 |
|
|
| What is an Apostille? |
Introduction
An Apostille is a special certificate that is issued to verify that a document that is to be submitted to any country that is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention, is legitimate and authentic. A government entity of each member country issues such certificate. For example, the U.S. Department of State in the U.S., and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Japan issue the Apostille.
A document with an Apostille does not require additional certification by a Consulate office, and thus, helps to lessen the burden of authenticating foreign documents. |
|
|
| How the Apostille in Japan can be used for U.S. documents |
| Estate planning documents such as the Transfer on Death Deed must be signed by the owner of the real estate property that is the subject of the Transfer on Death Deed before a notary. When a client lives in Japan, and is not able to visit the U.S., the client has the option of obtaining notarization in Japan on said document that will be recognized as a legitimate notary in the U.S. At the Japanese notary office, the notary who is in charge of foreign documents will be able to notarize a U.S. document, and attach an Apostille page that will authenticate the document as well as the notarization placed on it, for the purpose of it being acceptable in the U.S. |
|
|
|
|
| Conclusion |
| As an Apostille is often needed for legal documents including estate-related documents that needed to be authenticated outside of the U.S., it is helpful to familiarize yourself with the topic. |
|
|
| "Lawyer on Air" Podcast with Guest Yuka Hongo |
Yuka Hongo talks to host Catherine O'Connell in a recent episode of "Lawyer on Air" podcast. In "Finding Your Niche in the Law" (Episode 7), you'll hear:
– A fabulous recommendation for your next trip to Hawaii
– Why Yuka considers herself a nomad
– How Yuka helps people in her own niche law practice in Hawaii
– Why she started her own practice and her simple yet powerful tip for people considering this
– What Yuka wishes she has known when she was starting out in her own practice
– Yuka’s surprising hobby given that she lives in Hawaii
– Her favorite podcast and other fun facts
And in a bonus "Lawyer on Air" episode Yuka gives a window into what she sees in her work and hopes that it will help you on your way to finding out what you need in your own plans too. In the bonus episode you'll hear:
– What happens when someone passes away without a will in the country assets are held
– How Yuka helps people to plan for this in advance or to deal with probate in the USA
– What it’s like to work in estate planning and some of the situations that arise
Listen to Episode 7: https://www.catherineoconnelllaw.com/podcast/episode-seven-yuka-hongo
Listen to Bonus Episode: https://www.catherineoconnelllaw.com/podcast/bonus-episode-estate-planning |
|
| |
|
| Client Comments |
| "Lawyers in the U.S. can be difficult to talk to at times, but I think people find it easy to talk to Ms. Hongo. I also like the fact that Ms. Hongo follows up with her clients on a timely basis." |
| Sachiko Trillo, Honolulu |
|
|
| "Hongo Tsuji Tax & Consulting, our accounting firm, introduced me to Ms. Hongo. I consulted her with regards to estate planning, and I appreciated the fact that she took care of our documents in a timely manner." |
| K.A., Tokyo |
|
|
| |
|
| "I appreciated Ms. Hongo's professional expertise and the kind way in which she took care of our matter. I am truly happy that she helped us." |
| Mitsuko Seto, Osaka |
|
|
| "Ms. Hongo not only prepared my trust, but also took care of legal matters involving my company. Her fee is reasonable and she follows up with you in a timely manner." |
| S. Suzuki, Company Owner |
|
|
| |
|
| "Ms. Hongo took care of our matter in a kind manner. We liked the fact that her office was located in Waikiki, near our home." |
| Sugiyama, Waikiki |
|
|
| "I became a successor to 2 condominiums that my wife owned in Hawaii, after my wife passed away. Ms. Hongo took care of our probate matter in a short timeframe of 1 year. We feel very grateful to her." |
| Shuichi Sakamoto, Nasu |
|
|
| |
|
| "Our clients were very satisfied with Ms. Hongo's service because she was able to explain matters such as probate in an easy-to-understand manner. Ms. Hongo is someone we can rely on for any matter." |
| Noboru Ohhashi, List Sotheby's, Tokyo |
|
|
| "Given that the U.S. real estate recording process and its pertaining laws differ from those of Japan, and it is difficult to learn about them in English, I appreciated Ms. Hongo being able to explain them to me in an understandable manner. I would like to seek her help in the future for other matters." |
| K. Iwasaki, Honolulu |
|
|
| |
|
| "Ms. Hongo helped me with the estate planning for my real estate in Hawaii. I was glad she was able to help me during her visit in Japan." |
| S.T., Kawasaki |
|
|
| "It was our long-term goal to prepare a trust for our family. We are now able to take the next step in our lives, as Ms. Hongo applied her proficient bilingual skills to efficiently take care of our matter. We are very grateful for what she did for us." |
| A.P., Honolulu |
|
|
| |
|
| You're invited to call or email |
"If you have questions about estate planning/administration or captive insurance, please don't hesitate to call. I'll be glad to hear from you." – Yuka
Call (808) 237-9944 or email yuka.hongo12@gmail.com |
|
|
|
|
|
| Meet Yuka Hongo, Esq. |
| Yuka Hongo is a respected estate planning attorney based in Honolulu, Hawaii. She has practiced law for 10 years and is fluent in both English and Japanese. |
|
|
| |
|
Practice Areas: Yuka represents clients in matters relating to estate planning/administration, including probate and the preparation of transfer on death deeds. In addition, she assists clients in forming captive insurance companies in the State of Hawaii, and performing the corporate maintenance work on an ongoing basis for such companies.
Education: In 2000, Yuka graduated from Oberlin College (Oberlin, OH), where she earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Economics and East Asian Studies. In 2004, she graduated from Loyola Law School (Los Angeles, CA), where she earned her Juris Doctor Degree.
Court Admissions and Bar Memberships: Yuka is a member of the Hawaii, California, the District of Columbia Bar, and New York Bar Associations. Yuka is a member of the International Law Section of the Hawaii State Bar.
Additional Qualifications: Yuka is a Certifying Acceptance Agent who can obtain the ITIN tax number for foreigners in the U.S. In addition, she is a life insurance agent and a licensed notary public in Hawaii. Also, Yuka is fully bilingual in Japanese and English and has in-depth experience including complicated translations working with both languages.
Multicultural Background: Yuka has experience living and working in both the U.S. and Japan and has a thorough understanding of both cultures and the people who live in both countries. In addition, she loves working with people from other multicultural backgrounds, and working on international matters.
Accounting Experience: Yuka worked for the Tokyo office of a prominent U.S. accounting firm for the past number of years and has extensive experience working with tax and legal issues that arise from cross-border transactions.
Educational Presentations: Yuka has presented seminars in Japan relating to Transfer on Death Deeds in Hawaii and trusts in the United States.
Residence & Interests: Yuka lives in Honolulu, Hawaii and is single. She enjoys scoping out new eateries and restaurants. |
| |
| Add a friend to our list |
If you have a friend or colleague who would like to receive this newsletter, please give us the person's name and email address and we'll add them to our distribution list. Thanks.
You can also connect with Yuka on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and YouTube. |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
