Trust & Estate Planning
Where Legacy Meets Innovation — The Bahamas is a premier international wealth management center, blending centuries of trust law expertise with modern, innovative solutions tailored for today’s global families.
Clients from around the world are attracted by the jurisdiction’s political stability, regulatory transparency, and exceptional professional talent—all set in a location renowned for its quality of life. Whether establishing a trust, foundation, or family office, clients benefit from tax neutrality and sophisticated legal structures designed to meet the complex needs of high-net-worth individuals and families.
Bahamian trusts can exist indefinitely, thanks to the absence of a perpetuity period, and benefit from robust firewall provisions that shield assets from foreign judgments.
The law allows settlors and protectors to retain reserved powers without undermining asset protection, while flexible administration and investment management options accommodate evolving family needs.
Asset Protection Trusts in The Bahamas deliver additional statutory safeguards, including a short two-year protection period from settlement, strong defenses against foreign claims and forced heirship, and a clear legal process for addressing fraudulent transfers.
The Bahamas Foundations Act introduces a civil law-inspired structure within a common law environment, providing international clients with unique and versatile planning opportunities:
Legal Personality — A Bahamian foundation is a separate legal entity, able to own assets, enter contracts, and sue or be sued in its own name—offering operational flexibility not available with traditional trusts.
Hybrid Structure — Foundations blend the perpetual existence and administrative flexibility of a company with the succession planning and asset protection benefits of a trust.
Flexible Governance — Founders can tailor governance by appointing a foundation council, protector, and other officers, ensuring control and oversight align with family or philanthropic objectives.
Statutory Framework — The Act provides clear, modern rules for establishment, administration, and dissolution, giving certainty to founders and beneficiaries.
Privacy: Foundations benefit from limited public disclosure requirements, protecting the identities of founders and beneficiaries while maintaining regulatory compliance.
The Bahamas has become a premier destination for establishing family offices, offering a supportive environment for sophisticated wealth management and family governance.
Whether serving a single family or multiple families, Bahamian family offices provide customized investment oversight, consolidated reporting, coordinated tax and estate planning, and tailored governance solutions—including next-generation education and concierge services.
Multi-family offices benefit from economies of scale, access to institutional-quality investments, and shared expertise, all while maintaining privacy and independence from financial product providers.
Families are drawn to The Bahamas for its tax-neutral environment, access to global investment markets, and deep pool of specialized talent.
With its robust legal framework, deep professional expertise, and commitment to client privacy, The Bahamas empowers families and individuals to achieve their wealth preservation and succession goals with confidence.
As global needs evolve, the jurisdiction remains at the forefront of private wealth management—offering the flexibility, security, and innovation required for lasting success.