Living in Israel while keeping U.S. brokerage and IRA accounts usually works without much friction, until one day it doesn’t. A login attempt fails. A transaction takes longer than expected. A message appears that feels unfamiliar. Nothing dramatic has happened, yet something feels off, and the natural question is why now?
For many Americans living in Israel, this moment comes as a surprise. The move itself is not necessarily the cause, and it is rarely about investment performance. More often, the issue sits in a less visible place: how communication works when an account is managed across borders.
Why Communication Matters More Than It Seems
U.S. brokerage firms operate in environments built around monitoring patterns and verifying intent. When something changes, such as a new device, a different login location, or activity that does not match past behavior, systems are designed to ask for confirmation. This does not mean someone suspects wrongdoing. It reflects how firms are expected to manage risk and protect accounts.
If a firm tries to reach an account holder and does not get a response, the situation can shift. From the firm’s point of view, silence introduces uncertainty. In many cases, that uncertainty leads to added caution, which can show up as delays, additional verification steps, or temporary restrictions on certain actions. None of this is automatic or guaranteed, but it is common enough that it catches people off guard.
This is why many account frustrations do not begin with investment decisions. They often begin with missed connections.
The Overlooked Setup Detail That Can Make a Difference
There is a small administrative detail that rarely gets attention until it matters: the trusted contact. The name can sound formal, which sometimes leads people to assume it involves giving up control. In practice, it is much more limited.
A trusted contact is not a power of attorney. He or she does not gain authority over the account, cannot place trades, move money, or access balances. The role exists for narrow circumstances when the brokerage firm cannot reach the account holder and needs basic context.
A useful way to think about it is an emergency contact at a doctor’s office. That person does not make medical decisions. He or she is simply someone the office can call if something does not add up or communication breaks down. A trusted contact serves a similar purpose for a brokerage account.
Why This Comes Up More Often for Americans Living Abroad
Living in Israel while maintaining U.S. investment accounts means navigating two systems with different assumptions. U.S. firms tend to expect availability during U.S. business hours, stable contact details, and quick responses. Real life overseas does not always align with that model.
Travel, family interruptions, health issues, or changes in phone and internet access can all disrupt routine communication. When those disruptions happen, a brokerage firm may not know whether the situation is temporary, intentional, or something that requires closer attention. Without context, firms often lean toward caution.
Having a trusted contact does not prevent every issue, and it does not eliminate delays altogether. It can, however, help provide context that allows the firm to respond more proportionately when communication is interrupted.
Boundaries Are Built in by Design
A common hesitation is the fear of losing independence. Naming a trusted contact can feel like opening the door to outside involvement. That concern is understandable, but it tends to overestimate what the role actually allows.
Trusted contacts do not act on accounts. They do not make decisions or override instructions. Their role is intentionally narrow and informational. In situations where activity looks unfamiliar and the account holder cannot be reached, the trusted contact helps confirm whether the circumstances make sense.
In some cases, that added clarity can reduce the likelihood of broader restrictions. In others, it may simply shorten the time it takes to resolve questions. Either way, the presence of context often gives firms more flexibility than they would have otherwise.
Planning for Continuity Rather Than Certainty
Some people resist naming a trusted contact because it feels like planning for a problem. Another way to look at it is planning for normal interruptions. Life rarely unfolds in straight lines, especially when it spans countries, time zones, and systems.
No setup can eliminate risk entirely. Accounts can still experience delays. Processes can still feel slow or frustrating. What thoughtful planning can do is reduce the chance that small disruptions turn into larger administrative headaches.
This article is for educational purposes only and is not intended as financial, legal, or tax advice. Circumstances vary, and professional guidance should be sought before making decisions.
A Practical Next Step
If you are unsure how your U.S. brokerage or IRA accounts are currently structured, or whether a trusted contact is already in place, it may be worth reviewing. These details tend to matter most when they are missing.
If you would like to talk through your situation, Profile Investment Services, Ltd. offers a free introductory call. It is a chance to review how your accounts are set up, discuss how living in Israel affects the picture, and see whether working together makes sense.
Schedule your free introductory call to see if we’re a good fit:
https://profile-financial.com/call
