$2,000 LLC vs $10,000 Trust: Which Asset Protection Do You Need?

At Wealth Web, we believe asset protection should be accessible, not just for billionaires. That is why we offer two distinct entry points for clients looking to secure their wealth offshore:

1. The Offshore LLC ($2,000) 
2. The Offshore Trust ($10,000) 

A common question we hear during consultations is: “That $8,000 difference is huge. Can I just start with the $2,000 LLC? Is it good enough?”

The answer is yes, but you need to understand exactly what you are buying (and what you are not buying) at each price point. Here is the definitive guide to choosing the right level of protection for your portfolio.

The $2,000 Solution: The Nevis LLC

The Nevis Limited Liability Company (LLC) is one of the most attractive and convenient offshore company structures in the world. Nevis has arguably the strongest LLC laws in the world, and that’s why we recommend it. 

How It Protects You:

The Nevis LLC relies on a legal mechanism called “Charging Order Protection.”

If a creditor sues you personally and wins, they cannot seize the company or the assets inside it. They cannot force you to sell the company. They cannot vote.

The only thing a creditor can get is a “charging order”, which is a lien on any distributions (profits) you decide to take out of the company. As the manager, you can legally decide not to make any distributions, leaving the creditor with nothing but a legal bill.

Who is this for?

• The crypto investor: You hold $100k – $500k in Bitcoin and want to keep it private and secure from a simple lawsuit.
• The digital nomad: You run an online business and want a tax-neutral, private base of operations.
• The “rainy day” planner: You aren’t being sued, but you want a separate “nest egg” outside of the US banking system just in case.

What’s included in our package?

• Registered and operational company
• Complete application process handled on your behalf
• Due diligence checks conducted as part of the service
• Drafting of country-compliant company documents, such as the operating agreement
• Coverage of all third-party costs, including first-year registration fees with the appropriate government body
• Add an offshore bank account for $1000

An offshore LLC is probably the best $2,000 insurance policy on the market. It is an excellent deterrent, but it is not “bulletproof” against a super-aggressive judge who might try to hold you in contempt (read more about our offshore trust solution below).

The $10,000 Solution: The Cook Islands Trust

The Cook Islands Trust is one of the most secure and effective solutions for safeguarding wealth and valuable assets. While an LLC protects the business, a Trust protects you.

How It Protects You:

The key difference is Separation of Ownership.

With an LLC, you still legally own the company. A US judge has jurisdiction over you, so they can pressure you to act.

With a Cook Islands Trust, you transfer the legal title of the assets to a foreign Trustee. You no longer own the assets. You are merely the beneficiary.

If a US judge orders you to hand over the money, you can honestly say, “I cannot. It’s not my money, and the Trustee refuses to release it.” The Cook Islands Trustee is legally bound by the “Duress Clause” to ignore any foreign court order. The US judge has zero power over them.

Who is this for?

• The high-net-worth individual (HNWI): You have $1M+ in assets. The cost of the trust is a tiny fraction of what you could lose.
• The high-risk professional: For example, doctors and surgeons face “excess verdict” risks that insurance won’t cover.
• The threatened: If you are in a high-risk industry or fear a specific lawsuit could happen in the future, you need the Trust.

What’s included in our package?

• Registered and operational Asset Protection Trust
• Complete application process handled on your behalf
• Due diligence checks conducted as part of the service
• Drafting of all required country-compliant trust documents, such as the trust deed
• Coverage of all third-party costs, including first-year trustee and registration fees, with the appropriate government body
• Add an offshore bank account for $1000

Comparison: What Do You Get?

The “Total Protection” Upgrade ($12,000)

If you are leaning towards the Trust, there is a third option that sophisticated investors choose: Combine them.

For just $12,000, the Total Protection Package is a comprehensive solution designed to safeguard your assets through a strategic combination of a trust, offshore company (LLC or IBC), and a dedicated bank account.:

1. The Trust (The Owner): Provides the ultimate legal separation.
2. The LLC (The Asset Holder): Holds the bank accounts and assets.
3. An operational bank account: World-class multi-currency capabilities and diverse investment options 

Why do this?

It gives you the best of both worlds. The Trust provides the safety, but the Trust owns the LLC. You are appointed as the Manager of the LLC.

• Day-to-day: You manage the LLC, trade crypto, and sign checks. You have control.
• Under Threat: If you are sued, you resign as Manager. The Trustee steps in to protect the assets.

What’s included in our package?

• Registered and operational asset protection trust
• Registered and operational offshore company
• Operational offshore bank account
• Complete application process handled on your behalf
• Due diligence checks conducted as part of the service
• Drafting of country-compliant trust and company documents (trust deed, operating agreement)
• Coverage of all third-party setup costs, including first-year trustee and registration fee.

The Bottom Line

• Have <$500k? Start with the Nevis LLC ($2,000). It’s affordable and stronger than anything in the US.
• Have >$1M? Do not cut corners. The Cook Islands Trust ($10,000) is the industry standard for a reason.

About Wealth Web

Wealth Web was founded by Connor Steens and John Evans, two professionals with deep roots in the offshore services industry and a shared vision to raise the standard of what clients can expect from international wealth solutions, particularly in the South Pacific. What began as a conversation about how to better serve clients quickly and efficiently evolved into a network focused on delivering and growing the offshore services industry in the Cook Islands and Nevis.

We are committed to provide trusted, future-ready offshore solutions with speed, precision, and care, while helping shape the future of the jurisdictions we know best.

If you are ready to secure your wealth without the markup, let’s have a candid conversation.