Asset Protection Counsel Since 1991
Cook Islands Trust Attorney
Attorneys Jon Alper and Gideon Alper advise clients nationwide on Cook Islands trusts and offshore LLCs. We personally guide each client through the trustee application, due diligence process, document drafting, and trust funding.
Contact us to request a confidential consultation. We will evaluate your assets, creditor exposure, and domestic alternatives to determine whether a Cook Islands trust is an appropriate tool for your situation.
A Cook Islands trust is one of the strongest asset protection tools available. It is administered by an independent trustee company in the Cook Islands, outside the direct authority of U.S. courts. A U.S. court can issue orders against a U.S. person, but not a Cook Islands trustee company or trust assets that have been moved offshore. That distinction is what sets a Cook Islands trust apart from a domestic asset protection trust.
What Happens After You Contact Us
Our attorneys will review your information and send you pricing and timeline details, along with a scheduling link for a free confidential consultation.
We will discuss your specific situation, the timing of any creditor issues, trustee due diligence, and whether offshore planning makes sense for you.
Cost and Attorney Fees
Flat fees. No hourly billing. No annual legal retainer.
Legal fees include attorney consultations, trust agreement drafting, trustee coordination, due-diligence preparation, funding strategy guidance, and IRS compliance guidance. Most clients do not need ongoing legal services after formation.
About Our Firm
Alper Law has helped clients nationwide with asset protection planning since 1991. Jon Alper and Gideon Alper work with every client directly. Our role is to evaluate the legal fit of the structure, explain the tradeoffs, and coordinate the plan if offshore planning makes sense.
Who Should Consider an Offshore Trust
An offshore trust is best suited for clients with meaningful assets, creditor exposure, and a need for protection beyond domestic exemptions, insurance, and LLCs. Most clients have at least $1 million in total assets or at least $500,000 in liquid assets.
A pending legal claim or existing judgment does not automatically rule out offshore planning.
Common client situations
- Business owners and entrepreneurs
- Physicians and high-liability professionals
- Real estate investors and guarantors
- Families with concentrated assets
- Clients facing serious creditor risk, including existing disputes where planning remains legally available
When a Cook Islands trust is not appropriate
- The cost is disproportionate to the assets protected
- Domestic planning already provides enough protection
- The client wants to conceal assets or avoid legal obligations
- The goal is to reduce tax liability
- The client expects the trust to eliminate all court risk
Questions About Offshore Trust Planning
Can a Cook Islands trust be used after a lawsuit starts?
Yes. Post-claim planning is still possible even after a lawsuit is filed or a judgment is entered. The available options depend on the claim, timing, assets involved, existing exemptions, and how the trust would be funded.
How much does the trust cost?
The total cost is $20,000 for a Cook Islands trust, or $25,000 for a Cook Islands trust paired with an offshore LLC. Annual trustee administration after the first year is $5,000.
Is the trust a tax shelter?
No. A Cook Islands trust is designed for creditor protection. U.S. clients must report trust assets and income under applicable U.S. tax and information-reporting rules.
Do I have to give up control of my assets?
The trust is administered by an independent Cook Islands trustee company. When there is no legal threat, you have practical access and planning flexibility. When creditor pressure arises, the trustee can refuse to distribute assets, placing them beyond the court’s reach.
Our Attorneys
Our attorneys specialize in offshore asset protection planning.
Jon Alper
Founding PartnerJon Alper has focused on asset protection planning for more than three decades. His work includes domestic and offshore planning for business owners, professionals, and families seeking creditor protection. He was involved in BankFirst v. UBS Paine Webber, Inc., a significant Florida asset protection case.
Gideon Alper
PartnerGideon Alper leads the firm’s offshore planning practice. He is a former attorney with the IRS Office of Chief Counsel in the Large Business and International Division. He advises clients on Cook Islands trusts, offshore LLCs, asset protection planning, and IRS compliance.