The Classical Fiduciary Services
The careful development and ideal structuring of assets over generations is one of Gustavia's strengths. We can place at your disposal a broad expert knowledge and many years of specialist experience in all aspects of the fiduciary role. Acquisition, holding and management of assets (trust property).
- Structuring of assets and activities to take account of corporate, tax, inheritance and commercial law aspects
- Formation and management of companies, foundations and trusts in Switzerland and internationally
- Bookkeeping and accounting, consolidated reporting
- Settlement of estates and execution of wills
Trusts
We specialize in Swiss Managed Offshore Trusts. This is a very effective and popular vehicule.
The trust concept has been developed over the centuries, and has now become one of the most effective tax and estate planning techniques available today.
The key parties in all trusts include:
• The Settlor
• The Trustee
• The Beneficiary(ies)
A trust is created by a person known as the Settlor by transferring assets to an independent third party (known as the Trustee). The trustee then administers and manages the assets on behalf of other individuals (known as the Beneficiaries). For estate and tax planning purposes, the trust will normally be evidenced by a written document called either a Settlement Deed, Trust Deed, Declaration of Trust or Trust Instrument and this document lays down the foundations of how the trustees are to administer and manage the trust assets and how they are to distribute and dispose of trust assets during the lifetime of the trust. Typically, the assets of a trust will comprise money, real property and shares in companies, but could be extended to include ownership of any movable or immovable asset and ownership of intellectual property. Trustees have a fiduciary duty to act in accordance with a trust deed and for the benefit of the beneficiaries. It is important to understand that trustees not only should, but also are obliged to manage and control the trust property independently for the benefit of the beneficiaries in accordance with the trust deed. If a settlor retains control of the assets, or issue instructions to the trustees which are accepted, it could be deemed that the trust was not properly settled in the first place thus rendering the trust invalid.
Trusts Jurisdictions we provide
- Nevis
- Seychelles
- Liechtenstein
- Panama
- Brunei
- New Zeeland
Foundations
A foundation is an incorporated estate which has been set up for specified purposes. The estate has the status of a legal person and exists entirely separate from the founder's personal assets. Assets donated for a specific purpose acquire an independent status and, as a foundation, an independent legal personality. Such assets, as a juridical person, are no longer part of the private assets of the founder and then constitute the assets of the foundation. The assets must be exclusively administered so as to realize the intentions of the founder. Foundations are particularly suitable for asset management and family succession arrangement purposes.
Foundations Jurisdictions we provide
- Panama "Private Interest Foundation"
- Liechtenstein "Family Foundation"
- Netherlands "Stichting" or "Foundation"
- Netherland Antilles "Stichting Particulier Fonds" or "Private
Foundation"
- Seychelles "Foundation"
