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About Caroline
Biography
Caroline Esche Ashford is a dual-qualified attorney, licensed to practice law in Virginia, Maryland, Washington DC and (since 2009) in Germany. She is one of the very few fully trained and qualified estate and tax attorneys licensed to practice law in both countries.
A JD graduate of Columbia University Law School, Dr. Ashford advises on cross-border tax-optimized asset structuring, furthermore estate, income and gift tax issues, business succession, trust and estate administration, as well as contested trust and estate matters. She has significant experience drafting and administering complex estate plans for domestic and multinational UHNWIs and counseling fiduciaries in estate administration.
An IRS-registered tax preparer, she prepares federal estate tax returns (IRS Forms 706 and 706-NA) as well as federal gift tax returns (IRS Forms 709 and 709-NA).
Furthermore, Dr. Ashford advises European family-owned companies on expanding to the United States.
Early in her career, she was a member of the defense team that represented the Federal Republic of Germany in litigation under the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act.
Dr. Ashford is a frequent speaker before bank wealth management departments, bar associations, embassies and various international communities both in the US and in Europe.
Over the years, she has held various leadership roles in the American Bar Association.
Dr. Ashford is the founder of Ashford International Law PC, with offices in Washington DC, Los Angeles and Munich.
Ashford International Law P.C.
Practice Areas
4
Practice Areas
Estate Planning
40%
Tax
30%
Probate
20%
Contracts and Agreements
10%
Fees and Rates
Licenses
Licensed in District of Columbia for 12 years
State: District of Columbia
Acquired: 2014
No misconduct found
Licensed in Virginia for 13 years
State: Virginia
Acquired: 2013
No misconduct found
Licensed in Maryland for 13 years
State: Maryland
Acquired: 2013
No misconduct found
Location
Ashford International Law P.C.
1717 K Street Northwest, Suite 900, Washington, DC, 20006
ashfordinternationallaw.com/Ashford International Law P.C.
1901 Avenue of the Stars, 2nd Floor, Los Angeles, CA, 90067
ashfordinternationallaw.com/Gallery
Online Presence
Other places you can find Caroline online.
Caroline Esche Ashford's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
9 Client Reviews
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Showing 6 - 9 of 9 reviews
Posted by Karl-Wilhelm | August 10, 2026 | Hired Attorney
Nachlassabwicklung, Fachkompetenz
Nach Ableben meiner Ehefrau in den USA betraute ich Frau Dr. Esche mit der komplexen Nachlassabwicklung (Immobilie, andere Vermögenswerte), der Abwicklung einer Firma/Unternehmensberatung sowie den Verkauf der Immobilie, während ich mich in Deutschland um meiner schwerkranke Mutter kümmern musste. Fr...
Posted by Ross | August 09, 2026 | Hired Attorney
Very friendly and highly competent law firm
I am a German-American and approached the firm with several tax-related matters. My experience was consistently positive and exceeded my expectations. This is a truly competent and professional law firm. From the very beginning, I was welcomed in a very friendly manner by Dr. Caroline Esche and ...
Posted by Mimi | August 08, 2026 | Hired Attorney
Excellent Attorney
Dr. Caroline Esche, is an Amazing Woman and Attorney!!!!. I had the Pleasure to retain her 3 years ago as my Attorney for an Estate from my Aunt in Germany!!!. Dr. Caroline Esche is very Professional and is a kind and Caring Woman!!!. It was Truly a Pleasure and an Honor to have her Represent me!!...
Posted by Edward | August 06, 2026 | Hired Attorney
Excellent estate planning.
Dr. Caroline Esche Ashford was highly professional and personable. She ably helped me with my estate planning.
Caroline Esche Ashford's Lawyer Endorsements
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Experience
Honors
2002
PhD research grant, Friedrich Naumann Foundation
Work Experience
2015 - Present
Principal, Ashford International Law PC
2014 - 2015
Attorney, Rubin Winston Diercks Harris & Cooke LLP
Associations
2014 - Present
American Bar AssociationMember, past group co-chair
2014 - Present
District of Columbia BarAttorney Member
2013 - Present
Virginia State BarAttorney Member
2013 - Present
Maryland State Bar AssociationAttorney Member
2009 - Present
Rechtsanwaltskammer MünchenAttorney Member
2006 - Present
Deutsch-Amerikanische Juristen-VereinigungAttorney Member
Education
2012
Columbia University School of Law
JD - Juris Doctor
2006
University of Münster
Diplom-Juristin
2003
University of Münster
PhD - Doctorate
Speaking Engagements
2026
Presentation
Tax and retirement planning for Germans living in the Washington DC metro area
2023
ABA Real Property, Trust and Estate Section Meeting
Complications of Non-U.S. Persons as Designated Beneficiaries of U.S. Trusts
2021
ABA Real Property, Trust and Estate Section Meeting
IRA Planning for Account Owners and Beneficiaries Living Abroad
2019
Section of International Law Annual Conference
Tax Treaties with Switzerland, France, Germany and the UK: Impact on Investments, Retirement and Estate Planning
Publications
2026
Clarison Press
German-American Wealth Planning
2026
2026
Ashford International Law PC
The taxation of US trust distributions in Germany
Languages
English
German
French
Italian