Founded in 2001, Cornerstone Private Asset Trust Company, LLC serves as a steady foundation for your family’s financial future. We support high net worth families and small to mid sized businesses in navigating the complexities of wealth management and legacy planning with clarity and confidence. Our mission is to deliver specialized, focused, and flexible solutions tailored to your distinct goals. Every strategy is designed with precision and aligned to your long term vision. At Cornerstone, we build enduring relationships grounded in trust, expertise, and attentive service. As your dedicated partner, we help ensure your wealth is managed thoughtfully and transitioned seamlessly across generations.

Each state has its own set of trust laws. The state of South Dakota is considered one of the top states to set up a trust because of the favorable trust laws. No matter where you live you can take advantage of the benefits and flexibility afforded with a South Dakota trust. Here are some specifics of the South Dakota advantage:

• No State Income Tax on income, capital gains, dividends, interest, intangibles or any other income
• Unlimited trust duration
• Self-settled asset protection trusts
• Third party discretionary trust laws for asset protection
• Some of the best privacy statutes for trusts in the United States
• Modern trust laws that allow for directed and delegated trusts
• Flexibility and control over or input on investment and distributions decisions
• Efficient and cost-effective processes for trust modification, reformation, decanting and virtual representation

After deciding to create a trust, one the most important decisions a grantor makes is, “should I choose an individual or a professional to serve as trustee?” This decision is not as basic or obvious as many assume or are led to believe. In fact, choosing the wrong trustee can lead to family feuds with long lasting effects. Many automatically choose a trustee that they are in close relation, most likely a child, a family member, or a close friend. This is understandable and for some families a legitimate choice. However, for most, this decision is not the best for family harmony, protecting hardearned assets, and transitioning wealth from one generation to the next.

While the trust defines the grantor’s wishes and goals, there must be complete confidence that the person charged with carrying out the terms of the trust will act in the right manner. All trustees are subject to fiduciary duties. However, many individuals do not fully understand these duties and are not trained in what a trustee is and the high standards to which they are held. There are strong arguments for grantors to take a second look and consider naming a professional trustee like Cornerstone Private Asset Trust Company, over an individual, as their trustee. Following are some of these reasons:

By submitting this form, you are opting in to receive our quarterly newsletter updates.