Social Media:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/walknercondon

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/walknercondon

Join hosts Syl Michelin, CFA and Clint Walkner as they break down the key market themes from Q1 2026. In this episode, Syl and Clint cut through the headlines to focus on what the market is actually telling investors — covering geopolitical tensions, energy prices, AI infrastructure spending, the SaaS selloff, crypto, gold, bonds, and international stocks. From the 10% market correction to the value vs. growth repricing, they analyze what matters most for your portfolio in 2026.

Whether you're evaluating US mega cap tech valuations after the selloff, considering international diversification, or wondering if bonds deserve a place in your portfolio, this episode delivers data-driven market analysis you can act on.

Topics covered: Q1 2026 market recap, geopolitical risk and market corrections, oil prices in historical context, AI energy demand and infrastructure, SaaS creative destruction, value vs. growth investing, crypto and gold performance, market timing pitfalls, bond investing in 2026, international stocks vs. US stocks, non-USD diversification strategies.

📌 Chapters:

0:00 – Introduction & Q1 2026 Market Overview

0:29 – Disconnect Between Headlines & Market Reality

1:27 – Geopolitical Tensions & the 10% Market Correction

2:35 – Oil Prices in Historical Context

3:55 – AI Infrastructure & the Energy Demand Problem

7:20 – The SaaS Apocalypse & Creative Destruction

9:55 – Value vs. Growth Repricing in Q1 2026

10:40 – US Mega Cap Tech Valuations After the Selloff

11:10 – Crypto & Gold Selloff Explained

13:54 – Why Timing the Market Around Events Fails

16:34 – International Stocks vs. US Stocks

17:57 – The Case for Bonds in 2026

18:54 – International Bonds & Non-USD Diversification

🔔 Subscribe for More Insights on Financial Planning, Investing, and Retirement:

👉 Subscribe to our channel and never miss an episode of Gimme Some Truth- @usexpatinvesting and @walknercondon

🌐 Learn More About Walkner Condon Financial Advisors:

Visit: https://walknercondon.com

🌍 Are You a U.S. Expat?

We specialize in financial planning for Americans abroad:

Explore our dedicated expat site: https://usexpatinvesting.com

📣 Connect with Us on Social Media:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/walknercondon

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/walknercondon