Passing on my portfolio to my Japanese wife

[Daniel Mills]

Hi guys,

I'm not sure this fits in a general discussion, but here it goes:

I am a US citizen living and working in Japan. I own 8 single-family properties in the US which are all on conventional loans. They are owned in my personal name. I have a living trust that leaves all of these properties to my Japanese wife. Here is the thing. If I were to die before these loans are paid off would she have to sell them or could she get financing to keep the portfolio going? If so, is there a way I can set this up for her so that she doesn't have to do all the work (she will be devastated by my death ;)) Any suggestions of how to do this?

Sub-question: Has anyone set up a flow chart or something like that for their significant other about what to do with the properties if they die? Anyone willing to share the format or just what you are including?

Thanks,

Daniel