From legal protection to financial security, there are many reasons you might need an offshore asset protection trust. In a carefully chosen foreign jurisdiction, an offshore trust can provide highly secure asset protection and investment freedom for diversifying your investment methods.
For these reasons, offshore asset protection trusts are a popular investment solution. Investors can begin by selecting an offshore trust jurisdiction in a foreign country. The next step involves choosing an individual or a foreign trust company that may serve as the offshore trustee. Similar to a domestic asset protection trust, the trust deed will detail how the foreign trustee should use the trust’s assets.
It’s best to start this process with an asset protection attorney who can help you sort out the legal details. Likewise, before you transfer assets to any foreign jurisdictions, you must familiarize yourself with the process so that you can accurately instruct your attorney and inform them of your needs.
This article will discuss offshore trust companies, how they function, and how to choose one for your offshore trust.
Factors to Consider When Looking for an Offshore Trust Company
Offshore trusts offer a convenient means of transferring and protecting assets. However, the Internal Revenue Service has increased surveillance of offshore trusts in recent years, and standard tax laws still apply. It’s best to consult an attorney who can help you legally and carefully establish your trust and any offshore bank accounts to avoid legal liability.
Part of this process is selecting the right trustee. When choosing a trustee for your offshore trust, consider the following factors.
Jurisdiction
Selecting the proper jurisdiction for your trust is critical. Most common offshore trust jurisdictions feature tax “neutral” infrastructure, which helps reduce the overall income taxation in your offshore trust agreement. Other features that make a jurisdiction suitable for offshore trusts include a legal system based on English common law and economic stability.
Trustee Fees
Expensive trustee fees could cause your offshore asset protection value to reduce with time, making reasonable fees a requirement for a quality trust company.
Reputation
In the internet age, it’s easy to find customer reviews on any given company. Reviews alone may not sway your decision, but reading about former customers’ experiences could help you outline questions to ask prospective trustees and compare companies. More importantly, consult with an asset protection attorney for a recommendation for an offshore trust company.
Experience
Many legal entities offer their customers asset protection services, but the quality of a potential trustee will depend on their experience with various types of trusts. For example, someone who wants to establish a small family trust will have different legal needs than someone looking for investment opportunities. It would be best if you found a trustee who can meet the expectations for trust management according to your goals.
How to Set up an Account With an Offshore Asset Protection Trusts Company
Setting up an offshore trust is a relatively simple process when you have the proper guidance that includes the following steps:
- Choose an Asset Protection Attorney: Having a professional to help you establish your offshore trust structure is essential. An asset protection attorney from Blake Harris Law can provide you with the services you need.
- Submit Necessary Documents: Offshore trusts companies will want to perform a background check on their potential clients. The offshore trust companies will require you to submit forms to verify your identity and ensure they are not assisting someone who may be involved in nefarious activities.
- Open an Account With an Offshore Bank: Once you receive verification of your documents, you can open an account at your chosen offshore bank and fund your trust.
Can You Create an Offshore Trust Company on Your Own?
Though it may be easier to select an existing trust company to be your trustee, creating a company on your own is possible. To do so, you would need to establish a limited liability company in your chosen jurisdiction before creating your offshore trust. You could then transfer your assets to your newly formed LLC.
When you open your offshore trust, you would proceed by naming the LLC the trustee. As a result, the LLC would belong to the trust.
Finding an experienced advisor to help you navigate this complicated process is essential to protecting your assets. Whether you hope to diversify your investment portfolio, set aside assets for your family’s future, or create a safety net to protect against economic instability here at home, an attorney can ensure that you make informed decisions about the future of your fortune.
If you’d like to set up an offshore trust, contact Blake Harris Law today by filling out our contact form or by email at Info@BlakeHarrisLaw.com to discuss your options.
