Synold & Associates

U.S. Based Lawyer Specializing in International Probate, Cross-Border Estate Planning and Trust Law

 Background

Jerome Synold focuses his practice on international probate and estate planning matters that have a nexus to the United States. Mr. Synold is based in California and has significant experience advising clients on matters within the San Francisco, Los Angeles, Orange County and San Diego jurisdictions.  Mr. Synold’s broad experience and educational background allow him to provide superior representation while remaining approachable and responsive to his clients’ needs. 

Mr. Synold’s diverse educational background has enhanced his ability to represent a diverse client base in international matters.  Mr. Synold received his Juris Doctor degree from the University of San Diego School of Law where he received three CALI Excellence for the Future awards.  Mr. Synold received his Bachelor Degree in Economics from the University of California of San Diego and a Master of Laws degree in European Business Law from Aix-Marseille III. Mr. Synold has studied in several foreign jurisdictions including France and South Africa where he received a certificate in South African Law from the University of Cape Town. Jerome Synold is licensed in California and the federal courts of the Southern District of California.

Prior to starting Synold & Associates, Mr. Synold worked for several national corporate firms where he helped litigate securities cases resulting in over $2 billion in settlements. Mr. Synold assisted in prosecuting several matters including In re Lehman Brothers Equity/Debt Securities Litigation resulting in a combined settlement of over $700 million and one of the highest awards against an auditor, E&Y. Mr. Synold’s litigation background has served as valuable asset in representing clients in contentious matters and negotiating with government agencies and financial institutions.

Mr. Synold utilizes his broad educational and professional experiences to provide superior representation. Mr. Synold also works closely with his German colleagues to provide substantive analysis on complex matters involving both domestic and international law. The product of this relationship is specialized representation that ensures that clients receive effective and efficient service.  

International Inheritance Matters 

Mr. Synold advises and represents clients in inheritance matters in multiple jurisdictions. A typical matter involves an individual who dies leaving assets in two or more jurisdictions. Many of these matters concern individuals who die domiciled in Germany or the U.S. who leave assets in both jurisdictions. Such matters require analysis regarding the laws of both jurisdictions as well as a deep understanding of the applicable treaties and other international laws. Further, such matters often require a conflict of laws analysis.  In sum, Mr. Synold along with his colleagues analyze all relevant issues to provide comprehensive representation thereby avoiding any unintended consequences.

Specializations:

Probate 

Mr. Synold routinely serves as a fiduciary and/or administrator of probate estates leading to an efficient distribution of estate assets. Mr. Synold also represents fiduciaries (administrators and executors) as the named attorney for the fiduciary providing legal advice guiding the fiduciary through every step of the probate process. Should a probate matter become contentious, Mr. Synold represents his clients as they litigate and/or negotiate towards a resolution.

Many clients are based abroad and will be beneficiaries of estates located in the U.S. Mr. Synold represents such clients an assists them in navigating the time consuming and complex probate regime in the U.S. Conversely, Mr. Synold in consultation with his colleagues, represents U.S. clients who are beneficiaries and/or interested parties of estates with assets in Europe.

Many clients will find that they are beneficiaries of estates with assets located in financial institutions in foreign jurisdictions. Such financial institutions often subject such distributions and liquidations to a myriad of convoluted requirements including tax certificates, ITINs, apostilles, consulate certifications, and tax opinions. As part of his practice, Mr. Synold has worked with the majority of these large financial institutions and the IRS to effectuate efficient distributions for his clients. 

Trust Law

Trusts are commonly used as estate planning instruments in the U.S. However, for many countries in Continental Europe and other civil law countries, trust law is unknown. Accordingly, the recognition of trusts in such jurisdictions can be complicated and result in unintended consequences. Mr. Synold along with his European colleagues specialize in advising clients regarding the recognition of trusts in Europe and navigating any complications that may arise. For those who are unfamiliar with trust law in common law countries, Mr. Synold advises such clients on trust law in the U.S. with an understanding of the legal and tax complications that may be implicated in their home countries.

Estate and Tax Planning

Working with his European colleagues, Mr. Synold provides legal services analyzing the tax and legal applications of cross-border estate plans. Many contradictory laws and tax codes can be implicated when an individual dies leaving assets in multiple countries. Additionally, designating beneficiaries domiciled in multiple jurisdictions can have a similar effect. Mr. Synold along with his European colleagues provide legal and tax analysis that takes into consideration all domestic and international implications in an effort to provide their clients with the most advantageous estate plan possible. In addition to estate planning, Mr. Synold advises beneficiaries and fiduciaries regarding the tax consequences of distributions and asset sales.

Representative Matters Include:

·      Serving as Administrator for Probate Matters

·      Serving as Attorney for Fiduciaries

o   Navigating Probate Process: Letters of Administration; Letters of Executorship; Publication, Bond Registration, Motions, Preliminary Distributions; Tax Filing; Final Distributions

·      Trust Drafting

·      Trust Law Analysis

·      Conflict of Laws Analysis

·      Achieving recognition from German courts for U.S. estate planning instruments including issuance of German Letters Testamentary (“Testamentsvollstreckerzeugnis”)

·      Advising clients seeking to obtain German Certificate of Heirship (“Erbschein”)

·      Represent clients seeking the distribution of funds held by financial institutions in the U.S. and abroad

·      Obtaining tax certificates and ITINs (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number)

·      Analyzing and assessing estate plans for clients with assets in multiple jurisdictions

·      Trustee representation

·      Trust and probate litigation

Publications:

Estate Taxation of Nonresident Germans in the U.S.

Recognition of a German Will in the USA (formal validity)

 Spanish Inheritance Tax

 Taxation of the Estate of Non-resident US-citizen in Germany

 The Administration of a U.S. Domiciled Decedent’s German Assets

 USA: Estate Tax treaties

 Foreign Beneficiaries and IRA Account

 Intestate Succession and California

Mixed Marriages: U.S. Tax Implications for U.S. Citizens Married to German “Aliens”

 The Impact of Community Property on Inheritance Matters

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Jerome Synold 

San Diego Office 

5775 Oberlin Drive, Suite 301

San Diego, CA 92121 

Direct Line: 760-479-5774 ext. 1

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