What is a Belize Trust?
Following the introduction of the Belize Trusts Acts in 1992, Belize has become one of the most popular centers for Offshore asset protection trusts. It offers unparalleled advantages in terms of protection and security from all forms of potential creditors and other litigation, as well as a high degree of confidentiality. A Belize Trust is an offshore asset protection trust established under the laws of Belize and administered by a trustee within the country. An asset protection trust aims to separate the ownership of a certain assets with the rights to control, use, and enjoy such assets. The trust itself is a contract between the person who establishes the trust, known as the settlor, the manager or trustee, and the beneficiaries who are expected to receive the trust assets. The trust laws in Belize provide a high degree of protection, privacy, and flexibility. In addition to its favorable trust legislation, Belize has a streamlined trust formation process, and has low fees and taxes imposed on foreign trusts. Assets that are usually held in trust are:- Real and intellectual property
- Bank deposits
- Investment portfolios
- Shares and stocks in both quoted and unquoted companies
- Life assurance policies issued on the life of the settlor
- Most other types of assets
Advantages Of Belize Trusts
- Asset protection provisions are very strong.
- Settlors may create protective trust in their own favor.
- Flexible appointment and removal provisions of a trustee, possibility to appoint sole trustee.
- Simplified legal provisions regarding the Trust Deed.
- Trusts are tailored to individual, specific requirements.
- Recognized in all common law jurisdictions.
- Recognition of other types of trusts such as Islamic Waqf and the Chinese Family Settlement.
- Recognition in many civil law jurisdictions.
- An important tool in international income, capital gains, and estate tax planning.
Requirements In Establishing a Belize Trust
To qualify under the Belize Trusts Act, the settlor, beneficiaries, and trust assets must all be located beyond the borders of Belize, and the purpose of the trust is to be implemented outside of the country as well. For U.S. clients, this is generally not a concern since very few have any assets located in Belize proper or plan to move their funds there. It is much more common to establish a bank account in Switzerland or other established banking centers. The Belize Trust is established under Belize’s laws and a local fiduciary must serve as trustee. In order to comply with the legal requirements, the trustee in Belize must retain the following:Name of the trust. | Name of settlor/trustor. |
Date of trust settlement. | Initial funds settled. |
Date of trust registration. | Additional funds settled. |
Name of the trustee. | Names and addresses of all beneficiaries. |
Any changes of the beneficiaries. | Name of the trust protector (if any). |
Any changes of trust protector. | Original trust document and any amendments. |
How To Setup a Belize Offshore Trust
Taxes On Belize Trust
What A Belize Trust Can’t Do
Offshore asset protection trusts in Belize and elsewhere can only protect against future liability and do not work to further any illegitimate transactions. It is an unfortunate misconception that high-net-worth-individuals can avoid paying income taxes in their home countries by stashing money offshore. A Belize Offshore Trust, or for that matter any other legitimate asset protection solution, is not intended to conceal assets or income from tax authorities, evade tax liabilities, or discharge you from existing claims or creditors. A Belize Trust is also not ideal for protecting real estate located in the U.S. By its nature, real estate cannot be physically removed from its location, so there is a risk a court could obtain jurisdiction over U.S. real estate even if the title is ostensibly held by an offshore trustee. While offshore asset protection trusts can be used to protect U.S. real estate, this can be done best in combination with a process known as equity stripping.The Cost of a Belize Trust cost
Is a Belize Trust the right choice for you?
- If you are looking to preserve your wealth from legal threats in a timely manner.
- If you want to transfer your wealth to your heirs in a tax-efficient manner.
- If you want to plan your estate by maximizing benefits of your wealth for family members and others.
- If you want to consolidate the ownership of the assets you owe throughout the world in one location.
Hiring An Estate Planning Attorney
Unfortunately, the American legal system leaves many individuals feeling badly exposed to the risk of a potential lawsuit or claim. Thanks in part to the use of offshore asset protection trusts, people have options to protect themselves before a legal problem arises. People in the U.S. can now take advantage of more favorable governments and legal systems abroad. If you would like to learn more about Belize Trusts, offshore asset protection trusts, or other asset protection solutions, contact Blake Harris Law and schedule a free consultation today. Our attorneys can evaluate your situation and design an asset protection plan that fits your needs.You need asset protection to safeguard your wealth from legal issues like lawsuits, bankruptcy, or divorce. Asset protection helps you secure your earnings and prepare for unexpected legal challenges. There are over 10 million lawsuits filed each year in the United States.
Based on this frequency, asset protection becomes increasingly crucial to protect your wealth. Click here to read more about the prevalence of lawsuits in America.
To effectively protect your assets, create an offshore asset protection trust. Offshore trusts offer superior asset protection compared to domestic options. Consult with an experienced asset protection law firm, such as Blake Harris Law, to create a comprehensive plan tailored to your specific needs.
Offshore asset protection provides better protection than domestic options. Offshore trusts, like those in the Cook Islands, offer well-established laws and a strong legal system that provide reliable safeguards against lawsuits and creditors. Opting for offshore solutions ensures maximum security for your assets.
Click here to read more about the benefits of offshore asset protection specifically in the Cook Islands.
The Cook Islands offer superior asset protection compared to other jurisdictions. With well-established laws and a strong legal system, Cook Islands trusts provide reliable safeguards against lawsuits and creditors. Opting for the Cook Islands ensures maximum security for your assets. Click here to read more about comparing asset protection jurisdictions.
Yes, you can trust your trustee, especially when connected through Blake Harris Law. We will put you in touch with a trustworthy trustee who follows rules in their own countries and works to safeguard your assets. Choose someone with a good reputation and track record to ensure the safety of your assets. Click here to read more about trustee trustworthiness.
Yes, Blake Harris Law is very experienced in asset protection and has a vast network of professionals to help safeguard your assets. We will help you create a plan that fits your needs and guide you through the process. Click here to learn more about our Attorney Blake Harris and click here to read testimonials from satisfied clients
Offshore asset protection is a legal strategy for shielding your assets from business disputes, lawsuits, divorce, bankruptcy, judgment creditor collections, malpractice claims, and other forms of unwanted legal battles.
By placing your assets in a non-domestic asset protection trust managed by a foreign trustee, you can protect your wealth from legal action in the U.S., even if a U.S. court rules in favor of the plaintiff.
Here are just some reasons to invest in an offshore asset protection plan:
- Avoid legal risks: Offshore asset protection is an effective tool to protect your assets from domestic lawsuits and malpractice claims. This is especially important if you are a physician, lawyer, business owner, or another professional who may be at higher-than-average risk of legal threats.
- Save on legal fees: The cost of defending a lawsuit in the U.S. can easily reach hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of dollars. By putting your assets in an offshore trust, you can dissuade potential plaintiffs from taking up legal action in the first place, saving a fortune in legal fees.
- Attorney Blake Harris is passionate about helping you protect your assets from lawsuits. Before founding Blake Harris Law, Blake worked for one of the largest wealth management firms in the United States, where he helped high/ultra-high net-worth clients protect their personal assets. Since then, Blake has gained extensive experience in all areas of asset protection and has assisted clients worldwide with asset protection planning.
- Over the years, Blake has built and continues to nurture a vast network of legal and finance professionals in countries such as Belize, the Cayman Islands, the Cook Islands, Lichtenstein, New Zealand, Panama, St. Kitts and Nevis, and Switzerland. Blake’s knowledge, experience, and connections enable him to handle even the most complex and sensitive asset protection issues that other attorneys find challenging or are unwilling to to represent. Whether you are looking to set up an offshore trust, establish a foreign limited liability company, or protect your digital assets, Blake will work hard to protect your wealth.
- An offshore asset protection trust is an effective tool for protecting assets from future lawsuits and potential creditors. A trust is established under the laws of a foreign country and managed by a professional trustee not subject to the jurisdiction of the settlor’s home country.
- An offshore asset protection trust can provide peace of mind to people whose wealth makes them vulnerable to legal threats, such as physicians, business owners, and entrepreneurs.
- In the United States, the cost of defending a lawsuit can quickly amount to hundreds of thousands or millions of dollars. In the event of a lawsuit, assets placed in an offshore asset protection trust will be extremely difficult to reach, even if the plaintiff gets a favorable judgment in a U.S. court. The most reputable offshore jurisdictions are the Cooks Islands, Nevis, and Belize, which have favorable laws and court systems for asset protection trusts.
- Ultimately, the enemy of all wealth-builders is risk. Risk of legal threats multiply as the amount of wealth increases. Wealth can attract unwanted attention, and people can see success as a target. Offshore asset protection trust are a practical and effective strategy to protect assets.
- Many high net-worth people have lost their fortunes to:
- Creditors
- Malpractice Claims
- Lawsuits
- Business disputes
- A lawsuit can threaten someone’s entire net worth, but offshore trusts are a highly effective means to protect wealth and enjoy peace of mind during your lifetime.
- If a lawsuit is filed against a settlor, to reach assets protected by an offshore trust the plaintiff would have to continue the lawsuit it in the jurisdiction where the trust is managed. Litigating a case in the Cook Islands or St. Kitts and Nevis is very different from filing suit in a U.S. court. The plaintiff would need to hire foreign counsel, pay a bond with the court, as well as face a legal system generally not sympathetic to plaintiffs.
- To escape the reach of the U.S. court system, an individual can set up a trust and limited liability company established under the laws of a foreign jurisdiction. The trustee, trust protector, as well as the bank holding the deposits should be domiciled outside the United States. Generally, an offshore asset protection plan combines an offshore trust, offshore limited liability entities, as well as bank accounts, all housed in different jurisdictions.
- In the event of a lawsuit, the person or institution serving as trustee can be changed.
- One of the most important things to consider when setting up an offshore trust is using the most favorable jurisdiction. A good jurisdiction means being able to take advantage of a favorable legal system with strong asset protection laws, while ideally paying no local income taxes.
- Some of the most sought-after offshore jurisdictions are:
- The Cook Islands
- Nevis
- Belize
- At Blake Harris Law, we will bring together a team of offshore Trustees, Trust Protectors, Bankers, and Financial Managers from around the world to provide the highest levels of offshore asset protection for our clients.
- Clients who are looking for the highest levels of offshore protection should consider the Cook Islands as a principal jurisdiction thanks to its unparalleled asset protection trust statutes.
- The Cook Islands International Trusts Act of 1989 firmly established this island nation as a pioneer in the offshore asset protection arena. Since then, asset protection trusts housed in the Cook Islands have become more common as decades of favorable case law have helped prove the high degree of protection offered by these trusts. Although in most jurisdictions, a trust is considered a private document, it is believed that the Cook Islands now has more registered asset protection trusts than any other country.
- An offshore asset protection trust can hold a variety of different assets:
- Cash
- Securities
- Cryptocurrency and other digital assets
- Limited liability companies
- Real estate
- Intellectual property
- Business inventory and equipment
- Recreational assets such as private jets, cars, and yachts
- A key element of an offshore asset protection trust is ensuring the trust management has no ties or business presence in the U.S. Fortunately, many foreign fiduciary companies operate with the same degree of integrity and professionalism as their U.S. counterparts. While not regulated by U.S. government bodies, offshore trustee companies are registered and regulated by the governments under which they operate. Many offshore fiduciaries have operated for decades and have served as trustees for thousands of clients around the world.
- Blake Harris Law has connections with multiple established offshore trustee companies beyond the reach of the U.S. court system.
- A common misconception is that high-net-worth individuals can avoid paying their income taxes by stashing their money offshore. Offshore trusts are not a means to avoid paying taxes or hiding assets from the tax authorities.