Bridgeford Trust recently produced a well-researched chart comparing the leading U.S. trust jurisdictions, with a particular emphasis on areas that clearly distinguish South Dakota as the superior trust jurisdiction in the overall analysis. Click here or on the image below to view the chart in PDF format.
As illustrated by the shaded areas on the chart, there are five specific planning tools where South Dakota excels, clearly rendering that state as the overall jurisdiction of choice for trust situs. South Dakota is generally regarded by most practitioners and academics, including Steve Oshins, a Nevada attorney, as being the best Dynasty Trust state and having the best Decanting Statute in the nation. Also, South Dakota clearly has the most robust privacy laws in the country, as pointed out by a recent article appearing in the January 2016 edition of Trusts & Estates Magazine comparing U.S. trust jurisdictions wherein the author noted, “Of the top tier trust jurisdictions, South Dakota has the best privacy laws in the nation.”
In addition, South Dakota is one of only two states with a Community Property Trust, a compelling tax planning tool for spouses. Finally, at 8 basis points, South Dakota has the lowest insurance premium tax in the U.S. When these attributes are considered in the aggregate, South Dakota clearly emerges as the superior trust jurisdiction in the nation.
For more information about South Dakota’s progressive and industry leading trust laws, click here. Contact Bridgeford Trust via our contact page with any questions or for additional information.
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Bridgeford Trust recently presented at the Global Financial Summit, an exclusive, private wealth conference that took place at the Atlantis Resort & Casino in the Bahamas. Featuring some of the biggest names and most insightful advisors in the wealth management world, David Warren, President and CEO of Bridgeford Trust, was honored to be included as one of this year’s speakers. His presentation, “The Vital Importance of Selecting the Proper Trust Situs,” and his participation on a “Panel on Taxes and Estate Planning” focused on the importance of trust jurisdiction in the wealth planning process for domestic and international families with connections to the U.S. relative to asset protection, privacy, and sophisticated tax planning.
Bridgeford Trust recently participated in a “Trust Jurisdiction Showdown” panel discussion at The Gathering, a 3-day educational conference produced by the Laureate Center for Wealth Advisors in San Diego, California. This 12th annual gathering featured experts speaking on topics in the areas of estate, business, and wealth strategies, drawing registrants from across the nation.
Modern trust laws, available in progressive trust jurisdictions such as South Dakota, have drastically changed the trust and wealth planning landscape bringing far more control and flexibility to settlors, advisors, and beneficiaries than ever before. Concepts such as the directed trust, decanting, and the trust protector have tremendously changed traditional notions around irrevocable trusts, and how they are drafted and administered.
Bridgeford Trust will be presenting at the upcoming Global Financial Summit, an exclusive, private wealth conference taking place at the Atlantis Resort & Casino in the Bahamas from March 16-19. The conference is produced by noted economist and award-winning financial advisor, Mark Skousen, and includes presentations from an elite team of highly successful wealth managers, financial gurus, economic forecasters, and geo-political analysts. Presenters will offer an experienced perspective on wealth-building and asset protection, offshore investing opportunities, financial privacy, and investment strategies.
South Dakota is once again ranked, for the third time in a row, as having the top decanting statute in the nation! Published by Nevada attorney Steve Oshins, the new 
Bridgeford Trust Company will be attending the 50th Annual Heckerling Institute on Estate Planning from January 11-15 in Orlando, Florida and co-sponsoring a cocktail reception on January 13 celebrating the power and sophistication of South Dakota’s trust laws.