Video Library

Bridgeford recently hosted a livestream presentation exploring a challenge central to effective multigenerational planning: protecting families of wealth from themselves.

Inspired by HBO’s “Succession,” this discussion examines the real-world parallels between the fictional Roy family and the complex dynamics many families of wealth face today, including issues of control, succession, and legacy. While the series is fictional, the risks it highlights are very real. Without strategic trust planning, wealth can quickly become a source of conflict rather than continuity.

In this presentation, David Warren, Co-Founder & Chairman of Bridgeford Trust Company, walks through how modern trust law, particularly South Dakota’s progressive statutes, can be used to help families preserve wealth, maintain control, and support long-term stability across generations.

Topics covered include:
– Dynasty Trusts
– Privacy and Confidentiality
– Domestic Asset Protection Trusts
– Directed Trusts
– Family Governance
– Private Trust Companies

Together, these tools demonstrate how thoughtful planning can help families protect and control their legacies during a time of increasing global complexity and uncertainty.

If you have questions about the topics discussed in this presentation, or would like to learn more, contact us at info@bridgefordtrust.com or (605) 224-9189.

Bridgeford Trust Company’s white label (or private label) trust services empower RIAs, family offices, investment managers, and insurance professionals to offer sophisticated trust solutions without the burden of trust administration or compromising brand identity.

In this video, we explore our customizable white label model, which allows partners to choose their level of brand integration and service involvement—from fully branded experiences to independent referral relationships. Learn how our marketing and sales support, training and education, and back-office infrastructure make it easy to incorporate South Dakota’s industry-leading trust laws into your firm’s planning solutions.

For more information, visit: https://bridgefordtrust.com/services/white-label-trust-services/. Contact us with any questions at info@bridgefordtrust.com or (605) 224-9189.

Bridgeford Trust Company was honored to sponsor FPA Philly’s 38th Annual Spring Symposium, hosted by the Philadelphia Tri-State chapter of the Financial Planning Association.

As part of the symposium, our Co-Founder and Chairman, David Warren, delivered a timely presentation on how South Dakota’s modern trust laws are transforming the trust industry in the United States. Framing the discussion within today’s broader context, David acknowledged the significant geopolitical uncertainty we’re facing—from shifting tariffs and increased IRS scrutiny to the broader sense of instability coming out of Washington. In times like these, modern trust law becomes not just relevant, but essential. His presentation explores how, by understanding and leveraging powerful trust planning tools available only in top-tier jurisdictions like South Dakota, clients and their advisors can achieve direction and control in their planning, even in unsettled times.

Have questions? Contact us at info@bridgefordtrust.com or (605) 224-9189, or visit us at www.bridgefordtrust.com.

In this video, we explore the very real challenges faced by ultra-high-net-worth families and how strategic trust planning, modern trust laws, and strong governance can help “protect families of wealth from themselves.” Inspired by HBO’s “Succession,” we examine the lessons it offers and the planning tools available to preserve family harmony and legacy across generations.

For more information, read our original article: https://bridgefordtrust.com/protecting-families-of-wealth-from-themselves-lessons-from-hbo-succession/

We’ll continue exploring this topic throughout the year—sharing more insights into how proper trust jurisdiction selection, modern trust law, and effective family governance can help families avoid the pitfalls of generational wealth. Be sure to subscribe for future videos and updates.

Have questions? Contact us at info@bridgefordtrust.com or (605) 224-9189, or visit us at www.bridgefordtrust.com.

With the implementation of the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) earlier this year, trust and estate planning professionals are navigating a new era of compliance and privacy challenges.

At the South Dakota Trust Association’s 8th Annual Fall Forum in October 2024, David Warren, Co-Founder and Chairman of Bridgeford Trust Company, delivered this insightful presentation that discusses key aspects of the CTA, including reporting requirements, exemptions, penalties, and privacy safeguards. He goes on to highlight how South Dakota’s advanced trust laws, such as Directed Trusts and robust privacy provisions, provide effective solutions to adapt to this new transparency regime.

If you have any questions, contact us at info@bridgefordtrust.com or call (605) 224-9189.

Explore insights from Bridgeford Philadelphia’s exciting launch event, held on November 13, 2024, at the iconic Union League of Philadelphia. This engaging panel discussion, titled “Well-Settled Trusts in Unsettled Times,” featured industry leaders from Bridgeford Trust Company, Morgan Lewis, and McKonly & Asbury.

Topics included innovative trust structures and strategies for optimizing tax planning, obtaining privacy in a transparent world, and asset protection – all achievable by simply selecting the proper trust jurisdiction.

For more information about Bridgeford’s exciting expansion into Philadelphia, visit https://bridgefordtrust.com/bridgeford-philadelphia/.

If you have any questions, contact us at info@bridgefordtrust.com or call (605) 224-9189.

Directed Trusts have transformed the trust world, changing how we build and manage trusts for the families we serve. Codified in a select few states – including South Dakota – Directed Trusts unbundle the traditionally rigid structure of asset management and trust administration, offering settlors, beneficiaries, and their advisors more direction, control, and flexibility than ever before.

As Directed Trusts evolve across the country, some states – such as California and Pennsylvania – are adopting their own versions of the concept. However, it’s vital to ensure these Directed Trusts function as intended.

Watch this video to learn more and if you have any questions, contact us at info@bridgefordtrust.com or call (605) 224-9189. You can also visit our website at www.bridgefordtrust.com.

Discover how Spousal Lifetime Access Trusts (SLATs) offer a unique planning opportunity for married couples to transfer wealth, reduce estate taxes, and protect assets. Learn why South Dakota’s favorable trust laws make it an ideal choice, especially in times of geopolitical instability, political uncertainty, and potential tax changes.

In this video, we explore how SLATs can provide substantial tax savings across generations, leveraging South Dakota’s no state income tax status.

For more on SLATs and how they combine with South Dakota’s modern trust laws to create a powerful planning opportunity for advisors and their clients – even in times of uncertainty – contact us at info@bridgefordtrust.com or call (605) 224-9189. You can also visit our website at www.bridgefordtrust.com.

Along with providing trust and fiduciary services to our clients, Bridgeford Trust Company offers specialized solutions in tax planning and asset protection. Among these solutions is the opportunity to purchase Private Placement Life Insurance (PPLI) within an LLC created and managed by Bridgeford Trust Company, taking advantage of South Dakota’s insurance premium tax – which is the lowest in the U.S at 8 basis points.

Learn more about our PPLI LLC services and how we can provide everything you need to establish and maintain your South Dakota PPLI LLC. If you have any questions, please reach out to us at info@bridgefordtrust.com or by calling (605) 224-9189. You can also visit our website at www.bridgefordtrust.com.

This webinar was originally produced on Wednesday, December 6, 2023 and discussed modern trust law and the evolving trust industry. This webinar offered further conversation on Bridgeford’s Independent v. Institutionalized Trust Companies article (https://www.bridgefordtrust.com/independent-v-institutionalized-trust-companies-in-defense-of-the-new-paradigm/) that has garnered much attention throughout the advisor community as it addresses the U.S. trust industry transformation, a new paradigm, and the influx of international financial services providers and private equity firms all looking for a “piece of the action.”

During this webinar, David Warren, Co-Founder and Chairman of Bridgeford Trust Company, walked attendees through:

— An examination of the evolution of the trust industry over the past 40 years, what it means, and the opportunities it presents for settlor of trusts, beneficiaries, and their advisors, as well as the vital importance of proper situs selection and trust independence.
— A cautionary review of how the new paradigm has ushered in large, international, multifaceted, and highly institutionalized financial services providers from all over the world establishing trust companies in top-tier U.S. jurisdictions: an unfortunate development for the U.S. trust industry for many reasons that we’ll discuss.
— A consideration of the powerful modern trust law planning tools available in top-tier trust jurisdictions around asset protection, privacy, and compelling state and federal tax planning – all achievable while maintaining great direction and control over critical aspects of trust administration.
— An analysis of whether there is a fiduciary duty on the part of advisors and trustees to use top-tier trust jurisdictions in the planning process, and to embrace the new paradigm in the trust world, with a focus on providing truly independent and conflict-free trust solutions for families across the nation and around the world.

If you have any questions regarding the material covered in this webinar, reach out to us at info@bridgefordtrust.com or call us at (605) 224-9189. You can also visit our website at https://www.bridgefordtrust.com/.

David Warren, Co-Founder and Chairman of Bridgeford Trust Company, recently presented on the Death of INGs in California and Opportunities for Residents. He was joined by Bill Lipkind, who leads Wilson Elser’s national tax planning and controversies practice, and is a true expert in the ING space. During the presentation, David and Bill reviewed California’s move to abolish incomplete non-grantor (ING) trusts and offered potential “workarounds” as to how clients with existing INGs in California can move forward and retool their trust, as well as salvage essential and very prudent state tax planning.

If you have any questions on this presentation, contact us at info@bridgefordtrust.com or by calling (605) 224-9189.

The U.S. trust industry has transformed significantly over the past four decades, and top-tier U.S. jurisdictions, such as South Dakota, have emerged with powerful modern trust law concepts, revolutionizing the trust industry as they directly address and resolve inherent conflicts of interest and lack of control that families were forced to endure under the traditional, institutionalized trust company model.

Fueled by these exciting developments in modern trust law, independent trust companies that did not manage assets (such as Bridgeford Trust Company) offered a boutique, conflict-free, and non-institutionalized approach: a market-driven correction to a highly flawed trust industry. However, this new paradigm has attracted the attention of major international financial services “conglomerates” and private equity firms – all looking for a “piece of the action” and to capture, or in many instances, retain revenue going to independent trust companies in top-tier U.S. trust jurisdictions.

In this video, David Warren – Co-Founder and Chairman of Bridgeford Trust Company – discusses this transformation and new paradigm. He explains the negative impact of the large international financial conglomerates entering the trust industry and acquiring independent trust companies in top-tier jurisdictions, including recently in South Dakota: an unfortunate development for the U.S. trust industry as once independent trust companies created in the vein of a new paradigm have now become part of the problem they sought to remedy.

For more information on independent v. institutionalized trust companies and Bridgeford Trust Company’s commitment to the new paradigm, please contact us at info@bridgefordtrust.com or by calling (605) 224-9189.

David Warren, Co-Founder and Chairman of Bridgeford Trust Company, recently gave this presentation that discussed:

– The Pandora Papers and other massive international data breaches and their impact on government regulation as well as calls for greater urgency around transparency in the financial services industry.

– Information disclosure requirements, both domestically and internationally, with a discussion around the Corporate Transparency Act, CRS and FATCA.

– The U.S. emergence as a privacy and asset protection haven for domestic and international families, as well as modern trust law planning tools available to families and their advisors.

– The vital importance of selecting the proper trust jurisdiction as well as examining the question as to whether there is a fiduciary duty to select the proper trust jurisdiction and whether it may be professional malpractice not to do so in the planning process.

If you have any questions about any of the topics discussed, contact us at info@bridgefordtrust.com or by calling (605) 224-9189.

In addition to providing industry leading trust administration and fiduciary services to the families we serve across the country and around the world, Bridgeford Trust Company provides host company services, which includes back-office, clerical, compliance, and trust administration services to start up public and private trust companies to assist with keeping them compliant and operating property under South Dakota law.

Learn more about the services we offer to meet host company needs as well as provide trust administration or custodial account trust administration services.

Contact us to discuss this topic further at info@bridgefordtrust.com or by calling (605) 224-9189. You can also visit our website at www.bridgefordtrust.com.

Bridgeford Trust Company recently hosted a livestream event where David Warren, Co-Founder and Chairman of Bridgeford Trust Company, discussed a variety of timely topics related to privacy and asset protection in a transparent world – two concepts that still exist in light of recently imposed information disclosure requirements, both domestically and internationally, as well as an update on developments regarding modern trust law and powerful planning opportunities available.

You can download a copy of the slides at: https://bit.ly/3h6oyZI

If you have any questions or for additional information on any of the topics discussed, please call us at (605) 224-9189 or email us at info@bridgefordtrust.com.

David Warren, Co-Founder and Chairman of Bridgeford Trust Company, recently gave this presentation that discussed:

– The Pandora Papers and other massive international data breaches and their impact on government regulation as well as calls for greater urgency around transparency in the financial services industry.

– Information disclosure requirements, both domestically and internationally, with a discussion around the Corporate Transparency Act, FATCA, and CRS.

– The U.S. emergence as a privacy and asset protection haven for domestic and international families, as well as modern trust law planning tools available to families and their advisors.

– A comparison of “top-tier” U.S. trust jurisdictions and the vital importance of selecting the proper trust jurisdiction under current statutory guidance and emerging case law.

– The power of modern U.S. trust law and Private Placement Life Insurance through Bridgeford International – the global planning and sales engine for the Bridgeford family of companies, promoting the power of U.S. modern trust law and sophisticated insurance planning solutions around the world.

If you have any questions about any of the topics discussed, contact us at info@bridgefordtrust.com or by calling (605) 224-9189.

On March 1, 2022, Bridgeford Trust Company was a sponsor, moderator, and presenter in a virtual forum hosted by Trusts & Estates and WealthManagement.com. This session addressed the issues involved in working with ultra-high-net-worth (UHNW) clients and family offices. Presenters included David Warren, Co-Founder and Chairman of Bridgeford Trust Company; Kim Kamin, Principal & Chief Wealth Strategist at Gresham Partners LLC; Hugh Magill, Vice Chairman, Retired at Northern Trust; and Domingo Such III, Partner at Perkins Coie.

For more information on any of the topics discussed, contact us at info@bridgefordtrust.com or by calling (605) 224-9189. You can also visit our website at www.bridgefordtrust.com.

As modern trust laws have proliferated over the past 20 years, the decision as to where to place a trust has become as important as the decision to create one in the planning process. Researching and identifying states with the most sophisticated and powerful trust planning tools has become of paramount importance and in addition, developing case law and other legal authority governing and guiding the fiduciary industry has clearly identified a duty to select proper trust jurisdiction in the planning process.

This video analyzes the legal authority and examines the question as to whether there is, in fact, a fiduciary duty to select the proper trust jurisdiction, and whether it may be professional malpractice not to do so in the planning process.

Contact us to discuss this topic further at info@bridgefordtrust.com or by calling (605) 224-9189. You can also visit our website at www.bridgefordtrust.com.

Recently, Bridgeford Trust Company was invited to speak at a virtual event hosted by the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA) entitled “Performance + Purpose: Redefine the Lines.”

David Warren – Co-Founder and Chairman of Bridgeford Trust Company – walked attendees through powerful modern trust law planning tools, only available in a handful of states, that offer compelling planning options in the areas of state and federal taxation, asset protection, and privacy while delivering more direction and control to settlors of trusts and their advisors through the use of directed trusts and the trust protector concept. David went on to discuss “top tier” trust jurisdictions and objectively compared these jurisdictions in the context of selecting the best U.S. trust jurisdiction in the planning process. 

If you have any questions on David’s presentation, or would like more information on South Dakota’s modern trust laws, we’d love to hear from you. Please visit our website at www.bridgefordtrust.com; call us at (605) 224-9189, or email us at info@bridgefordtrust.com.

This webinar was originally produced on Wednesday, December 16, 2020. During this webinar, David Warren – Co-Founder and Chairman of Bridgeford Trust Company – examined various worldwide factors for the historic movement of money into the U.S. including FACTA, CRS, secrecy v. privacy, tax evasion v. tax planning, and asset protection.

This webinar was originally produced on Wednesday, September 30, 2020. During this webinar, David Warren, Co-Founder and Chairman of Bridgeford Trust Company, explored achieving certainty in an uncertain world through proper trust situs selection and the powerful capabilities and flexibility of modern U.S. trust law.

Unlike traditional trusts, the South Dakota Purpose Trust, considered the most flexible in the nation, is a type of trust which has no beneficiaries. A Purpose Trust can be established to hold and protect assets for a specific purpose and not for the benefit of beneficiaries. Similar to a charitable remainder trust which exists to support a particular charity or charitable intent, the Purpose Trust can be created to support or maintain a specific purpose, in perpetuity uniquely under South Dakota law.

Contact us to discuss this topic further at info@bridgefordtrust.com or by calling (605) 224-9189. You can also visit our website at www.bridgefordtrust.com.

This webinar was originally produced on Thursday, April 9, 2020. During this webinar, David Warren, Chairman of the Board/Co-Founder of Bridgeford Trust Company and President/CEO of Bridgeford, highlights how modern progressive trust laws — found only in a handful of states including South Dakota — have drastically changed how trusts are created and administered, delivering far more direction and control to settlors of trusts, beneficiaries, and their advisors than ever before.

Watch Bridgeford Trust’s presentation at the Collaborate 2019 Conference in Harrisburg, PA. This presentation – Trust Jurisdiction Matters: Powerful Tax Planning Opportunities Using Trusts – explored practical applications of the Kaestner case and the various tax planning strategies using trusts. It also compared “top tier” trust jurisdictions and factors that distinguish them when selecting where to establish a trust.

An often overlooked, but extremely important factor in comparing top tier trust jurisdictions is a state’s fiscal soundness and stability. Listen in as we discuss fiscal soundness and how South Dakota trust law and its relative fiscal soundness, when compared with that of other top tier jurisdictions in the aggregate, clearly indicates that South Dakota is the superior jurisdiction in the nation, and the most compelling choice for trust situs.

Contact us to discuss this topic further at info@bridgefordtrust.com or by calling (605) 224-9189. You can also visit our website at www.bridgefordtrust.com.

In an unanimous decision, the Supreme Court strikes down North Carolina’s attempt to tax undistributed income of a resident trust properly sitused and administered in a no income tax state like South Dakota.

Indicating that to do so is a violation of due process, the Court’s decision is a very important affirmation and validation of powerful state tax planning tools available in non-income tax jurisdictions, and again, underscores the vital importance of selecting proper trust jurisdiction in the planning process.

Listen to learn more, and contact us to discuss this topic further at info@bridgefordtrust.com or by calling (605) 224-9189. You can also visit our website at www.bridgefordtrust.com.

This webinar was originally produced on Tuesday, July 9, 2019.

David Warren (Chairman of the Board/Co-Founder of Bridgeford Trust Company and President/CEO of Bridgeford Advisors), William Lipkind (Attorney, Partner, and Chair of Wilson Elser’s Tax Planning & Controversies practice), and Terry Prendergast (Of Counsel at Davenport, Evans, Hurwitz & Smith, LLP) presented this informative webinar discussing the Kaestner case and its practical implications with respect to state tax planning and the power of utilizing sophisticated modern trust law planning techniques, only available in top tier trust jurisdictions like South Dakota.

Given recent changes in the tax code, concerns around asset protection and privacy, and the huge influx of international families coming to the United States, selecting the proper U.S. trust jurisdiction in the planning process is more important now than ever.

This video goes over an objective and well-researched chart comparing the leading U.S. trust jurisdictions, with a particular emphasis on areas and planning nuances that distinguish South Dakota as the superior trust jurisdiction in the overall analysis.

You can view the chart here: www.bridgefordtrust.com/situs

Contact us to discuss this topic further at info@bridgefordtrust.com or by calling (605) 224-9189. You can also visit our website at www.bridgefordtrust.com.

This webinar entitled “Modern Trust Laws: Delivering Direction and Control” was originally produced on Wednesday, October 17, 2018.
David Warren, Chairman of the Board/Co-Founder of Bridgeford Trust Company and President/CEO of Bridgeford Advisors, highlighted how modern progressive trust laws, found only in a handful of states including South Dakota, have drastically changed how trusts are created and administered, delivering far more control and direction to settlors of trusts, beneficiaries, and their advisors than ever before.

The Insurance Premium Tax is a commonly missed state tax planning opportunity when utilizing insurance, particularly private placement insurance (PPLI). It is a tax that is levied upon insurers, both domestic and foreign, for the privilege of engaging in the business of providing insurance in the state. The tax is passed to consumers through the payment of insurance premiums and it varies dramatically among states. Significant tax savings can be realized by purchasing a policy within a trust sitused in a state with a low Insurance Premium Tax, such as South Dakota, which has the LOWEST Insurance Premium Tax in the nation.

Contact us to discuss this topic further at info@bridgefordtrust.com or by calling (605) 224-9189. You can also visit our website at www.bridgefordtrust.com.

An Incomplete Non-Grantor Trust (“ING”) is a powerful vehicle that potentially eliminates state income/capital gain tax while taking advantage of Domestic Asset Protection. It is an incomplete gift that never leaves the settlor’s estate which means there is no gift tax, and it has a Non-Grantor status, meaning the income is taxed at the trust level.

Contact us to discuss this topic further at info@bridgefordtrust.com or by calling (605) 224-9189. You can also visit our website at www.bridgefordtrust.com.

Common Reporting Standard (CRS) has had a tremendous impact on planning for both domestic and international families with asset protection and privacy concerns. Very similar to FATCA, CRS is a powerful tool that is designed to reduce tax evasion and illegal financial activity by imposing very strong transparency rules and disclosure requirements relative to financial transactions.

Watch this video to learn more about the similarities and differences of FATCA and CRS, and contact us to discuss this topic further at info@bridgefordtrust.com or by calling (605) 224-9189. You can also visit our website at www.bridgefordtrust.com.

For a myriad of reasons, including privacy and asset protection, wealthy families from around the world are seeking U.S. trust solutions. Because of the power and sophistication of its trust laws, international families are increasingly selecting South Dakota for trust situs of Foreign Grantor Trusts. Through appropriate planning and drafting, a South Dakota Foreign Grantor Trust may be established as a “foreign” trust for U.S. tax purposes and therefore treated the same as an offshore trust, while availing itself of powerful U.S. trust laws.

Contact us to discuss this topic further at info@bridgefordtrust.com or by calling (605) 224-9189. You can also visit our website at www.bridgefordtrust.com.

As the United States has become both a tax and privacy haven, wealthy families from around the world are seeking U.S. trust solutions. This webinar examined various worldwide factors for this historic movement of money into the United States, including FACTA, CRS, secrecy vs. privacy, and asset protection. This presentation considered and objectively compare U.S. trust jurisdictions, accentuating the vital importance of selecting the correct U.S. trust situs for international families. The presentation concluded with a discussion of various privacy, tax, and asset protection planning tools available to international families in the United States.

This webinar examined modern trust laws in the context of their impact on traditional notions of trust planning using irrevocable trusts. We specifically discussed control mechanisms now available to planners, settlors of the trusts, and beneficiaries such as the directed trust, trust protectors, the family advisor and decanting and their dramatic impact on trust planning and the trust industry overall.

A Dynasty Trust, not available in all states, is a powerful planning tool that essentially allows a trust to live in perpetuity (forever), therefore never subjecting the assets to federal estate taxation through a forced distribution. South Dakota continues to be ranked as the top Dynasty Trust state in the nation and was the first state in the nation to abolish the Rule Against Perpetuities in 1983, clearing the way for the creation of the Dynasty Trust.

Contact us to discuss this topic further at info@bridgefordtrust.com or by calling (605) 224-9189. You can also visit our website at www.bridgefordtrust.com.

The inclusion of a Trust Protector allows the settlor, beneficiaries, and their advisors to modify and control many important aspects of the trust and provide direction to the trustee with respect to investment management, jurisdiction, and trust distributions. Acting as a “super trustee,” the Trust Protector concept enhances the control aspects of the Directed Trust because it provides for direction or restraint of powers of the trustee.

Contact us to discuss this topic further at info@bridgefordtrust.com or by calling (605) 224-9189. You can also visit our website at www.bridgefordtrust.com.

Appropriately referred to as a “Trust Protector Light”, because of its non-fiduciary status and limited powers, the South Dakota Family Advisor is an excellent option for settlors of trusts and beneficiaries who may want family advisors, such as attorneys, CPAs, or investment advisors to have some control and input over important aspects of trust administration without elevating the position to that of a fiduciary, which carries with it heightened liability that may deter advisors from serving.

Contact us to discuss this topic further at info@bridgefordtrust.com or by calling (605) 224-9189. You can also visit our website at www.bridgefordtrust.com.

The concept of decanting has become a very powerful tool for planners to modify irrevocable trusts and has emerged as one of the most progressive planning strategies available in dealing with dynasty planning issues. Appropriately referred to as a “do over”, decanting essentially distributes assets from an irrevocable trust into a new trust with different, and presumably more desirable and flexible terms, leaving the unwanted terms in the original trust and not binding on the assets. Decanting is also a streamlined option for easily transferring a trust from one state jurisdiction to another more favorable jurisdiction, such as South Dakota, with directed and asset protection trust statutes.

Contact us to discuss this topic further at info@bridgefordtrust.com or by calling (605) 224-9189. You can also visit our website at www.bridgefordtrust.com.

Modern trust laws have changed how trusts are administered, created, and how they are now changeable in a way they never were before. Bridgeford Trust Company is now able to deliver far more control to the settlors, beneficiaries, and advisors of trusts.

Top tier trust jurisdictions, like South Dakota, now offer directed trusts, trust protectors, decanting and many more modern trust laws to deliver control into the hands of the settlors, beneficiaries, and advisors.

Contact us to discuss this topic further at info@bridgefordtrust.com or by calling (605) 224-9189. You can also visit our website at www.bridgefordtrust.com.

The race to become the best trust jurisdiction in the United States is a hot topic. There are four states that are often considering to have the top tier trust jurisdiction. The debate continues to rage between advisors, attorneys, and asset managers around the country.

Bridgeford Trust Company believes that South Dakota is the top choice for the best trust jurisdiction in the United States. There are a few areas in trust law where South Dakota is clearly the top choice for trust situs in America: Dynasty Trusts, State Income Taxation, Community Property Trusts, Privacy, Decanting, Special Purpose Entity, and the Insurance Premium Tax are a few of those categories.

Contact us to discuss this topic further at info@bridgefordtrust.com or by calling (605) 224-9189. You can also visit our website at www.bridgefordtrust.com.

The South Dakota Community Property Trust is a powerful new legislation in South Dakota for trust planners. South Dakota is one of a select few states that offers a Community Property Trust. A Community Property Trust comes into effect when a spouse passes away, or if a couple gets divorced. In this event the property/assets owned during the marriage must be distributed. In nine states, ownership is determined according to community property laws, which requires an initial classification as either community or separate.

In South Dakota, after the death of the first spouse there is a 100 percent step-up in basis at date of death, which allows settlors in South Dakota to avoid federal capital gains taxation of marital/trust assets when sold. Community Property Trusts have major tax implications as they have the potential to result in large amounts of federal and state tax savings.

Contact us to discuss this topic further at info@bridgefordtrust.com or by calling (605) 224-9189. You can also visit our website at www.bridgefordtrust.com.

During this webinar, special guest David Warren (President and CEO with Bridgeford Trust Company) gave a discussion on asset protection trusts. This very informative webinar considered asset protection in the context of trust planning, how to best utilize asset protection trusts, and examined the importance of selecting the proper trust jurisdiction for optimal protection and flexibility.

This webinar was hosted by David Warren, President and CEO with Bridgeford Trust Company along with Tyler Wenger, with McKonly & Asbury, and examined the resurgence of corporate trustees in the wealth planning process in the context of modern trust laws and situs selection.

This webinar focused on taxation of trusts among the states and discussed a developing trend in the case law that supports the fact that “resident trusts”, trusts established in a jurisdiction that does not tax retained income in trust, can no longer be taxed by the home state (the state where settlor or beneficiaries reside) and, to do so, violates the Commerce Clause of the United States Constitution. In light of this trend, and recent Private Letter Rulings issued by the IRS, specific planning strategies were discussed and analyzed.

South Dakota has the most private trust provisions in the world. In this video, Bridgeford Trust Company Co-Founder and Chairman, David Warren, highlights the importance of choosing the proper trust jurisdiction for privacy matters as it relates to trust planning.

Contact us to discuss this topic further at info@bridgefordtrust.com or by calling (605) 224-9189. You can also visit our website at www.bridgefordtrust.com.

South Dakota imposes no state taxation on trust assets (no state income, capital gains, dividend/interest, and/or intangible tax on assets held in trust). South Dakota imposes the lowest Insurance Premium Tax in the Country (8 basis points v. 200 basis points for Pennsylvania and Delaware). Tax laws vary from state to state.

Contact Bridgeford Trust for a specific analysis of how South Dakota law can benefit your situation at info@bridgefordtrust.com or by calling (605) 224-9189. You can also visit our website at www.bridgefordtrust.com.

The special purpose entity is a powerful planning tool because it places a liability umbrella over the individuals filling the roles of trust protector, investment committee, and/or distribution committee, therefore protecting them from personal claims connected to their actions in this capacity. Essentially, direction comes from a South Dakota entity and not from any one individual. Equally as important, the special purpose entity concept can be used to destroy nexus between in state trust protectors, investment committee members, and/or distribution committee members, therefore maintaining the jurisdictional integrity of a resident trust with situs in a progressive trust jurisdiction like South Dakota.

Contact us to discuss this topic further at info@bridgefordtrust.com or by calling (605) 224-9189. You can also visit our website at www.bridgefordtrust.com.

David Warren, Co-Founder and Chairman of Bridgeford Trust Company, talks about decanting and how this planning tool is changing and modernizing the trust world.

Contact us to discuss this topic further at info@bridgefordtrust.com or by calling (605) 224-9189. You can also visit our website at www.bridgefordtrust.com.

As an independent trust company with access to one of the most progressive trust jurisdictions in the nation, Bridgeford Trust Company has the ability, desire, and infrastructure to work with non-traditional assets in trusts.

Contact us to discuss our work with non-traditional assets at info@bridgefordtrust.com or by calling (605) 224-9189. You can also visit our website at www.bridgefordtrust.com.

Bridgeford Trust Company delivers far more direction and control to clients and their advisors than ever before because of South Dakota’s progressive and modern trust laws.

Listen in as David Warren, Co-Founder and Chairman of Bridgeford Trust Company, highlights specific topics and areas of law that render South Dakota a leading U.S. trust jurisdiction.

Contact us to discuss this topic further at info@bridgefordtrust.com or by calling (605) 224-9189. You can also visit our website at www.bridgefordtrust.com.

Domestic Asset Protection Trusts (DAPTs) – available only in a small number of states, including South Dakota – are a formidable planning strategy that legally shields assets from third-party liability (including spouses in a divorce proceeding) and lawsuits while permitting settlors (the person establishing the trust) to retain some control over the trust assets and enjoy a discretionary benefit during their lifetime.

Contact us to discuss this topic further at info@bridgefordtrust.com or by calling (605) 224-9189. You can also visit our website at www.bridgefordtrust.com.

Bridgeford Trust Company offers full corporate trustee services, diligently and professionally performing all trust administrative functions in accordance with governing documents and prevailing fiduciary standards.

Watch to learn more about our Trust Administration services and contact us to discuss this topic further at info@bridgefordtrust.com or by calling (605) 224-9189. You can also visit our website at www.bridgefordtrust.com.

Bridgeford Trust Company was built to provide family office services to our clients, training the next generation to understand the importance and responsibilities of wealth.

Contact us to discuss this topic further at info@bridgefordtrust.com or by calling (605) 224-9189. You can also visit our website at www.bridgefordtrust.com.

Directed Trusts, only available in a handful of states across the country including South Dakota, continue to drastically change the trust world through unbundling asset management and trust administration functions, putting control back into the hands of settlors, beneficiaries, and their advisors. Through bifurcating liability, the directed trust model creates a legal framework allowing trustees and beneficiaries to work with asset managers and independent trust companies of their choosing. This video explains how the directed trust concept works to empower settlors, beneficiaries, and their advisors while revolutionizing the trust and wealth management industry.

Contact us to discuss this topic further at info@bridgefordtrust.com or by calling (605) 224-9189. You can also visit our website at www.bridgefordtrust.com.

Trust planning and administration continues to be an essential component of wealth planning for affluent individuals and families, and collaboration with Bridgeford Trust Company allows asset managers, financial advisors, insurance professionals, and family offices to retain control over assets and remain the trusted advisor over multiple generations.

Contact us to discuss this topic further at info@bridgefordtrust.com or by calling (605) 224-9189. You can also visit our website at www.bridgefordtrust.com.

Does Trust Situs Matter? This video tackles the concept of the directed trust. As only one of a few states with a directed trust statute, South Dakota has excellent and industry leading directed trust provisions allowing trustees to work with outside investment managers and non-traditional assets in trust.

Contact us to discuss this topic further at info@bridgefordtrust.com or by calling (605) 224-9189. You can also visit our website at www.bridgefordtrust.com.

Does Trust Situs Matter? This five minute video considers top-tier U.S. trust jurisdictions and discusses the objective factors that render some states better than others in the wealth planning process. The discussion also considers the quickly evolving trust arena with a particular emphasis on asset protection trusts and privacy issues.

Contact us to discuss this topic further at info@bridgefordtrust.com or by calling (605) 224-9189. You can also visit our website at www.bridgefordtrust.com.