Zetland is licensed by the Trust and Corporate Services Providers (TCSP) to provide trust services in Hong Kong. Our dedicated team possesses the right qualifications, expertise and extensive experience in managing highly complex trust structures, drafting complex trust deeds tailored specifically to individual client needs, and maintaining precise trust accounts to ensure absolute compliance and asset protection.
Trusts are versatile tools for asset protection, wealth management, philanthropy, and securing the future for generations to come. At Zetland, we create and manage bespoke trust solutions tailored to our clients' unique goals.
We are an independent trustee and do not operate under any bank or organisation. Our team is comprised of highly qualified individuals who include lawyers and accountants, who take pride in providing excellent service to clients.
Our approach to trust administration can be summed up in two words: dedication and impartiality.
At Zetland, we adopt a comprehensive approach that integrates thorough supervision, proactive management, and clear, transparent communication. This ensures that trust assets are not only continuously protected but also managed effectively, always aligning with our clients' unique goals and best interests. Our commitment is to deliver peace of mind and optimal results, fostering trust and confidence in every step of our process.
We are committed to impartiality and diligence in trust administration. As an independent trustee, our qualified and experienced team of legal and accounting experts ensures rigorous due diligence, continuous asset monitoring, accurate financial management, consensus-driven decisions, and meticulous adherence to trust documentation.
DedicationWe manage trust assets with the utmost diligence by carefully assessing each asset's unique characteristics and potential risks. Our team continuously monitors market conditions and the performance of each asset to identify opportunities and mitigate potential issues. We develop comprehensive strategies tailored to the specific needs of the trust, implementing measures such as diversification, rebalancing, and risk management protocols.
ImpartialityAt Zetland, trust administration is carried out through a fair and systematic process, ensuring unbiased and well-informed decisions. The process includes comprehensive due diligence on parties and assets prior to establishing the trust, with verification of the source of wealth and inspection of asset. Operational aspects such as banking, investment management, and objectives are agreed upon with the settlor and subject to ongoing monitoring. Regular accounting and performance reviews are conducted, with decisions made collectively by qualified professionals and properly documented. Strict compliance with the trust deed and relevant documents, including the Letter of Wishes, is maintained to ensure proper governance.
Before settling a trust, consult an experienced professional to address key questions: trust setup and administration, the parties in a trust, settlor's rights, trustee selection and roles, beneficiaries and their rights, protector roles, financial impacts on investments, tax implications, jurisdictional comparison, costs including annual costs, and legality. Zetland serves as a trusted intermediary that connects clients with a network of qualified global experts. Additionally, Zetland collaborates with clients' existing advisers to provide consistent and reliable guidance. The firm's services are designed to ensure sound financial and legal advice, while also proactively warning clients about exaggerated or misleading claims related to offshore trusts.
Zetland's trust fees include an initial setup fee for drafting the trust deed, an annual fixed fee for holding the trustee office, and an administration fee based on time spent plus direct costs for trust administration, accounting, and bookkeeping. Zetland does not charge the traditional way of charging trustee fees, which are based on a percentage of assets or for distributions.
Zetland charges trust fees on the following basis and does not generally charge fees as a percentage of assets under management or levy distribution fees.
Initial set-up feeThis initial set-up fee covers professional consultation, precise drafting of customized trust deeds, and the preparation of all necessary legal documentation to establish your trust effectively.
Annual fixed feeThis annual fixed fee covers ongoing trustee responsibilities, ensuring continuous oversight, regulatory compliance, and maintenance of the trust according to established governance standards.
Administration feeThe administration fee covers comprehensive trust administration services, including detailed accounting, meticulous bookkeeping, regular reporting, and effective asset management based on time and direct costs incurred.
Setting up a trust can be daunting if there are complex trust jargons that a client has to understand before even starting to set up a trust. Our comprehensive Glossary of Trust Terminology contains a vocabulary that clients are likely to encounter when setting up or administering a trust and their meaning. It clarifies key terms and concepts essential to understanding trust administration, ensuring clients make informed and confident decisions.
Gain clear insights into critical trust terminology and concepts with our detailed Glossary, enhancing your understanding and facilitating informed decision-making.
An offshore trust whose main object is the protection of a settlor's property from future attack by creditors.
A simple form of trust
A person who will receive benefits from a trust.
A simple form of Bare Trust usually relating to the ownership of securities by a nominee.
A formal legal document that creates a trust and sets out the framework how a trust should operate.
A type of trust and legal arrangement where settlor transfer assets to the trust and the trustees manages the assets and have discretion on the distribution of the assets to the beneficiary.
The country where the settlor considers as his permanent home, where the trustee is based and the place where the trust is established.
Laws which force division of an estate upon death to specified people, usually spouses or children, regardless of what is written in a will.
The transfer of assets with the intent to defraud legitimate creditors or claims over them.
The choice of law to govern the operations of a trust. Grantor USA terminology for settlor.
A person legally appointed or eligible to care for another person who cannot manage their own affairs, typically a minor child or a an adult with incapacity.
Literally translated to "between the living". Inter Vivos trust is also known as living trust, a trust created during the lifetime of the settlor.
The place where the legal authority or power to determine how a trust is governed, interpreted and enforced is based.
Also known as Letter of Wishes. A non-legally binding memorandum or letter written by the settlor detailing his wishes and intentions and how a trust should be managed and how distributions should be made.
A person or entity who acts or holds assets on behalf of another often for privacy and administrative convenience.
A person who serves as a watchdog over the trustee.
A process by which a company tranfers its legal registration from one domicile to another.
A person who creates the trust and transfers property into a trust, setting the rules how it should operate thus establishing the trust.
A trust established under the Special Trusts Alternative Regime (STAR) legislation of the Cayman Islands and is only available in the Cayman Islands. This permits a purpose trust to be established where beneficiaries have no power of enforcement.
A legal arrangement where one party (the settlor) transfers assets to another (the trustee) to manage the assets, for the benefits of others (the beneficiaries).
A person or legal entity that owns the trust property once it is transferred by the settlor to the trust and administers it according to the provisions of the trust deed.
USA terminology for settlor.
A trust arising as a result of the provisions of a will.
A trust established under the Virgin Islands Special Trusts Act (VISTA) enabling a BVI company owned wholly by the trust to be solely the responsibility of its directors. The control remains with the directors and the trust are not permitted to intervene except in very rare cases. This is ideal for settlors who wishes to retain control of the assets of the trust during his lifetime and passes the ownership to the beneficiaries after passing.
Zetland Fiduciary Group operates a global network of offices to support clients across key international financial hubs. Whether you are seeking guidance on company formation, trust administration, accounting, or cross-border transactions, our local experts in Hong Kong, Shanghai, Singapore, and London are ready to assist.
Contact any of our offices directly for tailored advice and seamless service.