Cost to Set Up a Cook Islands Trust

How Much Does a Cook Islands Trust Cost?

The cost to set up a Cook Islands trust ranges between $15,000 to $25,000, with ongoing annual fees typically between $3,500 to $6,000 for trustee services and legal management. The exact amount depends on the complexity of the trust and the professional services required.

Initial Setup Costs

The upfront cost to establish a Cook Islands trust depends on the complexity of the trust and the legal expertise required. The initial fees typically range from $15,000 to $25,000. This cost covers the following:

• Drafting trust documents tailored to your specific needs.
• Establishing the offshore structure, which may include creating a Nevis LLC or Cook Islands LLC.
• Consultation fees with asset protection attorneys.

Higher complexity—such as the need for multiple layers of legal entities or customized terms for managing trust assets—will result in higher costs.

Total cost of ownership analysis

Year one costs

	Low Estimate	High Estimate
Attorney fees	$12,500	$50,000
Trustee setup + year 1	$3,500	$5,000
LLC formation (Nevis or Cook Islands)	$1,200	$5,000
Bank account setup	$1,000	$10,000
Asset transfer costs	$1,000	$10,000
Year 1 Total	$19,200	$80,000

Cost to Maintain a Cook Islands Trust

Once the trust is established, you must pay annual fees to maintain the trust. The Cook Islands requires that a licensed trustee oversee the trust’s management. Trustee fees range from $3,500 to $6,000 per year, depending on the level of administration required. These fees cover the day-to-day management of the trust assets and compliance with Cook Islands regulations.

The trustee will charge hourly for any additional administrative or legal work.

Ongoing Legal and Accounting Costs

Once the trust is established, your legal fees with a domestic asset protection attorney should be minimal. However, if you are sued or face a civil judgment, the U.S. attorney can help ensure that distributions from the Cook Islands trust remain protected from creditors. This will add to the overall cost of maintaining the Cook Islands trust.

You will also need to pay a small amount annually to an accountant to keep up with IRS reporting requirements.

Ongoing annual costs (year 2+)

	Low Estimate	High Estimate
Trustee annual fee	$3,300	$10,000
LLC annual renewal	$900	$1,500
Attorney annual retainer	$0	$3,500
Tax compliance (CPA)	$600	$4,500
Bank maintenance	$300	$1,500
Wire transfers (4–6/year)	$200	$1,000
Miscellaneous administrative	$200	$1,000
Annual Total	$5,500	$14,000

Is the Cost Worth It?

While the price tag of establishing a Cook Islands trust may seem significant, the protection it offers can outweigh the cost, especially for high-net-worth individuals or those in professions with heightened legal risk.

Assets placed in a Cook Islands trust are largely shielded from U.S. court judgments and are nearly impossible for creditors to seize without going through Cook Islands legal proceedings—something that is extremely difficult and expensive for a creditor to attempt.