Every family has its own reasons for establishing a private family trust company (PFTC) which can be structured to suit the family’s needs and desired goals. When deciding whether to establish a PFTC, there are several important issues to consider. Taking an in-depth look at these considerations—including capital requirements, regulatory burdens and costs, family participation, long-term governance and succession, and trustee latitude—can help a family decide if it should create a PFTC and make it part of their long-term wealth planning.
Trust Structures
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Private trust companies (the PTCs) are not a new phenomenon. Rather, they have increased dramatically in number over the years, with hundreds of major, family-controlled trust institutions now operating in the United States. This article addresses why the number of PTCs has been growing; describes its typical organizational structure; and discusses certain legal and practical considerations that a family should address when exploring a PTC.
Breakout Session 2B: Estate Settlement Readiness
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We invest a lot of time and energy figuring out the best way to pass wealth from one generation to the next. But how can anyone truly prepare for the practical realities of settling a family member’s estate while grieving and managing the impact of this loss on the family? This session will outline some of the things you can be thinking about now to be prepared for a death in the family, including planning for a family funeral.
As families think about protecting their assets and ensuring their legacy, it becomes clearer how trusts and estate planning are essential. From understanding the various vehicles of wealth transfer strategies to trustee selection and trust structures and compliance, families can facilitate a more harmonious and purposeful transfer of both wealth and, importantly, family values.