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. Held on May 14, 2025, the event brought together professionals from across the financial services industry for a full day of education and collaboration.
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 trust jurisdictions like South Dakota, clients and their advisors can achieve direction and control in their planning, even in unsettled times.
If you weren’t able to attend, we’re pleased to share the full recording of David’s presentation, also available on our YouTube Channel.
An In-Depth Look at Dynasty Trusts, Asset Protection Trusts, and Other Modern Trust Laws
David’s session explored how progressive statutes, available only in top-tier jurisdictions like South Dakota, empower families and their advisors with innovative trust solutions that enhance trust planning and administration, including:
- Dynasty Trusts that preserve family wealth over generations because South Dakota allows trusts to continue in perpetuity, avoiding federal taxation on trust assets across multiple generations.
- Domestic Asset Protection Trusts that shield assets from third-party liability and lawsuits while allowing settlors to retain some control over trust assets and enjoy a discretionary benefit during their lifetime.
- Privacy Trust Laws that are considered the best in the United States, offering unmatched confidentiality through provisions like quiet trust statutes and a total seal forbidding the release of trust information forever.
- Directed Trusts which offer trustees and beneficiaries the ability to work with asset managers and independent trust companies of their choosing by unbundling asset management and trust administration functions.
- Trust Protector and Family Advisor roles allowing the settlor, beneficiaries, and their advisors to modify and control many important aspects of the trust, including an option for family advisors to have some control and provide input without elevating the position to that of a fiduciary.
- Decanting allowing the distribution of assets from an irrevocable trust into a new trust with more desirable and flexible provisions and without requiring court intervention.
- Situs Selection and Fiduciary Duty emphasizing the importance of choosing the best trust jurisdiction and the potential fiduciary responsibility for advisors to consider moving trusts to a more favorable jurisdiction.
As you watch the full presentation and explore how these modern trust laws can deliver direction and control for families and their advisors, reach out to us with any questions or for more information via our contact form or call us at (605) 224-9189.
