The Core Problem
Your wealth should outlive you
As wealth grows, personal ownership becomes fragile. A death, dispute, inheritance event, or cross-border move can expose your life's work to probate delays and external claims.
The Risk of Personal Ownership
Personal ownership lacks the institutional continuity required for multi-generational transfer, creating unnecessary vulnerabilities.
Institutional Governance
Transition your assets from individual vulnerability to a fortress of corporate protection.
Creator
You / Family
The Structure
DIFC Foundation or Trust Entity
Holds
Operating Companies · Investments · Real Estate · Family Assets
Structures
Foundations & Trusts
The right choice depends on your assets, family objectives, and the legal jurisdictions involved.
DIFC Foundation
A separate legal entity that can hold and administer assets according to the founder's charter and by-laws. It combines corporate characteristics with trust-like asset protection.
Best for:
- Family wealth
- Corporate shares
- Succession planning
- Civil law clients
DIFC Trust
A legal arrangement where a settlor transfers assets to a trustee to hold for the benefit of designated beneficiaries. It offers maximum flexibility and confidentiality.
Best for:
- Asset protection
- Minor heirs
- Global mobility
- Common law clients
| Comparison | Foundation | Trust |
|---|---|---|
| Legal Personality | Separate legal entity | Legal relationship |
| Governance | Council governed (Strong) | Trustee governed (Flexible) |
| Control Retained | Founder can be on council | Settlor restricted |
| Registration | Registered with DIFC Registrar of Companies | Registered (Privately) |
| Shariah Option | Fully Available | Fully Available |
Jurisdictions
Jurisdictions & Wealth Structures
Explore the right jurisdiction and structure for protecting, managing and passing on your wealth.
DIFC
Dubai International Financial Centre
Available Structures
- Foundation
- Trust
- Holding Company
ADGM
Abu Dhabi Global Market
Available Structures
- Foundation
- Trust
- Holding Company
RAK ICC
Ras Al Khaimah International Corporate Centre
Available Structures
- Foundation
- Trust
- Holding Company
Holdings
What can the structure hold?
We design the legal chain of ownership so your structure can efficiently manage a wide range of asset classes.
Business Shares
Privately owned companies or international holding co's.
Investments
Liquid securities, portfolios, and investment accounts.
Real Estate
Ownership of property holding companies globally.
Institutional Assets
Cash, bankable assets, and family collectibles.
Strategic Layering
The most effective designs often combine a wealth structure (Foundation/Trust) for long-term ownership with a UAE Holding Company underneath for commercial holding.
Pricing
Simple, structured pricing
A one-time establishment fee covers your structure, plus a monthly administration fee that keeps it compliant and in good standing.
Holding Company
Best for commercial holding beneath a Foundation or Trust.
- RAK ICC holding company incorporation
- Share structure aligned to Foundation / Trust
- Registered agent & registered office
- Corporate bank account assistance
- Annual return & compliance coordination
- Licensed trustee
- Charter / trust deed drafting (Additional Fee Apply)
Foundation
Best for family wealth and succession planning.
- DIFC Foundation establishment
- Charter & by-laws drafting (Additional Fee Apply)
- Registered office & council secretary
- DIFC Registrar of Companies registration
- Annual statutory filing coordination
- Dedicated licensed trustee
- Underlying holding company
Trust
Best for asset protection and global mobility.
- DIFC Trust deed drafting
- Licensed trustee appointment
- Settlor & beneficiary onboarding / KYC
- Confidential trust registration
- Ongoing trustee administration
- Shariah-compliant option available
- Underlying holding company
Government fees, legal, tax and banking costs are billed separately. Need a layered structure or Private Trust Company? Contact us →
100%
Compliance-first process
5yr
Structuring experience
The Emotional Center
Don't leave succession to chance
Your wealth is the result of a lifetime's ambition. A structured plan ensures it serves your children and grandchildren exactly how you intended, protecting them from the complexities of direct inheritance.
“I own companies personally today. What happens if I am not here?”
The Critical Question
Keep Your Business and Personal Assets Separate
A properly established UAE wealth structure can help separate certain assets from direct personal ownership and create an additional layer of legal and governance protection.
Important Compliance Notice
Asset protection effectiveness depends heavily on timing, solvency, asset location, and applicable UAE or international laws. Structures should not be created to defeat existing creditors or legal obligations.
Strategic Goals
Potential Objectives
-
Ring-fencing long-term family assets
-
Reducing concentration of assets in personal ownership
-
Continuity during incapacity or death
-
Controlled beneficiary access
-
Multi-jurisdictional estate planning
Family Governance
Clear roles, built to last
A structured framework prevents disputes, provides continuity during life transitions, and ensures the family wealth serves future generations seamlessly within the UAE ecosystem.
Role 01
Founder
Sets the original objectives and rules for the structure.
Role 02
Council / Trustee
Oversees and administers the foundation or trust.
Role 03
Protector
Provides additional oversight to ensure goals are met.
Role 04
Beneficiaries
Receive benefits per the terms established by the Founder.
Role 05
Next Gen
Participates in governance and transition over time.
Why UAE
Why UAE for wealth structuring?
Dedicated Legislation
The UAE offers specific, robust legislation governing trusts and foundations across jurisdictions like ADGM and DIFC.
Regulated Ecosystem
Structures operate through the UAE's highly regulated and internationally recognized corporate-services ecosystem.
Foundation & Trust Options
Choose between different succession and governance models tailored precisely to your family's needs.
Private Trust Companies
Available options for more sophisticated and complex family wealth structures.
Shariah-Compatible Structures
Both Conventional and Islamic structuring options are fully supported and widely utilized.
Global & Regional Hub
Perfectly positioned for families with businesses, investments, or connections across the Middle East, Africa, and Asia.
Watch, learn, then
launch in the UAE
Who Is This For
Built for people with something to protect
"I own companies and investments personally today. What happens to everything if something happens to me?"
Entrepreneurs
Protect continuity of privately owned UAE mainland or free zone companies.
International Families
Coordinate and consolidate global assets through a secure UAE hub.
Investors
Create long-term ADGM or DIFC ownership structures for investment wealth.
Property Owners
Coordinate seamless succession of regional real estate and property holding structures.
Family Offices
Establish an institutional, legally robust framework around family wealth.
Illustration
An example structure
Today
Founder personally owns an operating company, investment account, property companies and cash investments.
Restructure
Assets or company shares are transferred to appropriate UAE holding vehicles (e.g., DIFC, ADGM, or mainland).
Target structure
UAE Foundation (ADGM / DIFC) → UAE Holding Company → Business A | Investment SPV | Property HoldCo | Investment Portfolio → Family Beneficiaries
Illustration only. The appropriate ownership chain depends on the assets, jurisdictions and tax residence of the founder and beneficiaries.
The Process
How SetupHero builds your structure
Discovery
Understand family, assets, countries involved, current ownership, succession concerns and tax residences.
Structure Design
Determine whether a Foundation, Trust, Foundation + HoldCo, Trust + HoldCo or Private Trust Company is most appropriate.
Establishment
Coordinate legal documents, licensed UAE service providers (e.g., ADGM or DIFC), establishment, underlying companies, KYC and compliance.
Asset Transfer
Coordinate with legal, tax and banking professionals where assets need to be transferred into the structure.
Banking & Investments
Support onboarding of appropriate companies or structures with financial institutions where applicable.
Ongoing Administration
Annual administration, statutory filings and structure maintenance to keep everything fully compliant.
End to End
Why SetupHero
Wealth Structuring
Foundation and trust design customized for your family's future.
Corporate Structuring
UAE mainland companies, free zone entities, and international holding structures.
Banking
Banking and investment-account coordination with leading institutions.
Tax Coordination
Work closely with tax advisers around the founder's and beneficiaries' residence.
Succession Planning
Translate your long-term family objectives into a legally sound structure.
Ongoing Administration
Coordinate annual compliance, bookkeeping, and professional providers.
FAQ
Common questions
Everything you need to know about wealth structuring with us.
Build a structure that lasts beyond one generation.
Whether you are protecting a family business, investment portfolio or international assets, we can help you design the appropriate UAE structure.