I have a question with respect to estate planning. I am a British
citizen now resident in the US and intend to draft a Revocable Living
Trust to serve as the legal owner of my US assets, to avoid probate in
the US.  I would like to have my real estate property assets in Norway
retitled into the US Revocable Living Trust (I lived in Norway the
last 8 years - my Norwegian wife and I own 3 properties there).  Can
this be done without
any adverse income tax or estate (inheritance) tax consequences in
Norway and France?  I say France, because my wife is half Norwegian,
half French, and my 15 month old daughter therefore can hold Britsh, French and
Norwegian citizenship. My desire is to avoid the probate (legal
secession) process in Norway and France.  As to the estate planning
considerations, the Revocable Living Trust will create three trusts
upon my death. My spouse's community interest will pass into her
Revocable Living Trust.  My community and separate property interest
will fund a family trust to a $1.5 million maximum and the excess will
fund a bypass trust.  This combination will allow $3 million to pass
to my children free of estate tax and legal administration.
 
The answer should include ways to minimize legal expense and minimize
income and estate taxes in Norway and France.