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Secure Your Legacy with Bespoke Wealth Management Structures

Harness the power of UAE foundations, trusts, high-net-worth structuring and special purpose vehicles to protect assets, optimise taxes and ensure multi-generational wealth transfer.
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What Is Wealth Management – Foundations, Trusts, HNWI Structuring & SPVs?

A modern wealth management strategy goes beyond traditional banking. It relies on purpose-built legal structures designed to ring-fence assets, streamline succession and enhance confidentiality. 

Trusts are legal relationships where a settlor transfers property to a trustee to benefit one or more beneficiaries. They are widely used for estate planning, asset protection and wealth management, allowing families to hold investments under the stewardship of a trusted party. 

Foundations, on the other hand, are hybrid entities that blend characteristics of a trust and a company. They hold and manage assets independently from the founder and operate according to a charter and by-laws. UAE foundations are often used for asset protection, succession planning, family wealth structuring, charitable giving and holding intellectual property or investments. 

Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) are temporary legal entities created for one-off transactions such as project finance, securitisation or mergers and acquisitions. They isolate risk so that liabilities remain confined to the specific project rather than affecting a wider corporate group. 

HNW structuring refers to tailored legal and corporate structures that help high-net-worth individuals consolidate global assets, optimise taxation and maintain control while ensuring privacy and compliance. This often involves combining foundations, trusts, SPVs and holding companies into a cohesive wealth platform.

Advantages of Foundations, Trusts, HNWI Structuring & SPVs

Foundations provide robust asset protection because the assets belong to the foundation rather than the founder; creditors or family disputes cannot easily seize them. They also simplify succession planning by allowing the founder’s wishes to be enforced without probate. UAE foundations benefit from tax neutrality, meaning no personal income, capital gains or inheritance tax. They offer confidentiality and control as the founder can influence governance through the by-laws and maintain privacy because there is no public register of owners in the main jurisdictions. The ability to choose flexible beneficiaries makes foundations attractive for philanthropic and family governance goals.

Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) isolate financial risk by segregating assets and liabilities associated with a particular transaction. They are quicker and cheaper to establish than full-scale investment funds, and can be used for single-project financing or joint ventures. Investors appreciate SPVs because poor performance does not drag down the returns of core funds. Additionally, SPVs allow investors to pursue deals outside the concentration limits of their main investment agreements.

 There are no restrictions on fund transfers, making cross-border movement of profits and capital seamless ensuring your investments and operations can expand globally without financial barriers.

  • HNW structuring leverages these tools to create tailored wealth platforms. For example, a family may hold real estate via a foundation for asset protection and succession, use trusts for philanthropic funds, and establish SPVs for high-risk investments. A holding company or family office can coordinate these entities, providing a central point for governance and reporting. This integrated approach enhances privacy, reduces tax friction and ensures that each asset class is ring-fenced from external liabilities.

How DSA Can Help with Foundations, Trusts, HNW Structuring & SPVs

1. DSA’s wealth management team provides end-to-end solutions. 

2. We begin with a confidential consultation to understand your asset profile and future goals. 

3. Our experts then advise on the optimal structure, selecting from UAE and international foundations, trusts or SPV jurisdictions based on tax efficiency, asset class and succession needs. 

 

4. We handle the formation paperwork, including drafting charters, by-laws, trust deeds and SPV memoranda, and liaising with regulators. 

5. DSA can also provide corporate directors, professional trustees and foundation council members, ensuring compliance with local laws. 

6. After setup, our team manages ongoing administration, including accounting, annual filings and changes to beneficiaries. 

7. For high-net-worth clients, we design family office structures that integrate foundations and SPVs, coordinate bank accounts and investments, and provide continuous legal and tax support.

 

Why Choose DSA?

DSA combines global expertise with local knowledge. Our consultants have decades of experience structuring wealth vehicles across DIFC, ADGM and international jurisdictions. 

We prioritise bespoke solutions, tailoring each structure to the client’s family dynamics, risk appetite and geographic footprint. 

Our end-to-end service reduces complexity: from advisory and formation to administration and compliance. 

Clients choose DSA because we maintain strict confidentiality, operate with transparent fee structures and work with a network of top legal, tax and investment professionals. 

With our support, clients gain peace of mind knowing their wealth is protected, tax-efficient and positioned for future generations.

FAQs

  1. A foundation is a standalone legal entity combining elements of a trust and a company; it owns assets independently of its founder and is governed by a council. A trust is a legal relationship where a settlor transfers assets to a trustee to benefit specific beneficiaries. Foundations provide greater control and recognition by government agencies, while trusts offer flexibility and confidentiality for personal wealth.
  1. Both UAE residents and non-residents can establish foundations or trusts in DIFC, ADGM or RAK ICC. The founder/settlor must pass due diligence checks and appoint qualified council members or trustees.
  1. UAE foundations are tax-neutral; they are exempt from personal income, capital gains and inheritance tax. Assets within the foundation can grow without ongoing taxation, and no inheritance tax applies when assets pass to beneficiaries.

 

  1. Yes. Founders can retain significant influence through the foundation’s by-laws and can serve on the council. However, control must be balanced with the foundation’s independence to maintain asset protection.
  1. An SPV isolates the risks of a single project from your other assets. If the project fails, liabilities stay within the SPV and do not impact your personal or corporate wealth. SPVs are also cost-effective and simpler to set up than a full fund.
  1. Foundations and trusts can hold real estate, shares, cash, intellectual property, art, yachts and family businesses. They also support charitable donations and philanthropic projects.
  1. Formation timelines vary by jurisdiction. A DIFC or ADGM foundation usually takes 2–4 weeks once all documentation is complete, while an SPV can often be set up in a matter of days. DSA expedites the process by preparing documents and liaising with regulators.
  1. Yes. DIFC and ADGM operate under internationally recognised common law frameworks and their courts are respected worldwide. This enhances global acceptance of foundation structures and simplifies cross-border transactions.
  1. In many cases, yes. DSA’s legal team can transfer shares or property into a new foundation. This migration can deliver tax and succession benefits, but careful planning is essential to avoid triggering capital gains or stamp duty.
  1. Ongoing obligations include maintaining accounting records, submitting annual returns, renewing licences and complying with anti-money-laundering regulations. DSA’s administration team handles these tasks so clients can focus on growing their wealth.