TrustWorld is the only completely FREE to access website offering detailed information on international trusts. It is a resource for the Professional and the Consumer with surveys and articles separated for these two groups.

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For those visitors with limited knowledge of trusts, click this link An Introduction to Trusts.

Trusts are the world’s most popular vehicle for asset planning: wealth placed in the hands of trustees serves several useful purposes. The wealth is no longer the responsibility of the settlor and, with the right planning, it can be preserved from creditors, tax authorities and those expecting to benefit under forced heirship provisions.

An individual selects a trustee or trust company to become the legal owner of their assets . Assets are transferred to the trustee for the benefit of persons (or purposes) selected by the person setting up the trust. That settlor makes his intentions clear in the trust instrument; that is, the Will or Deed setting up the trust and which is binding upon the trustee. Although a beneficiary may be entitled to a share of the trust income, he or she does not become the absolute legal owner until such time as the settlor nominates in the trust instrument. So, with a carefully thought out trust, everybody wins. The emphasis is on a properly thought out trust; with a badly constructed trust, the taxman wins as well.

The use of trusts is obvious when times are good and prosperity is around everyone’s corner. However, when the economy turns sour there is a need for trusts to be set up to preserve assets earned in the good days.

Life may not be so good again for some years and the wealthy therefore need to assess how to preserve their existing wealth, or a good proportion of it, for themselves and their family. As in the 18^th century, family wealth may not be easily replaced if it is squandered or disbursed.

There is no better way to guard against potential hazards than placing wealth in a trust.

Although there are alternatives such as insurance policies and foundations, the key concept against which they are judged is the trust; a vehicle renowned for its versatility and adaptability.

The process of establishing the right trust in the right jurisdiction, however, is not easy and requires commitment and, above all, proper advice. The choice of jurisdiction and where to set up a trust is the fulcrum around which all other aspects revolve. For example, the choice of trustee and investment policies is influenced by the particular jurisdiction chosen. To make a proper choice an adviser, working with a settlor requires a substantial knowledge of what trusts are available internationally. Although based upon common principles, trusts in many jurisdictions show their own characteristics; they vary in detail and it is the detail which is relevant to each individual potential settlor.

Where a trust provider has only the knowledge of his own jurisdiction then that person is not equipped to give the proper advice in certain situations. No-one can be an expert in every jurisdiction but at least the characteristics should be known so that a genuine adviser can then research in detail the shortlist of those jurisdictions out of which the best can be selected. This information is sometimes hard to find but now, with TrustWorld, there is a comprehensive FREE information source.

The Trust surveys lead the way. As well as surveying the characteristics of international trust law and practice of trusts in the leading trust jurisdictions, practitioners will find other relevant and informative matters such as case notes and articles on this site. The investor, and wider audiance, will also find a great deal of information available in easy to understand surveys and articles. Our contributors are happy to answer your questions and we hope you find TrustWorld useful and informative.