International trust planning has become a prominent focus for advisors as global families navigate an increasingly complex cross-border environment. Citizenship, residency, business interests, and beneficiaries often span multiple jurisdictions, each with its own legal, tax, and regulatory considerations. As a result, families and advisors must consider how both domestic and foreign trusts are structured not only to achieve objectives, but to function reliably across borders over time.

As global families’ personal, financial, and geographic ties become more interconnected, cross-border considerations increasingly arise in trust discussions, including:

• Families with U.S. and non-U.S. beneficiaries
• Pre-immigration and mobility-driven planning
• Offshore assets held alongside U.S. investments
• Multigenerational families with ties to multiple jurisdictions

As these scenarios become more common, advisors are increasingly focused on trust solutions that offer flexibility and stability.

Foreign Grantor Trusts

One structure frequently used in international planning is the Foreign Grantor Trust (FGT). For U.S. tax purposes, a trust’s classification as “foreign” depends on satisfying both the court test and the control test as defined by the Internal Revenue Service. When properly structured, a South Dakota Foreign Grantor Trust may be treated as a foreign trust for U.S. tax purposes while remaining a U.S. trust from a legal and administrative standpoint.

This distinction plays an important role for international families, including foreign-born individuals living in the U.S., foreign persons holding U.S. assets, and families addressing repatriation, reporting, taxation, or privacy concerns. The ability to combine offshore-equivalent tax treatment with the stability and clarity of U.S. trust administration can be a compelling planning tool.

At the same time, maintaining the intended status of a Foreign Grantor Trust requires more than thoughtful drafting. Long-term success depends on disciplined fiduciary processes, consistent administration, and a clear understanding of both U.S. tax requirements and the legal framework governing the trust.

Domestic and Offshore Asset Protection

International families often face a choice between domestic and offshore asset protection, but effective asset protection strategies frequently incorporate elements of both. Domestic trust jurisdictions with progressive modern trust laws can offer stability, strong governance frameworks, and predictable fiduciary oversight. Offshore structures may also play a role in certain asset protection or international planning scenarios.

South Dakota law provides a framework that allows domestic and offshore asset protection strategies to be integrated within a single trust instrument. This approach allows families and their advisors to preserve the benefits of U.S.-based administration while maintaining access to offshore protections when needed. For international families navigating an evolving regulatory and transparency landscape, coordinated asset protection strategies offer a way to balance flexibility with control and long-term reliability.

Bridgeford Global: A Deliberate Approach to International Planning

At Bridgeford, international trust planning has continued to grow as advisors and families seek fiduciary partners with experience navigating both the technical and practical realities of cross-border structures. That growth has been driven by client needs and by the recognition that international trust work requires dedicated focus, specialized expertise, and consistent execution over time.

Bridgeford Global was established to support this expanding international footprint and the evolving needs of global families with cross-border trust structures. Operating as the worldwide planning entity within the Bridgeford family of companies, Bridgeford Global promotes the power of U.S. modern trust law, and South Dakota-based fiduciary solutions in particular, through its sister company, Bridgeford Trust Company. The team brings together professionals with experience in foreign trust administration, governance, and coordination, helping ensure that these structures are implemented thoughtfully and administered in a manner consistent with their long-term objectives.

For additional insight into the advantages of South Dakota trust law—including asset protection, privacy, directed trusts, and more—explore our educational brochure, which provides a deeper overview of important modern trust law concepts for international families and their advisors.

If you have questions about foreign trust structures, domestic and offshore asset protection, or Bridgeford’s approach to international trust planning, please reach out to us via our contact form or call us at (605) 224-9189.

Bridgeford Trust Company, in collaboration with the Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce and Trusted Advisor, invites you to Women Shaping Business Today: Perspectives That Matter, an evening dedicated to celebrating and lifting up women in business.

This event will feature a moderated panel discussion with accomplished women leaders from across the legal, public, and nonprofit sectors. Panelists will share candid insights on leadership, career growth, and challenges in today’s workplace, along with the paths they have navigated to lead with impact and resilience.

Featured Panelists

• Lisa Neal, Partner at Rutan & Tucker
• Charlene Reynolds, Airport Director at John Wayne Airport
• Annette Walker, President of City of Hope Orange County

Together, these leaders bring diverse perspectives shaped by decades of experience leading complex organizations, navigating evolving professional landscapes, and driving meaningful impact within their fields.

Following the discussion, guests are invited to continue the conversation during a networking reception with drinks and hors d’oeuvres.

Event Details

Date & Time: Thursday, March 19, 2026 at 5:30 PM
Location: Lido House – 3300 Newport Blvd., Newport Beach, CA 92660
Registration is now open! RSVP by clicking here.

Whether you are an established professional, an emerging leader, or committed to supporting women in business, this evening offers a thoughtful and engaging opportunity to learn, connect, and be inspired.

We hope you’ll join us for this exciting evening in Newport Beach! If you have any questions, please contact info@bridgefordtrust.com.

Episode 54 is now available on Bridgeford Trust Company’s Delivering Direction and Control podcast!

In this episode, David Warren – Co-Founder & Chairman of Bridgeford Trust Company – sits down with Yaasha Sabba – Chief Counsel at Sky Unlimited Law and a nationally recognized Personal Family Lawyer® – to explore Wealth 3.0: a more modern, integrated approach to planning that goes far beyond legal documents.

Yaasha shares the pivotal client story that shifted his career from patent law to estate and legacy planning, and why “having a trust” is not the same as having a plan that actually works. Together, David and Yaasha unpack the real-world consequences of poorly implemented planning, especially for founders and families building wealth in fast-moving environments where a disruption can derail everything.

The conversation also explores the practical realities of planning in today’s climate, including why privacy starts with foundational estate planning, how Wealth 3.0 shifts the focus from documents to education, organization, and decision-making, and why modern trust planning has become increasingly critical for families and founders navigating uncertainty.

You can listen to our latest episode on Bridgeford’s podcast page, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio, Spotify, and SoundCloud—or watch it on our YouTube channel.

Bridgeford Trust Company’s Delivering Direction and Control podcast was developed to educate, challenge, and inspire listeners. As we interview experts in the trust planning arena, we keep listeners updated on developments regarding modern trust law and provide practical discussion on the powerful trust planning opportunities available to advisors around the country and the world—all in an effort to deliver far more direction and control to clients and their advisors than ever before. Check out all of our episodes here: bridgefordtrust.com/podcasts.

If you have questions on any of the topics discussed in this latest episode, don’t hesitate to reach out to us via our contact form or call us at (605) 224-9189.

Bridgeford Trust Company is proud to announce the launch of Bridgeford Bay Area, a new office established by our sister company, Bridgeford Advisors (dba Bridgeford), a trust planning advisory firm serving families across the United States and around the world. By bringing the power of South Dakota-based fiduciary planning to families and their advisors nationwide, this expansion marks another important milestone in Bridgeford’s continued growth as we expand our national footprint and deepen our presence in key markets across the country. We look forward to celebrating this expansion with a Bay Area launch event on February 12; registration details are included below.

Located at 149 Commonwealth Drive, Suite 1090, Menlo Park, California, Bridgeford’s Bay Area office strengthens our ability to work closely with families and their advisors throughout Northern California and the broader West Coast. The Bay Area has long been a center of innovation, entrepreneurship, and multigenerational wealth, making it a natural extension of Bridgeford’s long-standing work with sophisticated families navigating complex planning needs.

This expansion builds on the successful launches of Bridgeford’s offices in Miami, Newport Beach, and Philadelphia, reflecting the growing demand for independent and strategic trust planning. As families navigate increasing complexity driven by tax uncertainty, regulatory change, and global considerations, Bridgeford’s expanded footprint allows for closer collaboration with families and their advisors across key regions.

David Warren, Co-Founder and Chairman of Bridgeford Trust Company and President and CEO of Bridgeford Advisors, shared the following perspective on Bridgeford’s most recent expansion: “Fiercely independent and conflict-free, Bridgeford’s expansion into Northern California is a natural evolution following the great success of our Southern California office working with families and their advisors. The power of modern trust law continues to resonate with California residents and their advisors across the state, particularly in the areas of state and federal tax planning, asset protection, and privacy.”

Bridgeford Bay Area Launch Event: February 12

Join us as we celebrate the launch of Bridgeford’s new office with an evening that will feature a timely discussion on the power of trust jurisdiction selection—particularly around asset protection, privacy, and tax planning—along with time to connect with members of the Bridgeford team and fellow professionals over cocktails and hors d’oeuvres.

Date & Time: Thursday, February 12, 2026 at 5:00pm PST
Location: Hotel Nia – 200 Independence Drive, Menlo Park, CA 94025
Registration: Space is limited so please register early by clicking here.

For more information about Bridgeford’s expansion into the Bay Area, or to connect with our team, please contact us via our contact page or by calling (605) 224-9189.

Bridgeford recently hosted a livestream exploring the theme of Protecting Families of Wealth from Themselves, a concept central to effective multigenerational planning and inspired by HBO’s series Succession.

The presentation examined the real-world parallels between the fictional Roy family and the complex dynamics many families of wealth face today, including issues surrounding control, succession, and legacy. While the series itself is fictional, the risks it highlights are very real, and without strategic trust planning, wealth can quickly become a source of conflict rather than continuity.

For those who were unable to attend live, or who would like to revisit the discussion, the full video presentation is now available on our YouTube Channel.

Key Themes from the Presentation

During the presentation, David Warren, Co-Founder & Chairman of Bridgeford Trust Company, walked through how modern trust law—particularly South Dakota’s progressive statutes—can be used to address challenges that frequently arise in affluent families. The discussion focused on how intentional planning can help families preserve wealth, maintain control, and support long-term stability across generations.

Topics included:

• Dynasty Trusts: The cornerstone of multigenerational wealth preservation, empowering families to avoid estate taxation and establish enduring legacies.
• Privacy and Confidentiality: How privacy laws like South Dakota’s can shield family wealth from unnecessary disclosure, enabling discretion and reducing conflict.
• Domestic Asset Protection Trusts: Safeguarding family wealth from external threats, lawsuits, and intra-family disputes.
• Directed Trusts: A revolutionary model that unbundles asset management and trust administration functions, ensuring settlors and advisors maintain control over aspects of trust administration and wealth transfer.
• Family Governance: Critical to ensuring that wealth serves as a tool for empowerment rather than a source of division.
• Private Trust Company: A tailored approach for families managing complex assets to preserve wealth, plan for succession, and maintain control over their wealth.

Together, these tools demonstrate how thoughtful planning allow families to protect and control their legacies during a time of increasing global complexity and uncertainty.

If you have questions about the topics discussed in this presentation, or would like to learn more, reach out to us via our contact form or call us at (605) 224-9189.