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Keep the family wealth on your terms

Move assets out of personal ownership into a Panama foundation and set the rules for succession.

From $4,890Final scope is confirmed on the call.
Check whether it fits
Panama City skyline representing a private interest foundation for family wealth

Who this is for

It makes sense when you want control of the assets, a split from personal ownership, and a succession plan.

This is for you if any of these fit

  • You have assets in more than one jurisdiction and want that ownership under one legal entity.
  • You are dealing with the risk of a lawsuit, divorce, or political uncertainty.
  • You want to limit public probate and set the rules in advance.
  • You have a company and want its ownership moved under a separate legal entity.

The trade-offs

  • A foundation does not hide assets from legal obligations.
  • A foundation cannot do business on its own. For that you need a company.
  • A foundation has its own upkeep costs and administrative duties. You should consider whether the size and complexity of your assets justify them.

Why a foundation

The foundation holds the assets under rules you set. You decide who benefits, who makes the decisions, and what happens when the family situation changes.

The assets are not in your name

Assets in the foundation are separate from your personal ownership. That protection does not cover transfers made to get ahead of creditors.

Succession stays private

The rules say who gets what. The family does not have to sort it out in a public probate case.

You can stay involved

Want a say on the council? Your name will be publicly linked to the foundation. Want privacy? You can appoint nominees to the council and take the role of protector with a veto.

Succession on your terms

The rules for how it runs and for succession are set in advance. You can define exactly how succession works, who benefits from the assets the foundation holds, and in what amount.

Accounts, investments, and shares

A foundation can own practically any type of asset. From bank accounts, through stock or real estate investments, to shares in companies.

Panama does not tax foreign income

Foreign income is generally not subject to Panama tax.

Panama City skyline at sunset, representing Panama foundation planningPanama City skyline at sunset, representing Panama foundation planning

What the setup includes

  • We check whether you need it

    First we look at whether your assets and family situation actually need a foundation.

  • The rules in writing

    You set who receives the assets, who decides, and whether the foundation should hold company shares.

  • Formation in Panama

    Our Panamanian legal team forms the foundation. We look after the scope, the documents, and the process.

  • A link to a company

    The foundation can hold shares in an operating company. We will tell you whether that makes sense in your situation and, if it does, we will transfer the shares.

  • Changes after formation

    We explain how the bylaws can be changed later if your family situation or the assets under management change.

From the plan to a formed foundation

We settle the purpose and the rules before anything is filed. We then arrange formation of the foundation.

  1. The call

    One call

    We check whether you need a foundation, or if a will is enough.

    Shared

  2. The rules

    A few days

    You set who receives the assets, who will decide, and whether the foundation should own the shares of the operating company.

    Shared

  3. Formation

    1 to 2 weeks

    Our Panamanian legal team forms the foundation. You do not need to travel.

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  4. After delivery

    Ongoing

    We prepare you for later bylaw changes and agree on regular upkeep.

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The times shown are typical estimates. How fast the offices process things can change over time. We confirm the current situation on the consultation.

Questions before you form a foundation

We clarify what the foundation should hold, what it does not replace, and which duties remain after formation.

No. A company does business. A foundation protects assets and handles succession. Both often make sense together. The company does the business and the foundation holds its shares.
No. A foundation can keep family matters private and protect assets you hold lawfully. It does not let you avoid legal obligations.
No. Residency is about where you live. A foundation is about the assets.
Formation starts at $4,890. Yearly upkeep and other extra costs are quoted separately. On the call we will give you a closer estimate based on what you need.
Yes, that is common. The company does the business and the foundation holds the ownership shares. It does not always make sense, and it is better to get advice on it.

First check that you need a foundation

Book a free call. We will tell you whether a foundation makes sense for you, what the price includes, and what upkeep involves.

  • Start with the assets and the family

    We will discuss what you want to protect and how, and who should be the beneficiary during your life and after it.

  • Leave with a clear recommendation

    You will know whether the next step is a foundation, a company, a will, or none of them.

  • You will see the costs up front

    We separate formation, yearly upkeep, outside advice, and any follow-on services.