Private Client Group
The Private Client Group of Lennox Paton provides comprehensive legal advice and services to clients with respect to the establishment of private investment companies, trusts, estate planning, real estate acquisition and immigration.
In addition, we offer advisory services to clients regarding the financial services regulatory regime in The Bahamas and BVI.
Clients include trust companies, high net worth individuals and their advisors.
Trusts
We advise clients on the drafting and establishment of trust deeds for investment holding and generation planning purposes. We also advise clients on the construction of trust deeds and on the administration of trusts.
Bahamian and BVI trust legislation is state of the industry and affords significant flexibility in the structuring of trusts in order to meet the unique requirements of the client. Provision can be made, inter alia, for protective trusts, civil law estate planning, charitable purposes, insurance and annuity trusts.
There is no public disclosure of the trust deed or of the settlor or beneficiaries thereby affording the client confidentiality in his affairs under the trust and if the client so wishes information disclosure to beneficiaries can be limited.
We can introduce the client to suitable trustees or indeed work with the client's choice of trustee.
We continuously monitor developments in the international trust arena to ensure that our clients benefit from leading edge expertise and advice.
Investment Holding Structures
We represent clients in the establishment of holding companies and limited partnerships for the holding and management of investment portfolios and assets. Each of these structures provides considerable flexibility and can be tailored to meet the particular requirements of the client. In addition, these structures provide the client with confidentiality, and are not subject to any form of taxation in The Bahamas or BVI.
We have significant experience in structuring complex corporate structures which are an alternative to the use of trusts and which can provide for a great degree of client control.
Our affiliate company, Lennox Paton Corporate Services Limited offers administrative services for these structures.
Immigration
We represent and assist clients in applications for work permits, homeowner residency cards, annual residency permits and permanent residency permits in The Bahamas and BVI.
Estate Planning & Probate
We advise clients on the drafting of Wills. We also represent and assist clients in applications for the resealing of foreign grants, Probate, Letters of Administration and Letters of Administration with the Will Annexed. There are no estate taxes levied in The Bahamas or BVI.