Offshore trust cost: get an indicative quote for your trust

Set-up work

• Trustee onboarding. Identity and source-of-wealth checks on the settlor, the protector and anyone who controls the trust, plus the risk review the trustee must complete before accepting.
• Structure design. Agreeing with you, the law firm and your tax adviser what the trust holds, who benefits and who has which powers.
• Acceptance of office. The trustee's resolution to act, opening the trust's records and setting up reporting.
• Asset transfer. Coordinating the bank account opening and the move of each asset into the trustee's name.

Every year

• Holding the assets and keeping them separate from the trustee's own.
• Trustee meetings and minutes for decisions and distributions.
• Trust accounts and an asset report that we send you.
• Periodic identity checks, scheduled by risk.
• Tax information reporting and record-keeping.

When something happens

• Typical event charges cover a distribution that needs extra review, an amendment to the deed, adding or removing a beneficiary, a change of protector, a move of the trust to another trustee, or winding the trust up.

Charged by others

• Drafting the deed and helping with your letter of wishes (Law firm; At set-up, and when the deed changes)
• Advice on your own tax position (Your tax adviser; Before signing, and when circumstances change)
• Forming and maintaining a holding company or PTC (Corporate services provider; At set-up, then every year)
• Stamp duty under the Stamp Duty Ordinance (Cap. 117) (Hong Kong government; Can arise when Hong Kong shares or property move into the trust) to confirm
• Bank account, custody and transaction charges (Bank or custodian; Ongoing)
• Audit, if you want one (Auditor; Yearly, by choice)

Who acts locally

• We act as trustee directly.

Quoted after we review your case

• Work outside the agreed scope is billed on time spent, and we say so before we start it.
• We confirm the estimate once we have seen the documents, because a detail in an asset or a family arrangement can change the work.

How long it takes

• Time to set up: depends on your documents.

Set-up work

• Onboarding. Identity and source-of-funds checks on the settlor, the protector and anyone who controls the trust, plus the risk review before the partner trustee accepts.
• Structure design. Agreeing with you, the partner trustee, the law firm and your tax adviser what the trust holds, who benefits and who has which powers.
• Acceptance of office. The trust company's resolution to act, opening the trust's records and setting up reporting.
• Asset transfer. Coordinating the bank account opening and the move of each asset into the trustee's name.

Every year

• Holding the assets and keeping them separate from the trustee's own.
• Trustee meetings and minutes for decisions and distributions.
• Trust accounts and an asset report that we send you.
• Periodic identity checks, scheduled by risk.
• Tax information reporting and record-keeping.

Charged by others

• Drafting the deed and helping with your letter of wishes (Law firm; At set-up, and when the deed changes)
• Advice on your own tax position (Your tax adviser; Before signing, and when circumstances change)
• Forming and maintaining a holding company or PTC (Corporate services provider; At set-up, then every year)
• Duties or registry charges on the transfer of certain assets (Government or registry; Can arise when shares or property move into the trust)
• Bank account, custody and transaction charges (Bank or custodian; Ongoing)
• Audit, if you want one (Auditor; Yearly, by choice)

Who acts locally

• We work with a local partner.

How long it takes

• Time to set up: depends on your documents.

Set-up work

• Client acceptance and design. Our identity and source-of-funds review, and the work with your lawyer on the shape of the structure.
• Legal drafting. A Cook Islands law firm drafts the deed and letter of wishes.
• Trustee acceptance. The trustee reviews the file, runs its own checks and accepts office.
• Registration. The trustee registers the trust with the Registrar, and the government charges a fee set by regulation.
• Holding company. If a limited liability company or other company sits under the trust, its formation is a separate item.

Every year

• The trustee charges for holding office, keeping accounts and records, holding meetings and passing resolutions.
• Our administration covers reporting, the annual review of identity papers and the preparation of requests you send.

When something happens

• Event charges apply when something changes, such as a distribution, a new beneficiary, a change of protector, an amendment to the deed or the end of the trust.

Charged by others

• Fees of the registered agent or corporate services firm for any holding company.
• Bank or brokerage account charges in the trustee's name.
• Accounting or audit fees for companies under the trust, where required.
• Translation and certification of documents, if your papers are not in English.

Who acts locally

• A local partner acts as trustee.

How long it takes

• Time to set up: depends on your documents.

Set-up work

• Structure design and onboarding checks. Agreeing with counsel how the trust fits your aims, and verifying the settlor and the people connected with the trust.
• Resident trustee. A New Zealand foreign trust must have one or more resident trustees.
• Registration. The trust is registered in myIR with the trust deed, settlements and connected persons.
• Trustee acceptance and account opening. The trustee reads the file against the deed, accepts office and opens the accounts.

Every year

• Preparing the statements and the return is a regular cost.

When something happens

• Some tasks are charged when they happen rather than yearly: a distribution to a beneficiary, a change of beneficiary or protector, an amendment to the deed and a change of trustee.

Charged by others

• Drafting the deed and advising on later changes (New Zealand law firm; At set-up, and at each amendment)
• The resident trustee role (Local partner; At set-up, then each year)
• Preparing financial statements and the return (Accountant; Each tax year)
• Account opening and holding the assets (Bank or custodian; At set-up, then ongoing)
• Tax advice where you live (Your own adviser; Before signing, and if your position changes)

Who acts locally

• We work with a local partner.

How long it takes

• Time to set up: depends on your documents.

Set-up work

• Onboarding. Identity and source-of-funds checks on the settlor, the protector and anyone who controls the trust, plus the risk review before the Labuan trust company accepts.
• Structure design. Agreeing with you, the trust company, the law firm and your tax adviser what the trust holds, who benefits and who has which powers.
• Acceptance of office. The trustees' resolution to act, opening the trust's records and setting up reporting.
• Asset transfer. Coordinating the bank account opening and the move of each asset into the trustees' names.

Every year

• Holding the assets and keeping them separate from the trustees' own.
• Trustee meetings and minutes for decisions and distributions.
• Trust accounts and an asset report that we send you.
• Periodic identity checks, scheduled by risk.
• Tax information reporting and record-keeping.

Charged by others

• Drafting the deed and helping with your letter of wishes (Law firm; At set-up, and when the deed changes)
• Advice on your own tax position (Your tax adviser; Before signing, and when circumstances change)
• Forming and maintaining a holding company (Corporate services provider; At set-up, then every year)
• Registry charges on the transfer of certain assets (Government or registry; Can arise when shares or property move into the trust)
• Bank account, custody and transaction charges (Bank or custodian; Ongoing)
• Audit, if you want one (Auditor; Yearly, by choice)

Who acts locally

• We work with a local partner.

Quoted after we review your case

• Work that falls outside the agreed scope is billed by time spent, and we tell you before we begin it.

How long it takes

• Time to set up: depends on your documents.

Set-up work

• Client acceptance and design. Our identity and source-of-funds review, and the work with your lawyer on the shape of the structure.
• Legal drafting. A law firm drafts the deed and letter of wishes.
• Trustee acceptance. The trustee reviews the file, runs its own checks and accepts office.
• Local filing. If your lawyer confirms that a filing follows signing, any government charge for it is a separate line.
• Holding company. If a company sits under the trust, its formation is a separate item.

Every year

• A Samoan trustee company charges for holding office, keeping accounts and records, holding meetings and passing resolutions.
• Our own administration covers reporting, the yearly review of identity papers and the preparation of the requests you send.

Charged by others

• Government charges for any filing, once your lawyer confirms what applies.
• Fees of the corporate services firm for any holding company.
• Bank or brokerage account charges in the trustee's name.
• Accounting or audit fees for companies under the trust, where required.
• Translation and certification of documents, if your papers are not in English.

Who acts locally

• A local partner acts as trustee.

Quoted after we review your case

• Any estimate is confirmed once the written terms are agreed.

How long it takes

• Time to set up: depends on your documents.

Set-up work

• Client acceptance and design. Our identity and source-of-funds review, and the work with your lawyer on the shape of the structure.
• Legal drafting. A law firm drafts the deed and letter of wishes.
• Trustee acceptance. The trustee reviews the file, runs its own checks and accepts office.
• Local advice. Because your lawyer confirms the legal position for your case, expect a line for a written view from a lawyer in Vanuatu.
• Holding company. If a company sits under the trust, its formation is a separate item.

Every year

• The trustee charges for holding office, keeping accounts and records, holding meetings and passing resolutions.
• Our administration covers reporting, the annual review of identity papers and the preparation of the requests you send.

When something happens

• Event charges apply when something changes, such as a distribution, a new beneficiary, an amendment to the deed or the end of the trust.

Charged by others

• Government fees for a trust in Vanuatu.
• Fees of the firm that forms and keeps any holding company.
• Bank or brokerage account charges in the trustee's name.
• Accounting or audit fees for companies under the trust, where required.
• Translation and certification of documents, if your papers are not in English.

Who acts locally

• A local partner acts as trustee.

Quoted after we review your case

• Any estimate is confirmed once the written terms are agreed.

How long it takes

• Time to set up: depends on your documents.

Set-up work

• The law firm in the islands that drafts and reviews the deed.
• The trustee's acceptance work, including its own checks on you.
• Identity and source-of-funds checks.
• Registration charges for entering the trust on the register, which the authorities set and not us.
• Our coordination fee, if we are asked to coordinate.

Every year

• Accounts and records of the assets it holds.
• Resolutions that record each distribution.
• Meetings and a yearly review with you.
• Whatever the Registrar requires for a registered trust.

Charged by others

• Your own lawyer and tax adviser in your home country.
• A bank or custodian that holds the assets.
• Certified translations and notary charges.
• Courier costs for papers that cross a long distance.

Who acts locally

• A local partner acts as trustee.

How long it takes

• Time to set up: depends on your documents.

Set-up work

• The BVI law firm that drafts the deed and, for a company-share trust, the clause that switches VISTA on.
• The trustee's acceptance work and its own checks on you.
• Identity and source-of-funds checks.
• The registered agent and government charges for any BVI company below the trust.
• Our coordination fee, which we state in the quote.

Every year

• Accounts and records of the shares and other assets it holds.
• Resolutions that record each distribution decision.
• Meetings and a yearly review with you.
• Support for the yearly filings of BVI companies the trust owns, where they apply.

Charged by others

• Your own lawyer and tax adviser in your home country.
• The BVI registered agent for each company below the trust.
• A bank or custodian that holds the assets.
• Certified translations, notary charges and courier costs for signing at a distance.

Who acts locally

• We work with a local partner.

How long it takes

• Time to set up: depends on your documents.

Set-up work

• The Cayman law firm that drafts the deed, including any STAR clauses and the enforcer's powers.
• The trustee's acceptance work and its own checks on you.
• Identity and source-of-funds checks.
• The registered office and government charges for any Cayman company below the trust.
• Our coordination fee, which we state in the quote.

Every year

• Accounts and records of the assets it holds.
• Resolutions that record each distribution.
• A yearly review with you, with extra meetings when something changes.
• Contact with the enforcer of a STAR trust, and with the protector where the deed creates one.

Charged by others

• Your own lawyer and tax adviser in your home country.
• The provider of the registered office for each Cayman company below the trust.
• A person who agrees to act as enforcer, who may set terms of their own.
• A bank or custodian that holds the assets.
• Certified translations, notary charges and courier costs for signing at a distance.

Who acts locally

• We work with a local partner.

How long it takes

• Time to set up: depends on your documents.

Set-up work

• Law firm. Drafts the deed under the Nevis ordinance, with the protector powers and term you chose.
• Trustee. A Nevis corporation or trust company that vets you before it accepts office.
• Registered agent. Makes the register entry for the trust and bills for it.
• Our coordination. Residence and identity papers, plus one checklist of open items.

Every year

• The trustee meets, resolves, keeps the books and prepares filings, and bills for all of it.

Charged by others

• Government registration and renewal charges, set by the authorities in Nevis, not by us.
• Fees of the registered agent or corporate services firm for any holding company.
• Bank or brokerage account charges in the trustee's name.
• Accounting or audit fees for companies under the trust, where required.
• Translation and certification of documents, if your papers are not in English.

Who acts locally

• A local partner acts as trustee.

How long it takes

• Time to set up: depends on your documents.

Set-up work

• Client acceptance, with identity and source-of-funds checks on every party.
• Planning the fideicomiso with your lawyer, before any drafting starts.
• Drafting of the deed and your letter of wishes by counsel in Panama.
• The trustee's written acceptance of the role under the deed.
• A holding company under the trust, where you want one.

Every year

• The trustee's charge for acting, and for each decision it records.
• Accounts for the trust, and for any company it owns.
• Reporting that the trustee or a bank must make, which is a point your tax adviser confirms.
• Reviews with you after a marriage, a birth, a move or a sale.

Charged by others

• Your own lawyer and tax adviser. Their work at home is separate from the work in Panama.
• Government charges. The authorities set them, not us, and the written terms list those that apply.
• Bank charges. Accounts opened for the trust, or for a company beneath it.
• Valuations and certified copies. Needed for private shares, property or documents from abroad.
• Translations. Needed for papers that cross between Spanish and your own language.

Who acts locally

• A local partner acts as trustee.

How long it takes

• Time to set up: depends on your documents.

Set-up work

• The Bermuda law firm that drafts the deed, including any reserved powers for the settlor.
• The trustee's acceptance work and its own checks on you.
• Identity and source-of-funds checks.
• The corporate services provider for any Bermuda company below the trust.
• Our coordination fee, which we state in the quote.

Every year

• Accounts and records of the assets it holds.
• Resolutions that record each distribution.
• Meetings and a yearly review with you.
• Support for the filings of Bermuda companies the trust owns, where they apply.

Charged by others

• Your own lawyer and tax adviser where you live.
• The corporate services provider that keeps the registers of each Bermuda company, a private trust company included.
• A bank or custodian that holds the assets.
• Certified translations, notary charges and couriers when papers are signed at a distance.

Who acts locally

• We work with a local partner.

How long it takes

• Time to set up: depends on your documents.

Set-up work

• Before drafting: identity checks, source-of-funds review and structure design with your lawyer.
• Drafting: the instrument, your letter of wishes and any holding company papers.
• Signing day: the trustee's acceptance of office and the first transfers into the trust.

Every year

• The trustee's fee for acting and for recording its decisions.
• Accounts for the trust and any company it owns.
• Reports that the trustee or a bank must file; your adviser confirms them.
• Scheduled reviews with you.

Charged by others

• Your lawyer and tax adviser. Home-country advice is billed apart from advice on the South Dakota side.
• Government charges. Set by the authorities; the written terms list the ones that apply.
• Bank charges. Falling due when accounts open and then each year.
• Valuations and certified copies. Needed on signing day for private shares, property or papers from abroad.
• Translations. Needed whenever papers are not in English.

Who acts locally

• We work with a local partner.

How long it takes

• Time to set up: depends on your documents.

Set-up work

• Onboarding: identity checks and a review of where the money came from.
• Structure design, worked out with your own lawyer.
• Drafting of the trust instrument and your letter of wishes by a lawyer.
• The trustee's acceptance of office.
• A holding company beneath the trust, if the plan includes one.

Every year

• The trustee's fee for acting, plus a charge for each decision it minutes.
• Accounts for the trust and for any company it owns.
• Reporting that the trustee or a bank must file, which your adviser confirms for your case.
• A review with you whenever the family or the assets change.

Charged by others

• Your own lawyer and tax adviser. Work done in your home country is billed apart from work done in Nevada.
• State charges. The authorities set these, and the written terms list the ones that apply.
• Bank charges. Opening and running accounts for the trust or for a company beneath it.
• Valuations and certified copies. Needed for private shares, property or papers issued abroad.
• Translations. Needed whenever a document is not in English.

Who acts locally

• We work with a local partner.

How long it takes

• Time to set up: depends on your documents.

Set-up work

• Trustee onboarding. Checks on the settlor and on each adviser or protector who can direct the trustee, because in a directed deed their instructions carry weight.
• Role design. Dividing powers between the qualified trustee, an investment adviser and a protector, so the deed states who may direct what.
• Choice of structure. Deciding between a directed trust, a dynasty trust, a qualified disposition trust, or a mix of them.
• Acceptance of office. The Delaware trustee accepts office under the deed, alongside the adviser and protector terms, and opens the trust file.
• Asset transfer. Moving each asset to the trustee, with a custodian account where an adviser manages a portfolio.

Every year

• Custody of the assets, kept apart from the trustee's own.
• Trustee meetings and minutes, including where an adviser's direction is recorded.
• Yearly accounts and an asset report that also covers holdings under an adviser's management.
• Fresh checks on the settlor, adviser and protector when risk calls for them.
• Records for tax information reporting, kept for each party to the deed.

When something happens

• Event work is charged when it happens: a distribution that needs extra review, a change of adviser or protector, a deed amendment, or a move to another trustee.

Charged by others

• Deed drafting, adviser and protector terms, letter of wishes (Delaware law firm; At set-up, and at each amendment)
• Portfolio management under an adviser's direction (Investment adviser; Ongoing)
• Forming a family trust company, if you want one (Delaware counsel and a corporate services provider; At set-up, then every year)
• Home-country tax advice on a Delaware trust (Your own tax adviser; Before signing, and if your position changes)
• Custody of listed assets an adviser manages (Custodian; Ongoing)
• Audit (Auditor; Yearly, by choice)

Who acts locally

• We work with a local partner.

How long it takes

• Time to set up: depends on your documents.

Set-up work

• Trustee onboarding. Checks on the settlor and on each protector or advisor who holds a power over the trustee.
• Instrument drafting. The Wyoming law firm writes a deed that names the qualified trustee, chooses Wyoming law and fits the spendthrift provisions.
• Affidavit for each transfer. The settlor signs a sworn statement, and the file records which asset it covers.
• Acceptance of office. The Wyoming trustee accepts office under the instrument and opens the trust file.
• Asset transfer. Opening the account and re-registering each asset to the trustee, one transfer at a time.

Every year

• Safe custody of trust assets, separate from the trustee's property.
• Minutes of trustee decisions and of any advisor's directions.
• Yearly accounts and an asset report sent to you.
• Identity checks renewed on a risk timetable.
• Tax information returns and the record file.

When something happens

• Event work is charged when it happens: an extra transfer with its affidavit, a change of protector or a move of the trust.

Charged by others

• Drafting the deed and the sworn affidavit forms (Wyoming law firm; At set-up, and for later transfers)
• Setting up a private family trust company, if used (Wyoming counsel; At set-up, then every year)
• Notary or witness for the affidavit, if your lawyer requires one (Notary public; When the settlor signs)
• Advice on your tax position at home (Your tax adviser; Before signing, and if your position changes)
• Custody and account charges (Bank; Ongoing)

Who acts locally

• We work with a local partner.

Quoted after we review your case

• We confirm the estimate after reading the documents, because the way assets will be moved in can change the work.

How long it takes

• Time to set up: depends on your documents.

Set-up work

• Identity and wealth checks. On the settlor, who may also be a beneficiary, and on any protector or advisor the deed names.
• Power mapping. Agreeing with the Alaska lawyer which powers the settlor keeps, such as appointing and removing trustees, and which go to others.
• Affidavit. The settlor signs a sworn affidavit before assets move, and the file records it.
• Acceptance of office. The trustee resolves to act, and the trust's file is opened.
• Asset transfer. Once the affidavit is signed, the account opens and each asset is retitled to the trustee.

Every year

• Title to the assets, held apart from the trustee's own property.
• Minutes of each decision, including a distribution to the settlor as beneficiary.
• An annual account and asset report.
• Periodic identity refreshes set by risk.
• Tax information forms and the keeping of records.

When something happens

• Some work is charged when it happens. A change of trustee, protector or advisor is the likeliest, since the settlor's right to make such changes is a feature of Alaska trusts.

Charged by others

• Deed, settlor's affidavit and letter of wishes (Alaska trust lawyer; At set-up, and on amendment)
• Tax advice in your country of residence (Your tax adviser; Before signing)
• Investment advice, if an advisor is named (Investment advisor; Ongoing)
• Holding company, if one is placed in the trust (Corporate services provider; At set-up, then yearly)
• Safekeeping and account charges (Bank or custodian; Ongoing)

Who acts locally

• A local partner acts as trustee.

How long it takes

• Time to set up: depends on your documents.

Set-up work

• Identity and wealth checks. On the settlor and on each office holder with a power over the trustee.
• Choice of form. Deciding with the New Hampshire lawyer whether the assets sit in an irrevocable spendthrift trust, or in a foundation formed by filing a certificate.
• Office design. Writing down what a trust advisor and a protector may do, and what stays with the trustee.
• Acceptance of office. A trustee resolution to take the role, and a new trust file.
• Asset transfer. An account is opened for the trust and each asset is re-registered to the trustee.

Every year

• Title to the assets, held by the trustee for the trust.
• Minutes that show whether a decision came from the trustee or from a trust advisor.
• Yearly accounts with an asset statement.
• Fresh identity checks when the risk review calls for them.

When something happens

• Some work is charged when it happens: a change of office holder, a deed amendment, or a move of the trust to another trustee.
• A distribution needing extra review is billed when it arises, and out-of-scope work is billed on time spent.

Charged by others

• Deed with spendthrift clause, and letter of wishes (New Hampshire trust lawyer; At set-up, and on amendment)
• Filing and upkeep of a foundation, if one is used (Lawyer or corporate provider; At set-up, then yearly)
• Your tax adviser's review at home (Your tax adviser; Before signing)
• Investment management (Investment manager; Ongoing)
• Custodian and account charges (Bank or custodian; Ongoing)

Who acts locally

• A local partner acts as trustee.

How long it takes

• Time to set up: depends on your documents.

Set-up work

• Identity and wealth checks. On the settlor and any protector, run by us and repeated by the Tennessee trustee and the bank.
• Choice of trust type. Deciding with the Tennessee lawyer whether the deed is a plain living trust or an investment services trust.
• Acceptance of office. The trustee accepts office under the Tennessee deed and starts the trust file.
• Asset transfer. The trustee opens the account and receives each asset, with title papers for any property or shares.

Every year

• Title to the assets, held by the trustee for the trust.
• Trustee decisions and minutes, kept in the trust file.
• Accounts and an asset report.
• Fresh identity checks when the risk review calls for them.
• Records the bank needs for tax information reporting.

When something happens

• Event work is charged when it arises: a deed amendment, a protector change, or replacing the qualified trustee.

Charged by others

• Deed and letter of wishes for a Tennessee trust (Tennessee trust lawyer; At set-up, and on amendment)
• Private trust company, if the family forms one (Tennessee counsel; At set-up, then yearly)
• Tax advice where you live (Your tax adviser; Before signing)
• Managing the portfolio the trust holds (Investment manager; Ongoing)
• Account and custody charges (Bank; Ongoing)

Who acts locally

• A local partner acts as trustee.

How long it takes

• Time to set up: depends on your documents.

Set-up work

• The Bahamian law firm that drafts the deed, or the foundation charter if a foundation is chosen instead.
• The trustee's acceptance work and its own checks on you.
• Identity and source-of-funds checks.
• The registered agent and government charges for any company the trust owns.
• Our coordination fee, which we state in the quote.

Every year

• Accounts and records of the assets it holds.
• Resolutions that record each distribution.
• Meetings and a yearly review with you.
• Support for the records that a company under the trust keeps with its registered agent.

Charged by others

• Your own lawyer and tax adviser in your home country.
• The registered agent for each company below the trust.
• A bank or custodian that holds the assets.
• Certified translations, notary charges and courier costs for signing at a distance.

Who acts locally

• We work with a local partner.

How long it takes

• Time to set up: depends on your documents.

Set-up work

• Client acceptance, identity checks and source-of-funds review.
• Design of the structure with your lawyer.
• Drafting of the deed and your letter of wishes by a law firm in Belize.
• Trustee acceptance of office, and the appointment of the trust agent.
• Entry in the register, for an international trust.
• Any holding company placed beneath the trust.

Every year

• The trustee's fee for acting and for each decision it records.
• The trust agent's fee for keeping the connection to Belize.
• Preparation of accounts for the trust and any company it owns.
• Reporting that the trustee or a bank must make, which your adviser confirms for your case.
• Reviews with you when your family or assets change.

Charged by others

• Your own lawyer and tax adviser. Their work at home is separate from the work in Belize.
• Government charges. The authorities set them, not us, and the written terms list those that apply.
• The trust agent. Its fee for the register entry is billed apart from the trustee's.
• Bank charges. Opening and running accounts for the trust or a company beneath it.
• Certified copies and translations. Needed for papers from abroad that are not in English.

Who acts locally

• We work with a local partner.

How long it takes

• Time to set up: depends on your documents.

Set-up work

• Trustee. An Anguilla trust company that runs its own identity and source-of-funds review.
• Registration. Registering the trust, if you choose to.
• Our coordination. Papers, a shared checklist and the questions to put to each adviser.

Every year

• The trustee holds meetings, passes resolutions, keeps accounts and handles filings, and it charges for that work.

Charged by others

• Government registration charges, only if you register, set by the authorities in Anguilla, not by us.
• Fees of the corporate services firm for any holding company.
• Bank or brokerage account charges in the trustee's name.
• Accounting or audit fees for companies under the trust, where required.
• Translation and certification of documents, if your papers are not in English.

Who acts locally

• A local partner acts as trustee.

How long it takes

• Time to set up: depends on your documents.

Set-up work

• Law firm. Drafts the deed and gives counsel's note on which Act governs it.
• Trustee. A Barbados trust company.
• Filing. Any filing your lawyer confirms is required.
• Our coordination. Identity papers, a list of the legal points your lawyer settles, and chasing each answer.

Every year

• Someone must keep the accounts, record decisions, hold meetings and prepare filings, and that someone charges.

Charged by others

• Government filing charges, if any apply, set by the authorities in Barbados, not by us.
• Fees of the corporate services firm for any holding company.
• Bank or brokerage account charges in the trustee's name.
• Accounting or audit fees for companies under the trust, where required.
• Translation and certification of documents, if your papers are not in English.

Who acts locally

• A local partner acts as trustee.

How long it takes

• Time to set up: depends on your documents.

Set-up work

• Client acceptance, identity checks and source-of-funds review.
• Design of the structure with your lawyer.
• Drafting of the deed and your letter of wishes by a law firm in the islands.
• Trustee acceptance of office.
• Any holding company placed beneath the trust.

Every year

• The trustee's fee for acting and for each decision it records.
• Preparation of accounts for the trust and any company it owns.
• Reporting that the trustee or a bank must make, which is a point your tax adviser confirms.
• Reviews with you when your family or assets change.

Charged by others

• Your own lawyer and tax adviser. Their work at home is separate from the work in the islands.
• Government charges. The authorities set them, not us, and the written terms list those that apply.
• Bank charges. Opening and running accounts for the trust or a company beneath it.
• Certified copies and valuations. Needed for private shares, property or papers that come from abroad.
• Translations. Needed when papers are not in English.

Who acts locally

• A local partner acts as trustee.

How long it takes

• Time to set up: depends on your documents.

Set-up work

• Law firm. Drafts the deed under the Trusts Act, in the trust type you chose.
• Resident trustee. A local trust company that meets the residence condition and vets you first.
• Registrar filing. Filing the trust attestation and obtaining the certificate.
• Our coordination. Identity papers, the signed deed pack and one checklist of open items.

Every year

• The trustee convenes meetings, signs resolutions, maintains accounts and prepares filings, and charges for the effort.

Charged by others

• Government filing and renewal charges, set by the authorities in St Kitts, not by us.
• Fees of the corporate services firm for any holding company.
• Bank or brokerage account charges in the trustee's name.
• Accounting or audit fees for companies under the trust, where required.
• Translation and certification of documents, if your papers are not in English.

Who acts locally

• A local partner acts as trustee.

How long it takes

• Time to set up: depends on your documents.

Set-up work

• Law firm. Drafting the deed and your letter of wishes, and advising on the structure.
• Trustee. Client acceptance, onboarding and its acceptance of office.
• Trust application. The application to the Financial Services Authority (FSA), which the trustee makes with the deed attached.
• Our coordination. Identity checks, document collection and the checklist we run.

Every year

• A trustee must hold meetings, record decisions, keep accounts and prepare filings, and it charges for the work.

Charged by others

• Fees for the trust application, which the trustee and the law firm set out in writing.
• Fees of the corporate services firm for any holding company.
• Bank or brokerage account charges in the trustee's name.
• Accounting or audit fees for companies under the trust, where required.
• Translation and certification of documents, if your papers are not in English.
• Registry or stamp duty, where the islands charge one; your lawyer confirms.
• Reporting work, where it applies, done by the trustee or your adviser.

Who acts locally

• A local partner acts as trustee.

How long it takes

• Time to set up: depends on your documents.

Set-up work

• Structure design and onboarding checks. Agreeing with counsel whether a discretionary trust, a purpose trust or a private trust company fits your aims, and verifying the settlor and the people connected with the trust.
• Drafting. A Jersey law firm drafts the deed, because Jersey law decides validity and effect of a Jersey trust.
• Trustee acceptance and account opening. The trustee reads the file against the deed, accepts office and opens the trust's accounts.
• Local roles. We work with a local partner where the work is done in Jersey.
• Companies and foundations. The Foundations (Jersey) Law 2009 provides for the incorporation of foundations.

Every year

• Annual trustee fee
• Accounting, minutes and records
• Reporting to authorities

When something happens

• Some tasks are charged when they happen rather than yearly. Examples are a distribution to a beneficiary, the addition or removal of a beneficiary, a change of protector and a change of trustee.

Charged by others

• Drafting the deed and advising on later changes (Jersey law firm; At set-up, and at each amendment)
• The role it holds in your structure (Local partner; At set-up, then each year)
• Account opening and holding the assets (Bank or custodian; At set-up, then ongoing)
• Forming a private trust company or a foundation (Corporate services provider and counsel; At set-up, then each year)
• Accounts or audit of a company in the structure (Accountant or auditor; Each year, where required)
• Tax advice where you live (Your own adviser; Before signing, and if your position changes)

Who acts locally

• We work with a local partner.

How long it takes

• Time to set up: depends on your documents.

Set-up work

• Structure design and onboarding checks. Choosing with counsel between a trust, a foundation and a company beside either, and verifying the settlor and each person who can direct the trustee.
• Drafting. A Guernsey law firm drafts the deed under the Trusts (Guernsey) Law, 2007, the main statute for Guernsey trusts. to confirm
• Reserved powers. Reserving powers, such as to revoke or vary, does not void the trust. to confirm
• Trustee acceptance and account opening. The trustee tests the file against the deed, accepts office and opens the accounts.
• Foundations and companies. The Foundations (Guernsey) Law 2012 is a Guernsey law on foundations. to confirm

Every year

• The trustee bills for holding office, keeping accounts and records, convening meetings and signing resolutions.
• On our side, administration covers your reports, the yearly identity refresh and the instructions you want passed to the trustee.

When something happens

• Event charges arise when the trust changes: a distribution, a new beneficiary or protector, a deed amendment or a move to another trustee.

Charged by others

• Deed drafting and later advice (Guernsey law firm; At set-up, and at each amendment)
• The role it takes in your structure (Local partner; At set-up, then each year)
• Bank and custodian charges (Bank or custodian; At set-up, then ongoing)
• Forming and running a company or foundation (Corporate services provider; At set-up, then each year)
• Accounts or audit of an entity under the trust (Accountant or auditor; Each year, where required)
• Tax and legal advice in other countries (Your own advisers; Before signing, and if your position changes)

Who acts locally

• We work with a local partner.

How long it takes

• Time to set up: depends on your documents.

Set-up work

• Structure design and onboarding checks. Agreeing with counsel which law fits your aims, and verifying the settlor and the people connected with the trust.
• Drafting. A law firm in the place whose law governs the deed drafts it.
• Trustee acceptance and account opening. The trustee reads the file against the deed, accepts office and opens the accounts.
• Local roles. We work with a local partner where the work is done in Switzerland, and your engagement letter sets out what it does.
• Foundations and companies. If the structure includes a foundation or a company, forming it carries its own incorporation and agent costs.

Every year

• Annual trustee fee
• Accounting, minutes and records
• Reporting to authorities

When something happens

• Some tasks are charged when they happen rather than yearly: a distribution to a beneficiary, a change of beneficiary or protector, an amendment to the deed and a change of trustee.

Charged by others

• Drafting the deed under the governing law (Law firm in that place; At set-up, and at each amendment)
• Advice on how the structure sits with Swiss rules (Swiss lawyer; Before signing, and if your position changes)
• The role it holds in your structure (Local partner; At set-up, then each year)
• Account opening and holding the assets (Swiss bank or custodian; At set-up, then ongoing)
• Forming a foundation or a company (Counsel and a corporate services provider; At set-up, then each year)
• Tax advice where you live (Your own adviser; Before signing, and if your position changes)

Who acts locally

• We work with a local partner.

How long it takes

• Time to set up: depends on your documents.

Set-up work

• Structure design. Agreeing with counsel whether a trust, a foundation or a private trust company fits your aims.
• Drafting. An Isle of Man law firm drafts the deed under the Trusts Act 1995, and your own lawyer reviews it. to confirm
• Identity and source-of-funds work. We verify the settlor, any protector and the other people connected with the trust, and review the evidence of where the money came from.
• Local roles. We work with a local partner where the work is done on the Island.
• Companies and foundations. If the structure includes one, forming it carries its own incorporation and agent costs.

Every year

• Annual trustee fee
• Accounting, minutes and records
• Reporting to authorities

When something happens

• Some tasks are charged when they happen rather than yearly. Examples are a distribution to a beneficiary, the addition or removal of a beneficiary, a change of protector and a change of trustee.

Charged by others

• Law firm. Drafting the deed and advising on later changes.
• Local partner. The role it holds in your structure.
• Bank or custodian. Account opening and its own fees for holding the assets.
• Accountant or auditor. Where the structure includes a company or the deed calls for audited accounts.
• Your own advisers. Tax advice in the country where you live is separate from the trust and is paid by you.

Who acts locally

• We work with a local partner.

How long it takes

• Time to set up: depends on your documents.

Set-up work

• Acceptance and structure design. Our identity and source-of-funds review, and the design work with your lawyer so the deed fits the structure.
• Legal drafting. A law firm in the principality drafts the deed and letter of wishes.
• Trustee acceptance. The trustee reads the file against the deed, runs its own checks and then accepts office.
• Holding company. A holding company under the trust is priced as its own item, formed where the assets suit.

Every year

• Annual trustee fee
• Accounting, minutes and records
• Reporting to authorities

When something happens

• A change in the trust triggers an event charge, for instance a distribution, a newly named beneficiary or protector, an amended deed or the final wind-up.

Charged by others

• Government charges in the principality, which the authorities set, not us.
• Corporate services fees for any holding company in the structure.
• Bank and brokerage charges on accounts opened in the trustee's name.
• Accounting or audit fees for any company under the trust, where its own law requires them.
• Translation and certification of documents, since the official texts are in German.

Who acts locally

• We work with a local partner.

How long it takes

• Time to set up: depends on your documents.

Set-up work

• Acceptance and structure design. Our identity and source-of-funds review, and the design work with your lawyer so the deed fits the structure.
• Legal drafting. A Cyprus law firm drafts the deed and letter of wishes.
• Trustee acceptance. The trustee reads the file against the deed, runs its own checks and then accepts office.
• Holding company. A holding company under the trust is priced as its own item, formed where the assets suit.

Every year

• The trustee bills for office, accounts, records, meetings and resolutions.

When something happens

• Separate event charges arise when the trust changes: paying out a distribution, adding a beneficiary or protector, amending the deed, or closing the trust.

Charged by others

• Government charges in Cyprus, which the authorities set, not us.
• Corporate services fees for any holding company in the structure.
• Bank and brokerage charges on accounts opened in the trustee's name.
• Accounting or audit fees for any company under the trust, where its own law requires them.
• Translation and certification of documents, if your papers are not in English or Greek.

Who acts locally

• We work with a local partner.

How long it takes

• Time to set up: depends on your documents.

Set-up work

• Acceptance and structure design. Our identity and source-of-funds review, and the design work with your lawyer so the deed fits the law.
• Legal drafting. A Maltese law firm drafts the deed and letter of wishes.
• Trustee acceptance. The trustee reads the file against the deed, runs its own checks and then accepts office.
• Holding company. A holding company under the trust is priced as its own item, formed where the assets suit.

Every year

• The trustee charges for holding office, accounts, records, meetings and resolutions under the deed.
• Our administration covers reporting, the annual review of identity papers and the preparation of the requests you send.

When something happens

• Event charges apply when something changes: a distribution, a new beneficiary, a new protector, a deed amendment or a wind-up.

Charged by others

• Government charges in Malta, which the authorities set, not us.
• Corporate services fees for any holding company in the structure.
• Bank and brokerage charges on accounts opened in the trustee's name.
• Accounting or audit fees for any company under the trust, where its own law requires them.
• Translation and certification of documents, if your papers are not in English or Maltese.

Who acts locally

• We work with a local partner.

How long it takes

• Time to set up: depends on your documents.

Set-up work

• Acceptance and design. Our identity and source-of-funds review, plus design work with your lawyer on the structure and the governing law.
• Legal drafting. A law firm drafts the deed and letter of wishes under the deed's governing law, which may not be Luxembourg law.
• Trustee onboarding. The trustee reads the whole file, runs checks of its own and then accepts office.
• Company under the trust. Forming a company, if the structure uses one, is a separate line.

Every year

• The trustee bills for holding office, keeping the accounts and records, and running meetings and resolutions.
• Our administration covers reporting, the annual review of identity papers and the preparation of the requests you send.

When something happens

• Events bring extra charges: a distribution, a new beneficiary, a new protector, a change to the deed or the end of the trust.

Charged by others

• Charges set by Luxembourg authorities, not by us.
• Corporate services firm fees, for forming and running a holding company.
• Custody and account charges at the banks that hold the trust's assets.
• Accountant or auditor fees for companies under the trust.
• Translation and certification of papers that are not in English, French or German.

Who acts locally

• A local partner acts as trustee.

How long it takes

• Time to set up: depends on your documents.

Set-up work

• Acceptance and design. Our identity and source-of-funds checks, and the structure work we do alongside your lawyer.
• Legal drafting. A law firm drafts the deed and the letter of wishes under the law the deed names, which may not be Dutch law.
• Trustee onboarding. The trustee studies the file, applies its own checks and then accepts office.
• Company or stichting. If the plan includes either one under the trust, forming it is billed separately.

Every year

• Our administration covers reporting, the yearly refresh of identity papers and the preparation of your requests.

When something happens

• Extra fees follow events: a distribution, a new beneficiary, a protector change, an amendment or the closing of the trust.

Charged by others

• Dutch government charges, which public bodies set and we do not.
• A corporate services firm's fees for a holding company.
• Account and custody charges at the banks that hold the assets.
• Accountants or auditors for companies under the trust, where one is needed.
• Translation and certification of papers that are not in English or Dutch.

Who acts locally

• A local partner acts as trustee.

How long it takes

• Time to set up: depends on your documents.

Set-up work

• Structure design and onboarding checks. Agreeing with counsel whether a trust, an asset protection trust or a private foundation fits your aims, and verifying the settlor and the people connected with the structure.
• Drafting. A Gibraltar law firm drafts the deed.
• Trustee acceptance. The trustee reads the file against the deed, accepts office and opens the trust file.
• Purpose trusts. Gibraltar has a Purpose Trusts Act 2015.
• Foundations and companies. If the structure includes one, forming it carries its own incorporation and agent costs.

Every year

• Annual trustee fee
• Accounting, minutes and records
• Reporting to authorities

When something happens

• Some tasks are charged when they happen rather than yearly. Examples are a distribution to a beneficiary, a change of beneficiary or protector and a change of trustee.

Charged by others

• Drafting the deed and advising on later changes (Gibraltar law firm; At set-up, and at each amendment)
• Account opening and holding the assets (Bank or custodian; At set-up, then ongoing)
• Forming a foundation or a company (Counsel and a corporate services provider; At set-up, then each year)
• Accounts or audit of an entity in the structure (Accountant or auditor; Each year, where required)
• Tax advice where you live (Your own adviser; Before signing, and if your position changes)

Who acts locally

• A local partner acts as trustee.

How long it takes

• Time to set up: depends on your documents.

Set-up work

• Client acceptance, identity checks and structure design.
• Drafting of the deed or charter, and your letter of wishes.
• The trustee's acceptance of office and its first records.
• Any registration step and any holding company.

Every year

• A foundation adds council meetings and, where one is appointed, a registered agent's fee.

Charged by others

• Law firm. It drafts the deed or charter and by-laws, and its fee follows the drafting work.
• Registry. A DIFC foundation is entered in the Registrar's Register; any registry charge is shown in your estimate.
• Registered agent. A DIFC foundation may, but need not, have one.
• Bank. Account opening and ongoing charges depend on the bank and the assets.
• Tax adviser. Your own adviser reviews your tax position at home and in the UAE.
• Translator. Papers not in English or Arabic may need a certified translation.

Who acts locally

• We work with a local partner.

How long it takes

• Time to set up: depends on your documents.

Set-up work

• Our client acceptance, identity checks and structure design.
• The law firm's drafting of the instrument in writing and help with your letter of wishes.
• The qualified trustee's acceptance of office and its opening records.
• Forming or transferring any holding company that sits under the trust.

Every year

• Annual trustee fee
• Accounting, minutes and records
• Reporting to authorities

When something happens

• One-off events are charged when they happen: a distribution, a deed amendment, a change of trustee or protector, or the sale of a holding.

Charged by others

• Law firm. Its fee follows the drafting work on the deed and on any holding company papers.
• Qualified trustee. The firm's own fee for its role, set in its terms of business.
• Bank. The bank sets its own account opening and yearly charges, which vary with the assets held.
• Translation. Documents not in English or French may need a certified translation.
• Tax advisers. Advice in your home country, in Mauritius and in each country where a holding sits.

Who acts locally

• We work with a local partner.

How long it takes

• Time to set up: depends on your documents.

Set-up work

• Client acceptance, identity checks and structure design, including screening each asset against the land rule (s. 10). to confirm
• Drafting of the written deed (s. 8) and your letter of wishes. to confirm
• The approved trustee's acceptance of office and its trustee appointment declaration. to confirm
• Any holding company placed under the trust, with its own set-up costs.

Every year

• The yearly work covers accounts, minutes, identity refreshes and lodging the accounting records in Seychelles (s. 27). to confirm

When something happens

• Events are charged when they happen: a distribution, a change to the deed, a new co-trustee or a protector change.

Charged by others

• Law firm. It drafts the deed, and its fee follows the drafting work.
• Approved trustee. Its fee for the role is set in its own terms of business.
• Registration. Any charge for filing the trustee appointment declaration appears as a separate line in your written estimate.
• Bank. Account opening and yearly charges vary by bank and by the assets held.
• Tax adviser. Your own adviser reviews your tax position at home and in Seychelles.

Who acts locally

• A local partner acts as trustee.

How long it takes

• Time to set up: depends on your documents.