Nevada: A Global Center for Family Trusts

Nevada has emerged as a top destination for family trusts, attracting affluent individuals seeking to protect their assets and minimize taxes. Here’s an in-depth look into Nevada’s trust industry and the factors driving its popularity.

Nevada’s Trust Advantages

Nevada offers a unique combination of advantages that make it ideal for asset protection trusts:

No Income or Inheritance Tax

Nevada has no state income tax or inheritance tax, allowing trusts to grow in value without being subject to significant deductions.

Strong Secrecy Laws

Nevada’s strict secrecy laws protect trust records from public disclosure, ensuring the confidentiality of the trust’s assets and beneficiaries.

Flexible Trust Options

Nevada allows for “decanting,” where irrevocable trusts can be modified into new trusts, providing flexibility in trust management.

No Exception Creditors

Nevada law protects trusts from claims by ex-spouses, child support collectors, and lawsuit plaintiffs, further safeguarding trust assets.

The Murdoch Family Feud

The ongoing Murdoch family feud in Nevada highlights the state’s trust-friendly laws. The dispute revolves around the Murdoch Family Trust, which controls the voting shares of News Corp. and Fox Corp.

Rupert Murdoch, the trust’s creator, seeks to alter the trust to give his son Lachlan control upon Rupert’s death, despite the trust’s irrevocable nature. Nevada’s decanting law allows for such modifications if it can be demonstrated that it is in the heirs’ best interests.

The Great Wealth Transfer and Asset Protection Trusts

The rising popularity of asset protection trusts is largely driven by the “Great Wealth Transfer,” where trillions of dollars are being passed down to future generations. Trusts offer estate planning benefits, such as tax avoidance and asset protection.

Nevada’s Trust Industry

Nevada’s trust industry has experienced significant growth in recent years. Trust companies, attorneys, and facilitators have established a strong presence in the state. The total amount of trust assets in Nevada is estimated to be in the hundreds of billions of dollars, showcasing the state’s importance as a financial hub.

Factors Driving the Growth of Asset Protection Trusts

Several factors have contributed to the surge in asset protection trusts:

Expiration of Estate Tax Exemption

The potential expiration of the estate and gift tax exemption is leading individuals to establish trusts to shelter their assets from taxation.

Fears of a Global Wealth Tax

Concerns about a global wealth tax have prompted individuals to seek asset protection measures through trusts.

IRS Crackdown on Wealthy Taxpayers

Increased IRS scrutiny of wealthy taxpayers has encouraged the use of trusts for asset protection purposes.

Foreign Investment in U.S. Trusts

Wealthy individuals from around the world are using U.S. trusts as offshore tax havens, further driving the demand for asset protection trusts.