Private Trust Company Services
Institutional investors and multifamily offices can now help each of their client families establish a dedicated trust company in Nevada — giving every family additional control and tax optimization to benefit its own generations to come. Multifamily offices in particular are well positioned to guide multiple client families through the process, structuring and administering a separate Nevada Family Trust Company for each one.
How a Private Trust Company operates in Nevada
Commonly known worldwide as a Private Trust Company, the Nevada Family Trust Company (NFTC) is a corporation or LLC acting as a fiduciary to serve "family members" according to the definition of Nevada trust law. An NFTC is typically owned by a family member through the adoption of multigenerational trusts. In Nevada, the definition of family member is quite permissive — allowing persons up to ten degrees of lineal kinship and nine degrees of collateral kinship to qualify as the NFTC's designated relative.
Why experts choose Nevada to establish a Private Trust Company
Nevada's trust laws make it one of the most favorable jurisdictions in the country for establishing an NFTC, offering families worldwide a combination of asset protection, tax treatment, and flexibility that's hard to match elsewhere. NFTCs are available to families outside Nevada as well and can be served by a licensed Nevada Corporate Trustee such as Crawford Trust.
The advantages families seek when establishing an NFTC:
- Continuity — a clear succession plan including the maintenance of family values and the NFTC's objectives.
- Controls — the NFTC may serve only its families, hire dedicated advisors, and act as the trust protector.
- Flexibility — an NFTC can adopt its own policies and procedures to serve evolving family circumstances.
- Manage unique assets — family members who understand the business and its growth potential.
- Reduced liability for family decision-makers — often structured within one or more LLCs.
- The family business enjoys long-term tax and cost savings that can span generations.
- Family wealth-transfer and income-tax planning using custom trust solutions that reflect Nevada's Dynasty provisions.
Does establishing an NFTC require special licensing?
Nevada permits both licensed and unlicensed NFTCs. Licensing determines which federal exemption from SEC investment adviser registration applies: an unlicensed NFTC may rely on the SEC's Family Office Rule, while a licensed NFTC — supervised by Nevada's banking regulator — instead qualifies as an excluded "bank" under the Investment Advisers Act. Beyond this distinction, a licensed NFTC also enjoys broader operational powers, more efficient risk management, enhanced asset protection, and may use the word "trust" in its company name.
Unlicensed NFTC requirements:
- A physical office in Nevada.
- Contact information for family members and employees held at the Nevada office.
- LLC operating agreement.
- Articles of incorporation.
- Nevada state and local business licenses.
Licensed NFTC requires all of the above and the following:
- At least one NFTC officer with residency in Nevada.
- A registered agent with residency in Nevada.
- A bank account with a Nevada branch.
- $300,000 or greater in stockholder equity.
- Application fees.
At Crawford Trust, families traditionally arrive with a minimum asset valuation of at least $50mm in advance of considering an NFTC.
Get in touchRelated services
Other ways we serve families like yours.
Directed Trustee Services
Continue the relationships with the financial advisors you have appointed. Nevada's directed-trusts statutes let families share investment, distribution, and administration roles.
Successor Trustee Services
Trust administration needs can change. Crawford Trust can assist in your successor trustee circumstances.
Trust Decanting
Circumstances change. Nevada's exceptional statutes allow changes to your existing trust regardless of its current situs.
Get in touch
Preserving legacies and peace of mind — every day.
The journey to your legacy was unique. Let Crawford Trust help develop and administer a Trust that will protect it — for centuries to come. Contact us for a complimentary consultation.