Pros and Cons of Cook Islands Trusts

What Is a Cook Islands Trust?

A Cook Islands trust allows people to protect their assets by moving them outside of U.S. jurisdiction under the control of a foreign trustee.

A Cook Islands trust can protect bank accounts, investments, business interests, real estate, and other types of assets. It prevents seizure by creditors and ex-spouses. It also provides leverage in settlement negotiations.

How a Cook Islands Trust Works

The Cook Islands have the strongest asset protection trust laws in the world. Creditors must prove fraudulent transfer beyond a high legal standard and file claims within a short statute of limitations.

A Cook Islands trust must have a trustee based in the Cook Islands. These trustees are licensed and regulated by the Cook Islands government under strict legal standards. The trustee is responsible for administering the trust and managing its assets, but they have no personal claim to the trust property.

A key feature of a Cook Islands asset protection trust is the involvement of independent third parties, including trustees, trust advisers, and trust protectors. While the trustee manages the assets, a trust protector can hold the authority to replace the trustee, adjust beneficial interests, or oversee investment decisions. Advisors, who may be either foreign or U.S. persons, can also be appointed to guide the trust’s investment strategy.

A Cook Islands trust protects a U.S. debtor’s assets from U.S. civil judgments by placing both the assets and the trustee beyond the jurisdiction of U.S. courts. Since the trustee is based offshore, U.S. judges cannot order the trustee to act on or access the trust’s assets. As a result, creditors cannot use legal methods to seize or interfere with the assets held in a Cook Islands trust.

To levy assets within a Cook Islands trust, a U.S. judgment creditor would need to re-litigate the original U.S. case in the Cook Islands courts and secure a new judgment there. This process is challenging, costly, and rarely pursued by creditors.

2025 Update

As of 2025, the Cook Islands remains the premier jurisdiction to form an offshore trust for U.S. residents. Unlike other countries such as Belize and the Cayman Islands, the Cook Islands have the longest history of protection and breadth of case law in favor of trust protection. There has not been any new legislation in the Cook Islands that would diminish its offshore trust protection.

Cook Islands Trust Advantages

1. Short statute of limitations.

Transfers into a Cook Islands trust made more than two years after a creditor’s cause of action has accrued are fully protected.

2. Creditor must file within two years.

A creditor must file a lawsuit within one year from the time the cause of action accrues if the assets are transferred into the trust within two years from the date the cause of action accrues.

3. Fraudulent transfer claims cannot be brought in the U.S.

Fraudulent transfer claims cannot be brought in the U.S. The creditor must file the action into the Cook Islands, which is very expensive and burdensome for a U.S. creditor.

4. It is difficult for the creditor to break into the trust.

Even if a creditor can bring a fraudulent transfer claim, it is difficult to succeed. They must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the transfer was made with the intent to defraud that particular creditor and that the transfer left the debtor insolvent.

The Cook Islands is considered the best place to set up an offshore trust. As one of the original countries with favorable offshore trust laws, the Cook Islands have a long history of court decisions upholding the protection afforded by its trusts.

How to Set Up a Cook Islands Trust

To set up a Cook Islands trust, you must (1) choose a trust company licensed in the Cook Islands, (2) complete a due diligence background check, (3) sign the trust agreement, and (4) fund the trust. You can open financial accounts in the name of the trust once the trust is established.

Choosing the trustee is the most important step. The Cook Islands have laws that ensure that trust companies are licensed and insured by reputable insurance companies.

How Much Does a Cook Islands Trust Cost?

A Cook Islands trust costs about $20,000, which includes a legal fee of $15,000 and a trustee fee of $3,700. The cost of the trust is higher when adding complex features to the trust. Annual maintenance fees range from $3,000 to $4,000.

The most important factors that influence the cost of setting up a Cook Islands trust are:

• Trust Setup Fees. The initial costs charged by the trustee company to establish the trust structure.
• Trustee Annual Fees. Ongoing fees paid to the trustee company to serve as trustee.
• Legal and Fees. The initial cost for the U.S. attorney to help set up the trust and draft the trust document.
• Asset Transfers. Expenses related to transferring assets into the trust, including LLCs, financial accounts, and real estate.
• Compliance and Reporting: Fees for meeting regulatory and reporting requirements in the U.S.

History of Cook Islands Trusts

The Cook Islands were the first jurisdiction that enacted favorable trust laws enabling U.S. residents to protect assets. When the Cook Islands enacted the International Trusts Amendment Act of 1989, it became the premier offshore trust jurisdiction.

Since then, other jurisdictions, such as Nevis, Belize, and the Bahamas, have enacted similar statutes.

The law affords the utmost asset protection while maintaining flexibility and privacy for U.S. trust-makers. Cook Islands trust companies are reputable, experienced, and thoroughly competent.

Structure of a Cook Islands Trust

The basic structure of a Cook Islands trust involves three parties:

1. The Settlor. The settlor of an offshore trust establishes the trust by transferring assets to it.
2. The Trustee. The trustee of a Cook Islands trust is is a person or corporation located in the Cook Islands that holds and manages the trust assets according to the terms of the trust deed. They have a legal duty to act in the best interests of the beneficiaries.
3. The Beneficiaries. The beneficiary of a Cook Islands trust is the individual or entities that benefit from the trust, as determined by the settlor. Most often, the settlor is the primary or only beneficiary.

Should the settlor find themselves under legal duress from a domestic creditor, the trustee of the Cook Islands trust would withhold distributions until the trustee is satisfied that any distribution made would not benefit the creditor.

How Are Cook Islands Trusts Taxed?

The Cook Islands themselves do not impose a tax on offshore trusts. No income tax, capital gains tax, or estate duty is applicable to an offshore trust, provided that neither the settlor nor the beneficiaries are residents of the Cook Islands.

In the U.S., a Cook Islands trust is tax-neutral. It is taxed as a grantor trust and should flow through to the grantor’s personal U.S. tax return.

Cook Islands Trust Bank Accounts

Typically, you will set up an offshore bank account immediately after forming a Cook Islands trust. This bank account is the primary mechanism through which the trust’s assets are managed. Once the trust is established, the assets transferred into it, including the money in the associated bank account, are legally owned and managed by the trustee of the Cook Islands trust.

The bank account is often opened in the same jurisdiction as the trust, but it is also possible to establish a bank account in another jurisdiction. The choice depends on your specific needs.

Setting up a bank account for an offshore trust is not as straightforward as opening a personal bank account. Banks are subject to stringent international regulations regarding money laundering and financial crimes. They must perform rigorous due diligence before accepting business from offshore entities, including Cook Islands trusts.

No matter where they are located, international banks will require detailed information about the trust, source of funds, and the settlor and beneficiaries.

Cook Islands Trusts vs. Domestic Asset Protection Trusts

A domestic asset protection trust (DAPT) is created under the laws of certain U.S. states to shield assets from creditors. While these trusts can offer some protection, they remain subject to U.S. court orders. That means a judgment creditor can potentially convince a local judge to disregard the trust and allow collection. Courts have been inconsistent in upholding DAPTs, especially when the trust creator resides in a state that doesn’t authorize them.

In contrast, a Cook Islands trust is governed entirely by the laws of a foreign country. U.S. court orders have no effect in the Cook Islands, and any creditor would need to start a new lawsuit in a legal system designed to favor asset protection. For clients with significant risk, the offshore trust is the more secure option. A Cook Islands trust provides stronger barriers, faster expiration of claims, and a jurisdiction that is set up to thwart creditor actions.

Do Cook Islands Trusts Have IRS Reporting Requirements?

Yes. While Cook Islands trusts are legal for U.S. citizens, they come with strict IRS reporting obligations. The IRS requires U.S. taxpayers to file Form 3520 and Form 3520-A each year if they create or are a beneficiary of a foreign trust. These forms disclose the trust’s existence, structure, income, and distributions.

Failure to comply can result in steep penalties. Offshore trusts also require careful coordination with income tax reporting and may require disclosures of foreign bank accounts through FBAR or FATCA regulations.

Can a Cook Islands Trust Be Broken?

Very few creditors have ever succeeded in collecting from a Cook Islands trust. The trust’s greatest strength is that the Cook Islands legal system does not recognize U.S. court judgments. That forces any creditor to start a new lawsuit in a foreign country with strict asset protection laws and short statutes of limitations.

To succeed, the creditor must prove the trust was funded with intent to defraud a specific creditor and that the claim falls within a narrow legal window. Even then, the trust law requires proof “beyond a reasonable doubt”—a much higher standard than typical civil lawsuits. In practice, the cost, time, and legal difficulty involved make it nearly impossible for creditors to break through a properly structured Cook Islands trust.

Fraudulent Transfers

The Cook Islands has a debtor-friendly fraudulent transfer law. They makes it very difficult for a creditor to successfully prosecute a fraudulent transfer claim.

Cook Islands law puts the burden of proof on the creditor to demonstrate beyond a reasonable doubt (the highest standard of proof) that the settlor transferred assets into the trust with the explicit intent to defraud that specific creditor.

Moreover, the claim must be brought within a specified time frame, typically within two years of the alleged fraudulent transfer. This is a far more protective stance than many other jurisdictions, which may use a lower standard of proof and allow claims to be brought for a longer period after the transfer.

FAQs About Cook Islands Trusts

What is a Cook Islands trust?

A Cook Islands trust is a legal structure formed under the laws of the Cook Islands to protect assets from future creditors. It is widely regarded as one of the strongest offshore strategies available because it safely removes your assets from U.S. jurisdiction.

How does a Cook Islands trust protect assets?

The Cook Islands does not recognize foreign court judgments. That means even if a U.S. creditor wins a lawsuit, they must start over in the Cook Islands courts, where legal hurdles and short statutes of limitation make collection extremely difficult.

Do you give up control of my assets with a Cook Islands trust?

You do not give up access, but you do give up legal control and ownership. Assets are transferred to a trustee company in the Cook Islands, which then has a fiduciary duty to hold and use the assets for your benefit.

When should you set up a Cook Islands trust?

A Cook Islands trust is most effective when created before a creditor threat arises. However, it can still be formed after a lawsuit is filed or a judgment is entered.

What assets can go into a Cook Islands trust?

A Cook Islands trust can hold a wide range of assets, including cash, brokerage accounts, LLC interests, and even cryptocurrency. Real estate is typically transferred indirectly through U.S. holding entities.

Is a Cook Islands trust legal for U.S. citizens?

Yes. U.S. citizens are allowed to create offshore trusts. These trusts must comply with IRS reporting requirements and be formed for legitimate planning purposes, not to evade taxes.

How much does a Cook Islands trust cost?

Establishing a Cook Islands trust involves legal fees, trustee setup costs, and annual maintenance fees. The total initial cost ranges from $20,000 to $30,000 depending on complexity and structure.

What is a “duress clause” in a Cook Islands trust?

A duress clause prevents a trustee from complying with any instructions made under legal compulsion. If a U.S. court orders you to tell the trustee to release funds, the trustee is legally bound to ignore your instructions.

Can a Cook Islands trust be used with a U.S. LLC?

Yes. A common structure is to place a U.S.-based LLC inside the trust when the U.S. LLC owns real property.

How long does it take to establish a Cook Islands trust?

It takes 2-4 weeks to establish a Cook Islands trust.

Is a Cook Islands Trust Worth It?

A Cook Islands trust can be extremely worthwhile for those seeking a high level of asset protection. A Cook Islands trust structure effectively shelters trust assets from future creditors, claims from a divorced spouse, and other legal judgments.