For those who have an appetite for seeking increased opportunities for wealth protection as well as broaden the types of investments that can earn good returns, one can setup estate-planning structures within certain selected overseas countries. This is typically referred to as going “offshore”.

Our office can assist clients in establishing offshore asset protection trusts, irrevocable life insurance trusts and variable annuity trusts in selected jurisdictions throughout the world including but not limited to Switzerland and Liechtenstein.

It should be noted that as an American citizen or permanent resident, there are various Internal Revenue Code regulations designed to discourage the establishment of structures that attempt to avoid or minimize the payment of income and capital gains taxes. However, several tried and true offshore structures can be established to defer income taxes as well as reduce or eliminate estate taxes. In addition, there is usually no question that an offshore asset protection trust offers enhanced protection against the forays of greedy creditors. These offshore structures generally cost more to establish and maintain and we will be happy to discuss their various attributes with you should you have an interest in employing these strategies.