How Much Does a Cook Islands Trust Cost in 2025?
How Much Does a Cook Islands Trust Cost?
A Cook Islands trust costs $20,000 to $35,000 in the first year when you combine U.S. legal fees with trustee onboarding and the first annual service. Complex builds that add multiple entities, special banking, or a professional protector can exceed $40,000.
Ongoing trustee service commonly runs $3,000 to $6,000 per year, depending on the trustee and the activity level.
Talk to an Expert and Get Free Information
Alper Law is a nationally recognized expert in asset protection planning and offshore trusts. For over 30 years, we’ve provided clear, actionable advice to thousands of clients about how to protect themselves from creditors.
We provide all services by phone or Zoom.
Our Pricing
We charge a flat $15,000 legal fee for a standard Cook Islands asset protection trust. The trustee charges are separate and depend on the licensed Cook Islands trustee you choose.
Most clients also budget for the trustee’s first-year acceptance and the first annual service.
First-Year and Annual Costs At a Glance
| Cost component | What it covers | Typical 2025 range |
|---|---|---|
| U.S. legal setup | Fact development, strategy, drafting, trust deed, and ancillary documents, coordination with trustee, implementation | $15,000–$25,000 |
| Trustee acceptance / onboarding | Due diligence, trust registration, file opening | $1,000–$3,000 |
| Annual trustee service | Ongoing administration, communications, and standard filings in the Cook Islands | $3,000–$4,500 per year |
| Banking (optional) | Opening an offshore account for the trust when needed | $1,000–$5,000+ depending on bank |
| Protector (optional) | Professional third-party oversight role | $2,000–$5,000 per year |
A realistic first-year total for a standard build with our firm is $20,000 to $30,000 all-in. The lower end assumes a straightforward trustee selection and no optional banking or protector. The upper end reflects added entities or non-standard banking requirements.
What Drives the Price
Price is driven by structure, trustee selection, and how much implementation help you need.
A single-trust structure with a simple account setup is the least expensive. Adding an accompanying LLC, a professional protector, or complex banking increases cost. Trustee schedules vary by provider and by activity.
The more transactions and bespoke actions the trustee performs each year, the closer you get to the higher end of annual fees.
First-Year vs. Ongoing Costs
Your first year includes legal work, trustee acceptance, registration, and usually the first annual trustee service.
After year one, the ongoing expense is primarily the trustee’s annual fee. Most clients do not pay recurring U.S. legal fees unless they need changes, additional entities, or litigation support.
Do You Need a Bank Account in the Trust’s Name?
An offshore trust protects your cash and investments only if they are themselves located offshore at an international bank. Opening a new offshore account adds both time and cost. If an offshore account is appropriate, we coordinate the due diligence and introductions.
Do You Need a Trust Protector?
A protector is optional. The role adds oversight and certain approval rights, but it adds an annual cost.
We design the trust with strong built-in controls and reserve powers so that a professional protector is not necessary. When facts require a protector, we explain the cost and control trade-offs in plain terms.
U.S. Tax and Reporting
A Cook Islands trust is an asset protection tool. It does not eliminate U.S. tax or U.S. reporting.
U.S. owners must ensure that the trust files required U.S. information returns and that any foreign bank accounts are reported when thresholds are met.
We can coordinate with your CPA and can refer you to a CPA with offshore entity experience when needed. The Cook Islands does not impose its own tax on your trust.
Timeline
Most clients can establish a Cook Islands trust in two to four weeks after providing due diligence documents.
The longest lead item is often banking, if you elect to open a new offshore account.
Is a Cook Islands Trust Worth the Cost?
For clients facing significant liability risk, the deterrent effect and practical difficulty that creditors encounter in the Cook Islands often justify the cost. If your risk profile or net worth does not warrant an offshore trust, we will say so. In those cases, domestic tools such as multi-member LLCs, Florida homestead planning, and exempt bank accounts may achieve your goals at lower cost. We help you compare options before you commit.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a realistic first-year total?
Most clients spend $20,000 to $30,000 all-in for the first year, combining our $15,000 legal fee with trustee acceptance and the first annual service. Higher totals occur when you add entities, complex banking, or a professional protector.
How much are annual trustee fees?
The common range is $3,000 to $8,000 per year. Activity level and the specific trustee drive the number. Routine years with few transactions stay near the lower end.
Do I still pay U.S. taxes?
Yes. The trust does not eliminate U.S. tax or U.S. reporting. We coordinate with your CPA to ensure required information returns are filed and any foreign accounts are properly reported.
How fast can a Cook Islands trust be set up?
Two to four weeks is typical once your due diligence documents are complete. Banking can add time if you open a new offshore account.
Sign up for the latest information.
Get regular updates from our blog, where we discuss asset protection techniques and answer common questions.