A trust can be used for a variety of reasons including for estate and succession planning and administering family assets or wealth. A trust may often be used with underlying companies and BAPL with their associate firms in Isle of Man can help with such formation and administration services. The Isle of Man is a leading offshore jurisdiction for trusts with its own trust legislation.
Simply put, a trust is a legal arrangement where the ownership of the “Settlor’s” assets (such as property, shares or cash) is transferred to the “Trustee” (usually a small group of people or a trust company) to hold and manage for the benefit of third parties known as the “Beneficiaries” under the terms of a Trust Deed.
A trust can provide flexibility as it can set out terms on how and when assets may be distributed after the death of the Settlor and often without burdening the beneficiary with the weight of responsibility that immediate wealth inheritance can bring.
Preservation of wealth
The entrusting of the legal title of the assets in a Trustee prevents the ownership of the assets being diluted by successive generations, whilst allowing individuals to continue to benefit from the assets, such as a family business. As the legal title to the assets remains with the Trustee, this prevents the dilution of ownership that would occur if the assets were distributed from the original owner to second and third generations.
Circumvention of forced heirship laws
By divesting assets during the lifetime of the Settlor, the trust will not form part of his estate upon his death, avoiding forced heirship rules which may apply under laws in the Settlor’s country of residence.
Succession planning
As the Settlor no longer owns the assets, the need to obtain probate or similar formalities on his death can be avoided. A trust is therefore an efficient vehicle for transferring the benefits of property through generations, providing a useful tool for Settlors as part of tax and financial planning.
Asset protection
The Isle of Man offers a secure and stable political environment in which to hold assets and protect them from strategic risk. In addition, a trust can offer protection from creditors or other third parties in the country of domicile or residence of the Settlor.
Confidentiality
On the settlement of assets into a trust, those assets cease to form part of the estate of the Settlor. The legal title passes to the Trustee, whilst the right to future enjoyment can be passed to the Beneficiaries. Private trusts formed in the Isle of Man are not required to have accounts audited or to file accounts with any public body.
Using an Isle of Man trust for estate planning is a popular and efficient way to structure your assets. The Isle of Man is autonomous from the UK and is a self-governing Crown Dependency. This political independence and the Trusts Act 1995 mean that all matters and questions related to an Isle of Man trust are determined solely by local laws. That said, as much of the island’s legislation is based on English Law, decisions of the English High Court and the Court of Appeal will be persuasive in the Isle of Man courts.
The location of a trust and its Trustees is an important factor to consider when creating a trust. We advise clients to establish a trust in a jurisdiction which is reputable and well-regulated. The Isle of Man satisfies such requirements and is considered a suitable location of choice for a trust. Isle of Man trusts receive many benefits, including:
Not only do trusts help to navigate the tax environment and provide long-term security for the Beneficiaries in an efficient manner, they also allow the wishes of the Settlor to be carried out over a longer period of time, with the correct discretion.
BAPL can provide Trustee and related trust services and has extensive experience in the formation and administration of trusts. BAPL can assist with the formation and administration of trusts and also with foundations, private and managed trust companies and other family office services. Our team of professionals, work with private individuals, international families and also with legal and accounting firms around the world.
For more information, please contact the BAPL office sathya@bapl-inc.in/anil@bapl-inc.in