What can I use an Offshore Asset Protection Trust for?
An Offshore Asset Protection Trust:
Is an effective tool to settle or discourage litigation
Allows you to keep the ownership of assets confidential
Is an alternative to pre-nuptial agreements
Is a hedge against potential exchange controls
Is a device to protect otherwise unprotectable pension assets
Is a means to give an insolvent debtor a fresh start
Is a way to internationalize investment
Is a way to hedge against governmental instability
Question: Do I have to give up control over my assets with an OAPT?
Answer: Look at it this way: Do you give up control when you let a pilot or good cab driver take you where
you want to go in a strange country? Not really. The professional will probably get you to your destination
faster and safer than you could do it your self. If you are unhappy you can change drivers (trustees) at any
time. An OAPT. which you can call "The Your Name Trust" is run by you. You call the shots. Only legal
title is in the name of "Your Name Trust". There is a foreign person who is in nominal control (your pilot),
but he does exactly what you want.
Question: Are the assets physically in the country where the trust is established?
Answer: Normally not. You can have a Panama trustee with a bank account in Switzerland or Singapore. You can
have access to that bank account anywhere in the world with an ATM (automatic teller machine) card. Securities
or mutual funds may have assets all over the world and be quoted in daily papers.
Question: How can I find out my net worth and check on the performance of my assets?
Answer: You can do this by fax or telephone. Conventional regular statements can be mailed or faxed, but
if you are on the Internet, The Firm of Marc Harris, is able to provide encrypted, strictly private instant
statements, upon demand.
Question: If there are political problems in the country of the trust, does this affect me?
Answer: Not at all, The Swiss moved all their gold holdings and bearer securities to New York City when there
was a Nazi invasion threat. The Firm of Marc Harris and the bulk of their 250 employees are currently in Panama.
Most investment securities are now held as book entries in clearing houses. These are at major business centers
like London, Zurich, Singapore. At the first sign of problems in Panama, all functions of M. Harris could be
easily transferred to existing facilities in a dozen other countries. The customer would never be affected by
such changes as e-mail facilities and telephone lines would be electronically adjusted. However, insofar as
investment banking and shop-registry functions, Panama has a hundred year history of stability as a leading
offshore banking center. In spite of the USA invasion a few years ago, normal business functions continued and
most local property damage was reimbursed by the Americans.
Question: Can I invest in any stocks, property or other assets that I choose?
Answer: Yes, but it is best for you to start with a small discretionary account owned by your OAPT.
Once you get the hang of using your OAPT, you should have a personal meeting with your account executive
to go over your objectives. You can visit us at the office abroad that is most convenient for you, or
communications can be handled in many other ways.
Question: Is everything you do legal?
Answer: Yes. We have a large staff of lawyers who keep us in compliance with all laws of all the jurisdictions
where we operate. We can also put you in touch with our own in-house lawyers and certified public accountants
that are licensed in your home country for tax planning and other advice. We can also prepare and certify your
financial statements, income tax and other returns. Naturally, these services are billed to you at a cost, which
will usually be considerably less than the cost of similar services stateside.
Question: Do I have to use your people for any or all of the services you offer?
Answer: No. You have the right to choose what services, if any, you use in connection with your OAPT.
Question: What are the reporting requirements for an OAPT?
Answer: Certain forms need to be filled out and filed. We provide you with these filled out forms. It is your
sole responsibility to file them if you choose to do so. Our firm, unless requested by you to do so in writing,
reports nothing about your account to anyone.
Question: What is the status on this product?
Answer: We are currently negotiating with two companies on this product.
Question: What is the cost of this product?
Answer: Price is Currently in Negotiation. Our best guess is the product will be priced between $1,000 to $1,500
