Cost to Establish a Cook Islands Trust

The cost to establish a Cook Islands trust generally ranges between $10,000 to $25,000 for initial setup, with ongoing annual fees typically between $3,500 to $6,000 for trustee services and legal maintenance. The exact amount depends on the complexity of the trust and the professional services required.

What Is a Cook Islands Trust?

A Cook Islands trust is a self-settled irrevocable trust formed in the Cook Islands. It is one of the most powerful ways to protect assets from lawsuits and creditors. Assets placed in a Cook Islands trust cannot be easily collected by creditors because the assets are not subject to U.S. court jurisdiction.

Initial Setup Costs

The upfront cost to establish a Cook Islands trust depends on the complexity of the trust and the legal expertise required. The initial fees typically range from $10,000 to $25,000. This cost covers the following:

• Drafting trust documents tailored to your specific needs.
• Establishing the offshore structure, which may include creating a Nevis LLC.
• Consultation fees with asset protection attorneys.

Higher complexity—such as the need for multiple layers of legal entities or customized terms for managing trust assets—will result in higher costs.

Trustee and Administrative Fees

Once the trust is established, you must pay annual fees to maintain the trust. The Cook Islands requires that a licensed trustee oversee the trust’s management. Trustee fees range from $3,500 to $10,000 per year, depending on the level of administration required. These fees cover the day-to-day management of the trust assets and compliance with Cook Islands regulations.

The trustee will charge hourly for any additional administrative or legal work.

Ongoing Legal and Accounting Costs

Once the trust is established, your legal fees with a domestic asset protection attorney should be minimal. However, if you are sued or face a civil judgment, the U.S. attorney can help ensure that distributions from the Cook Islands trust remain protected from creditors. This will add to the overall cost of maintaining the Cook Islands trust.

You will also need to pay a small amount annually to an accountant to keep up with IRS reporting requirements.

Is the Cost Worth It?

While the price tag of establishing a Cook Islands trust may seem significant, the protection it offers can outweigh the cost, especially for high-net-worth individuals or those in professions with heightened legal risk.

Assets placed in a Cook Islands trust are largely shielded from U.S. court judgments and are nearly impossible for creditors to seize without going through Cook Islands legal proceedings—something that is extremely difficult and expensive for a creditor to attempt.

About the Author

Gideon Alper is an attorney who specializes in asset protection planning. He graduated with honors from Emory University Law School and has been practicing law for almost 15 years.

Gideon and the Alper Law firm have advised thousands of clients about how to protect their assets from creditors.