An offshore private trust is a legal arrangement established in a jurisdiction outside the settlor's country of residence, designed to hold and manage assets for the benefit of designated beneficiaries. These trusts are commonly used by high-net-worth individuals and families to achieve a range of objectives including asset protection, succession planning, confidentiality, and tax efficiency.

By transferring assets into a trust, the settlor relinquishes legal ownership, allowing the trustee to manage the assets according to the terms of the trust deed. Offshore jurisdictions such as the Belize, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, and the UAE offer robust legal frameworks, political stability, and favourable regulatory environments that enhance the effectiveness of private trusts.

Key benefits include shielding assets from political or economic instability, mitigating inheritance taxes, and ensuring a smooth intergenerational transfer of wealth. Additionally, offshore private trusts can be tailored to accommodate complex family structures, philanthropic goals, and multi-jurisdictional asset holdings, making them a versatile tool in global wealth management.

Zetland specialises in the establishment and administration of offshore private trusts, offering tailored solutions to high-net-worth individuals and families across key jurisdictions including Hong Kong, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, and the British Virgin Islands. These jurisdictions are selected for their robust legal frameworks, confidentiality provisions, and flexibility in trust structuring.

Our experienced team of legal, fiduciary, and tax professionals collaborates closely with clients to design bespoke trust arrangements that align with their wealth preservation, succession planning, and philanthropic goals. We provide end-to-end support, from initial consultation and drafting of trust deeds to ongoing trustee services, compliance, and reporting.

**Trust Types** Zetland assists with a wide range of trust types, including: - **Discretionary Trusts** - offering flexibility in asset distribution and beneficiary management - **Fixed Interest Trusts** - ideal for predictable income allocation - **Charitable Trusts and Foundations** - supporting philanthropic initiatives with tax-efficient structures - **Purpose Trusts** - used for specific non-charitable objectives, including holding shares in family businesses - **Private Trust Companies (PTCs)** - enabling greater control and family governance over trust assets

With in-house legal counsel, multilingual support, and deep expertise in international trust law, Zetland ensures a secure and compliant process. Whether establishing a family trust in Hong Kong, a foundation in the UAE, or a PTC in the BVI, clients benefit from our strategic insight, operational excellence, and unwavering commitment to confidentiality and integrity.