In this episode, David Warren – Co-Founder & Chairman of Bridgeford Trust Company – sits down with Moe Soleiman – Private Client Advisor at Henley & Partners – the global leader in residence and citizenship planning for internationally mobile entrepreneurs and families.

Against a backdrop of geopolitical uncertainty, shifting perceptions of the United States, and growing concern about asset protection, Moe explains how residency by investment (RBI) and citizenship by investment (CBI) programs work in practice and why more high-net-worth families are seeking a “Plan B.” The conversation explores options across Europe, New Zealand, the Caribbean, and other key jurisdictions, covering golden visas, contribution versus investment routes, and global talent programs for highly accomplished individuals.

David and Moe also discuss how second residency and citizenship strategies can complement U.S. trust planning, including structures administered in South Dakota, to enhance diversification, global mobility, and optionality for families of wealth. They touch on timing, trust jurisdiction selection, and coordinated cross-border planning to help families preserve flexibility across generations.

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.

The post Podcast Episode 52 – Plan B Citizenship: Residency by Investment, Global Mobility, and Cross-Border Planning with Moe Soleiman appeared first on Bridgeford Trust Company.

  

We invite you to join us on Wednesday, December 17 from 1:00–2:30 PM (ET) for a live presentation revisiting the key insights behind “Protecting Families of Wealth from Themselves” and discussing how families can protect and control their legacies during a time of increasing global complexity and uncertainty.

Reserve your spot for this complimentary livestream by clicking here.

By examining these dynamics through the lens of modern trust law, particularly South Dakota’s progressive statutes, we’ve highlighted how thoughtful and intentional planning can transform wealth from a potential source of conflict into a foundation for stability and empowerment. From preserving family harmony to safeguarding assets and maintaining privacy, the lessons learned underscore the importance of strategic trust planning.

During this presentation, David Warren (Co-Founder & Chairman of Bridgeford Trust Company) will provide an in-depth look at the sophistication of South Dakota’s modern trust laws, which offer innovative and effective solutions for families and their advisors through:

• 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.

Each of these topics plays a vital role in addressing the challenges portrayed in Succession and the very real issues that many families of wealth face today—from maintaining privacy and protecting assets to ensuring values and governance endure across generations.

We hope you’ll join us for this engaging live presentation as we bring together practical strategies and impactful insights on protecting families of wealth from themselves. We’ll also have a live Q&A, giving attendees the opportunity to submit questions for David to address during the presentation.

If you have any questions about this livestream event, please reach out to Melissa Roberson at mroberson@bridgefordtrust.com.

The post December 17 Livestream: Protecting Families of Wealth from Themselves appeared first on Bridgeford Trust Company.

  

What is a Hybrid DAPT?

A Hybrid DAPT looks very similar to a traditional DAPT, but with one important distinction: the settlor is not initially a beneficiary. Instead, the trust is established for the benefit of the settlor’s spouse, descendants, or other beneficiaries.

By excluding the settlor, the Hybrid DAPT is defined as a third-party trust and is therefore better positioned to avoid the uncertainty and scrutiny sometimes seen in jurisdictions without strong DAPT statutes or in non-DAPT states. Importantly, the settlor can be added as a beneficiary later through the appointment of a Trust Protector, providing flexibility without compromising the initial strength of the trust.

This design substantially increases the probability that trust assets will remain protected, while still offering the settlor potential access should the need arise.

Why Consider a Hybrid DAPT?

Hybrid DAPTs address one of the main challenges with traditional DAPTs: uncertainty. While South Dakota’s DAPT statutes are among the strongest in the nation, courts in non-DAPT states have occasionally expressed reluctance to respect these trusts when the settlor is also a beneficiary.

By removing the settlor at the outset, the Hybrid DAPT avoids this complication, effectively eliminating the argument that the trust is “self-settled.” For families living outside of DAPT jurisdictions, this distinction can be pivotal.

Key Benefits of Hybrid DAPTs:

In addition to building on the strong foundation of a traditional DAPT, Hybrid DAPTs provide families with the following advantages:

• Enhanced Asset Protection – Avoids classification as a self-settled trust, reducing litigation risk and strengthening defenses against future challenges.
• Flexibility – The settlor can be added later if needed, preserving potential access without compromising protection at inception.
• Reliability – Offers a structure that reduces uncertainty and reinforces the trust’s protective strength.
• Compatibility – Can be combined with other South Dakota planning tools such as Dynasty Trusts and privacy provisions for multi-generational planning.

The South Dakota Advantage

South Dakota continues to be recognized as one of the best U.S. asset protection and modern trust law jurisdictions, with statutes that support both traditional and Hybrid DAPTs. Relative to privacy, South Dakota offers a clear advantage over other jurisdictions with the strongest trust privacy and quiet trust statutes in the nation, as indicated by Trusts & Estates Magazine for many years.

In unsettled times, planning strategies that combine strength with adaptability are especially critical. Hybrid DAPTs, working in conjunction with Directed Trusts, represent a strategic planning option, offering the protective power of a third-party trust and preserving options for future flexibility while delivering direction and control to families and their advisors.

If you’d like to learn more about how Hybrid DAPTs or other South Dakota planning tools may fit into your overall wealth plan, please reach out to us via our contact form or call us at (605) 224-9189.

The post Hybrid DAPT: Enhancing the Power of Asset Protection appeared first on Bridgeford Trust Company.

  

Join us on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, from 1:00–3:10 pm (ET) for an in-depth discussion exploring the federal, state, and international tax implications of trust structures, fiduciary duties in tax planning, and strategies to mitigate hidden risks.

The program will feature David Warren, Co-Founder and Chairman of Bridgeford Trust Company, and William Lipkind, Attorney, Partner, and Chair of Wilson Elser’s Tax Planning & Controversies Practice. Together, they’ll provide valuable insights into how trusts carry complex tax consequences that can ripple across jurisdictions and generations.

This session is designed for attorneys, accountants, and fiduciary professionals seeking a structured framework for identifying, analyzing, and managing the “tax footprints” of trusts.

Key topics include:

• Foundations of trust taxation, including federal considerations.
• State and multistate tax issues, with emphasis on evolving case law.
• International and cross-border implications.
• Fiduciary duties, risk management, and emerging planning tools.
• Domestic asset protection trusts in conjunction with advanced tax strategies.

Click here to register using Bridgeford’s complimentary access code: TrustandTaxesCLE

For questions about the webinar, please contact us at info@bridgefordtrust.com. We look forward to your participation in this informative session!

The post November 18 Webinar: Trusts and Taxes – Hidden Liabilities Every Attorney Should Anticipate appeared first on Bridgeford Trust Company.

  

Bridgeford’s team is looking forward to the event! We encourage you to read on to learn more about our activity during the conference, and if you’re attending, we hope you’ll join us for a private reception on November 5 (details below).

Presentation: Exploring the INSECURE Act of 2019 and 2022

David Warren, Co-Founder & Chairman of Bridgeford Trust Company, will be speaking during the conference on Tuesday, November 4 from 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM. He will join Vincent Lackner, Jr. (Leimberg LeClair& Lackner, Inc.), Judy Lee (Goodsill Anderson Quinn & Stifel LLP), and Amy Takahashi (Legacy Tax Group) for a panel discussion titled “The INSECURE Act of 2019 and 2022: What Every Wealth Transfer Advisor Needs to Know.”

The session will explore recent developments and trends in the rules governing retirement planning, including inherited IRAs, RMDs, stretch distributions, eligible designated beneficiaries, and key reporting considerations for advisors.

Private Evening Reception: November 5

We invite you to a private evening reception, co-hosted by Bridgeford Trust Company, Cerity Partners, MGO, and Halbach | Szwarc Law Firm. Enjoy cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, and conversation overlooking Waikiki as we connect with colleagues across the legal, tax, and financial planning professions.

Date: Wednesday, November 5, 2025
Time: 7:30 – 9:30 PM
Location: Lanikai Lounge (Top Floor of the Hilton Hawaiian Village Kalia Tower)

We hope you’ll join us! RSVP here.

Visit Bridgeford’s Exhibit Table

David Warren, Doug Mikkonen (Senior VP & Senior Trust Officer), and Sydney Warren (Director of Business & Market Development) will be available at our exhibit table throughout the week. Be sure to stop by to connect and learn how South Dakota’s powerful modern trust laws—including its advanced asset protection, privacy, and dynasty trust provisions—continue to lead the industry in providing sophisticated and independent trust solutions.

If you have any questions about Bridgeford’s participation in the conference or would like to schedule a time to meet during one of the sessions or receptions, please reach out to us at (605) 224-9189 or via our contact form. We look forward to seeing you in Honolulu!

The post Bridgeford to Speak, Sponsor, and Host Reception at HTI’s 62nd Annual Conference appeared first on Bridgeford Trust Company.