Bridgeford Trust recently produced a well-researched chart comparing the leading U.S. trust jurisdictions, with a particular emphasis on areas that clearly distinguish South Dakota as the superior trust jurisdiction in the overall analysis. Click here or on the image below to view the chart in PDF format.
As illustrated by the shaded areas on the chart, there are five specific planning tools where South Dakota excels, clearly rendering that state as the overall jurisdiction of choice for trust situs. South Dakota is generally regarded by most practitioners and academics, including Steve Oshins, a Nevada attorney, as being the best Dynasty Trust state and having the best Decanting Statute in the nation. Also, South Dakota clearly has the most robust privacy laws in the country, as pointed out by a recent article appearing in the January 2016 edition of Trusts & Estates Magazine comparing U.S. trust jurisdictions wherein the author noted, “Of the top tier trust jurisdictions, South Dakota has the best privacy laws in the nation.”
In addition, South Dakota is one of only two states with a Community Property Trust, a compelling tax planning tool for spouses. Finally, at 8 basis points, South Dakota has the lowest insurance premium tax in the U.S. When these attributes are considered in the aggregate, South Dakota clearly emerges as the superior trust jurisdiction in the nation.
For more information about South Dakota’s progressive and industry leading trust laws, click here. Contact Bridgeford Trust via our contact page with any questions or for additional information.
