What it is
Offshore & Trusts is the disciplined use of international trusts and holding companies to organize, preserve, and transfer wealth across borders—combining substance, governance, and compliance. At Melleh Law, we design structures that align family objectives with regulatory requirements, so assets are safeguarded and succession is predictable without creating reporting or tax surprises.

A tailored, substance-driven approach
There is no one-size-fits-all jurisdiction or trust type. We start with your goals, asset mix, family dynamics, and countries involved, then select the right jurisdiction, vehicle, and fiduciary model (trustee, protector, investment oversight). We emphasize real substance—decision-making, records, and banking that match the structure—together with clear reporting workflows (e.g., FATCA/FBAR/Forms 3520/3520-A/8938 for U.S. persons) and KYC/AML readiness.

Who we serve

• International families and family offices coordinating assets in multiple countries

• Entrepreneurs and executives with equity, options, and cross-border compensation

• Real-estate and private-market investors seeking stewardship and ring-fencing

• Pre-immigration clients and expatriates who need treaty and situs alignment

What we deliver

• A practical architecture to protect, structure, and transfer assets across jurisdictions

• Fully drafted instruments (trust deeds, letters of wishes, holding-company charters) and a governance kit (signing authorities, minutes, distribution and investment policies)

• A reporting map & calendar (who files what, where, and when), coordinated with CPAs, trustees, custodians, and banks

• Ongoing oversight and updates as laws or family circumstances change

Typical strategies we may employ

• Foreign trusts (discretionary, grantor/non-grantor) with clearly defined roles for trustee, protector, and investment advisor

• Private Trust Companies (PTCs) or corporate trustees where control and continuity are priorities

• International holding companies to consolidate portfolio assets and segregate operating risk

• Charitable vehicles (foundations, DAFs, charitable trusts) for legacy and tax-efficient giving

• Pre-immigration planning to align asset situs, step-ups, and reporting before a move to the U.S.

• Banking & custody setup with source-of-funds documentation and onboarding packages

Family businesses
For closely held groups, we integrate family governance with corporate governance: voting/economic rights, shareholder agreements, and succession mechanics that allow orderly transitions while protecting operating entities and personal wealth.

Our process

1. Scoping & mapping — assets, entities, jurisdictions, beneficiaries, fiduciaries, objectives

2. Design — jurisdiction selection, trust/holding charts, governance documents, reporting plan

3. Implementation — incorporations, trust establishment, bank/custody onboarding, funding and retitling

4. Maintenance — trustee meetings, accounting, filings (e.g., FATCA/FBAR/3520/3520-A/8938 where applicable), periodic reviews

This overview is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Outcomes depend on your facts and the laws/regulations in each relevant jurisdiction.