The "Island Exit" Protocol: Why Most Expats Fail (And How to Secure Your Legacy)

Moving to the Dominican Republic isn't a permanent vacation. It is a logistics operation. If you treat it like a holiday, you will burn through your savings and be back in the US within six months.

I see it constantly. People see the beaches on Instagram and pack their bags, but they ignore the infrastructure, the legal framework, and the financial reality.

You don't just need a plane ticket. You need a protocol. Move to the Dominican Republic

At Jerry & Sheila Island Living, we operate on a three-phase system. If you are serious about leaving the rat race and building a life in Santo Domingo Este, you need to follow these steps in order.

Phase 1: The Intel (Secure Your Legacy)

Most people think a simple Will protects them. It doesn’t.

A Will is just a letter to a judge. If you pass away, your assets freeze. Your family has to wait 9 to 18 months for probate court to release the funds. In a foreign country, that delay is catastrophic.

You need a Revocable Living Trust...

what I call "The Locked Box." It bypasses probate, keeps your business private, and gives your family instant access to liquid cash.

I have documented our entire financial framework in a guide called OPERATION LEGACY: The Anti-Probate Protocol. It covers the "3 Buckets of Deployment" and the exact legal structures we use to protect our wealth across borders.

I am not selling this information. I am giving it away because I want you to start on solid ground.

Get the Operation Legacy SOP Sent to Your Inbox.

GET THE FREE LEGACY GUIDE

(Note: This is not legal advice. This is the exact Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) we use.)

Phase 2: The Recon (Boots on the Ground)

You cannot understand the Dominican Republic by watching YouTube videos. You have to feel the humidity, hear the noise, and navigate the traffic.

Do not sell your house in the US until you have done a proper reconnaissance mission.

We set up our Airbnbs in Santo Domingo Este specifically for this purpose. These aren't resort bubbles. They are real homes in a real neighborhood. This is your Forward Operating Base to test if you can actually handle the lifestyle here before you commit 100%.

Book Your Recon Trip in SDE

Phase 3: The Strategy (Custom Execution)

You have the Intel (the PDF). You’ve done the Recon (the Airbnb). Now you need the orders.

Everyone’s situation is different. You might have a VA disability rating, a pension, a remote business, or kids in school. You need a timeline that fits your specific variables.

Stop guessing. If you want to review your budget, plan your exit dates, or understand how to navigate life with a partner who doesn't speak English (or Spanish), let’s get on a call. We will build your roadmap together.

Book a 1-on-1 Strategy Call

The Bottom Line

The dream is free. The execution costs effort.

1. Download the Protocol (Get the PDF).

2. Scout the Territory (Book the Airbnb).

3. Build the Plan (Book the Consult).

See you on the island.

• Jerry