Is Asset Protection Legal and Safe?

Is Asset Protection Safe and Legally Valid for U.S. Residents in Other Countries?


In a nutshell, the answer is a resounding YES. The courts in the Cook Islands are not subject to American Courts, or any other Courts, and their legislature has its own proven way that they deal with any person or entity that may desire to take your assets. And, Cook Islands Legislation, or “The Law”, is on your side making your assets secure.

Ethical, Compliant, and Globally Trusted Asset Protection

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We use only legal, ethical, and compliant strategies for asset protection, grounded in established laws developed over the past 50 years. Asset protection is focused on safeguarding your wealth after taxes.  This method is not about tax avoidance. Once your accountant maximizes your tax benefits, Cook Island asset protection ensures your assets are completely shielded and protected.



We partner with a highly respected team of professionals regulated by bodies like The Cook Islands Financial Supervisory Commission (FSC), which oversees trustees and ensures the safety of your assets. The Cook Islands, a part of New Zealand, is ranked among the world’s most trusted financial jurisdictions and has over 50 years of experience in asset protection.



Trustees, your designated director for your assets, supported by trust protectors (trusted individuals you choose), manage your assets according to your wishes outlined in your trust document that controls what your trustee must do to carry out your wishes regarding your assets. The FSC monitors these trustees, much like U.S. regulatory bodies monitor wealth managers. With their expertise, the trustee teams we work with offer legally compliant and ethical asset protection solutions, ensuring your wealth is safe from legal threats.



Under New Zealand and Cook Islands law, your trust is completely protected from legal challenges. As a U.S. citizen, you have the right to place your assets in any trust globally, and the Cook Islands offers unparalleled protection for your wealth.

Unbreakable Protection: How the Cook Islands Safeguard Your Assets


In the Cook Islands, your assets are fully protected as soon as they are placed in a Cook Islands Trust. If any person or entity attempts to challenge the ownership of those assets, they must travel to the Cook Islands and convince a local judge beyond a reasonable doubt why some other person or entity should have access. The legal history and laws in the Cook Islands strongly deter any plaintiff from pursuing a claim against a Cook Islands Trust, making it highly unlikely that anyone will even try.


The Cook Islands have a strict statute of limitations for fraudulent transfers which is only one year from the time the trust is funded, or two years from the cause of action. If a claim is not filed within these timelines, the court will not hear the case. This means that once the time has passed, creditors (and any everyone else) have no legal recourse to even challenge the trust, and bankruptcy courts have no authority over Cook Islands Trusts either.


The sooner you get started protecting your assets, the better for your protection. Give us a call at  913-914-7979 or  contact us.

Benefits & Advantages of the Cook Island Trust

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  • Lawsuit & Creditor Protection

    Protection from lawsuits, creditors, and court orders originating outside of the Cook Islands.

  • Independent Legal Jurisdiction

    Cook Islands trustees are not bound to U.S. legal jurisdiction.

  • Defendant-Friendly Legal System

    The Cook Islands legal system is a “defendant-friendly” jurisdiction.

    One (1) year from the time that you register and fund the trust, or a two (2) year statute of limitation for cause of action, the reason the plaintiff filed the lawsuit, for an allegation of fraudulent transfer of an asset. There may be an advantage in migrating an existing trust to the Cook Islands, instead of forming a new trust. This is because the protective time limits apply retrospectively to the date of your original trust.

  • High Burden of Proof

    The legal burden is on the plaintiff to prove their case beyond a reasonable doubt, like in a criminal case in the USA.

  • Jurisdiction in Cook Islands

    The plaintiff must deal with any case in a Cook Islands court.

  • Electronic Asset Transactions

    Can transact with assets electronically.

  • Tax-Free Asset Protection

    Placing assets in the Trust is completely tax-free – not taxes on the asset in the trust or putting additional assets in the trust.

  • Offshore Asset Flexibility

    Assets do not have to be in the Cook Islands.

  • Strong Legal Precedent

    There is plenty of favorable Cook Islands case law.

  • Bankruptcy Protection

    There is protection against bankruptcy as the Cook Islands laws do not recognize the concept of bankruptcy.

Why Cook Islands are the World Leader in Asset Protection


In 1989, the Cook Islands became the first country to implement comprehensive laws protecting trust assets from third-party creditors and everyone else. While other jurisdictions have tried to replicate aspects of these laws, their efforts are incomplete, leaving asset transfers vulnerable to challenges. This is especially true in the United States for U.S. citizens.



Cook Islands law is globally recognized for offering the highest level of protection for settlers (you the person that puts the assets in the trust), with over 30 years of court decisions defining the boundaries of asset security. Unlike other jurisdictions, including the U.S., the Cook Islands asset protection trust is the gold standard for securing wealth.


How To Get Started

Getting started is simple, it starts with a conversation. If you’ve worked hard to build your wealth, don’t leave it exposed to lawsuits, creditors, or financial curveballs. We’ll walk you through every step, answer your questions, and design a protection plan tailored to your unique situation. Whether you're worried about business risks, divorce, or just want long-term peace of mind, we’re here to help.

Testimonials

Real Clients. Real Stories

Bill P.

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“Denny has been helping my wife and I with our estate plan and asset protection plan since 2009. I have strong protections from creditors, lawsuits, claims and unforeseen situations, all within the law. It gives my wife and I a great deal of comfort knowing we have protections in place for our life-long hard work and that our kids and grandkids will have the same (and even better) safeguards when we pass away. Denny has always helped us keep everything straight to ensure we are covered.”

Gerald R.

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“I was a real estate investor and National real estate instructor for years. Denny helped me make sure that I was not personally liable for bad events that too often take place in the real estate arena. He taught me how to hold property and how to protect myself. Denny also devised a killer set of legal documents to structure my estate and asset plan providing me the ability to handle issues that arise when I am out of the Country which has paid off handsomely to make sure things got done correctly in my absence.”

Mike

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“I tried getting my estate and asset protection plan set up with documents I found online and talking to friends. Boy, did that ever backfire on me. I wasted so much time trying to do it myself and finally realized I did not even know the right questions to ask to protect my assets and get my estate in proper form. Denny changed all of that. Now I feel protected and know my plan is specifically tailored for my needs.”