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Cook Islands Foundation

$6,500

A Cook Islands Foundation is a legal entity established under the Cook Islands Foundations Act 2012. It’s a hybrid structure combining features of both a trust and a company, designed for holding assets with enhanced privacy, flexibility, and strong asset protection benefits.

  • Registered and operational Foundation
  • Complete application process handled on your behalf
  • Due diligence checks conducted as part of the service
  • Drafting of all required country compliant documents
  • Coverage of all third-party costs, including first-year trustee and registration fees with the appropriate government body
  • Add an offshore bank account for $1000

A Cook Islands Foundation offers strong asset protection, high privacy, flexible management, and effective estate planning in a stable and reputable jurisdiction.

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Key Features of a Cook Islands Foundation

Separate Legal Personality
Unlike a trust, a Cook Islands Foundation has a separate legal identity, enabling it to hold assets and enter contracts in its own name, akin to a company.

Flexible Purpose
A Cook Islands Foundation can be established for charitable or non-charitable purposes, for specific beneficiaries, or for broader objectives. It doesn’t require named beneficiaries, offering unparalleled flexibility.

Governance Structure

  • Foundation Council: Similar to a company’s board of directors, the council administers the foundation’s assets and executes its objectives.

  • Enforcer (Optional): Ensures the council fulfills its duties and safeguards the foundation’s purpose.

  • Founder: Initiates the foundation and can retain significant control through the council.

Confidentiality
No public disclosure of the Founder, contributors, beneficiaries, or enforcer is required, ensuring maximum privacy.

Asset Protection Provisions

  • Foreign judgments are not enforceable in the Cook Islands unless they consider Cook Islands Foundation-specific laws.

  • Cook Islands Foundations are shielded from forced heirship claims and fraudulent transfer challenges unless proven beyond a reasonable doubt and within strict time limits.

Ease of Administration
Cook Islands Foundations are required to maintain financial records but have straightforward compliance requirements, making them easy to manage.

Practical Uses of Cook Islands Foundations

Succession Planning
A Cook Islands Foundation is ideal for preserving family wealth and ensuring seamless generational transitions. Unlike traditional trusts, it allows the Founder to maintain control while avoiding fragmentation of family businesses or assets.

Holding Unique Assets
Cook Islands Foundations can hold assets that may not fit within a trustee’s prudent investment duties, such as high-value art, yachts, or volatile investments.

Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs)
In commercial settings, Cook Islands Foundations serve as SPVs for off-balance-sheet transactions or for isolating ownership in complex corporate structures.

Private Trust Company (PTC) Management
A Cook Islands Foundation can hold shares in a PTC, giving families direct involvement in trust-related decisions without compromising asset protection.

Philanthropic Endeavors
Cook Islands Foundations offer a robust framework for establishing and managing charitable initiatives, ensuring long-term impact and sustainable funding.

About The Cook Islands

The Cook Islands is a self-governing island nation in the South Pacific Ocean, located about halfway between New Zealand and Hawaii. Comprising 15 small islands spread over a vast area of ocean, it is known for its stunning natural beauty, tropical climate, and vibrant Polynesian culture. Although self-governing, the Cook Islands maintains a free association with New Zealand, meaning New Zealand handles its defense and foreign affairs, while the islands have their own local government. The Cook Islands has developed a reputation as a stable and reputable financial jurisdiction, particularly for asset protection and offshore company formation, thanks to its robust legal framework, strong privacy laws, and political stability. Its economy is primarily based on tourism, fishing, and offshore financial services, attracting investors and international businesses looking for a reliable and discreet environment to manage their assets.

Advantages Over Traditional Trusts

  • Greater control for the Founder and family members.
  • No fiduciary obligations to beneficiaries, reducing potential conflicts.
  • Enhanced flexibility and asset protection, particularly in contentious or high-risk situations.
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1

Contact Us

Reach out to us by leaving a message or booking a consultation with a specialist. We will discuss your needs, answer your questions, and guide you through the next steps.

2

Complete our form

Complete our confidential and secure onboarding process to begin your application, during which we may request supporting documents to meet jurisdictional requirements and ensure a smooth registration process.

3

Finalize Requirements

Our registered agent in your chosen jurisdiction will conduct final compliance checks and confirm that all due diligence requirements are met. Once cleared, registration will proceed and the appropriate government and service fees will be paid.

4

Registration

Your entity is registered. We will provide a formal introduction to your registered agent, who will be your point of contact for ongoing compliance, maintenance, and any jurisdictional matters.

The Structure of a Cook Islands Foundation

Founder

  • Initiates the Foundation and may contribute assets. Often retains certain control rights.

Foundation Instrument

  • Legal document outlining the Foundation’s name, agent, and lawful objectives. Filed with the Registrar without revealing sensitive details.

Foundation Rules

  • Govern management and operations. Include roles, asset management, and key appointments. Remain private.

Foundation Council

  • Governing body managing assets and objectives. Must have at least one member.

Enforcer (Optional)

  • Oversees the Council’s duties. Optional but adds extra oversight.

Registered Agent and Registered Office

  • Must appoint a Cook Islands-licensed trustee as agent. Handles compliance and filings.

Beneficiaries (Optional)

  • May benefit specific individuals or purposes. No automatic enforcement rights unless stated.

Endowment

  • Assets contributed become Foundation property. Can include cash, securities, or real estate.

Duration

  • Can be perpetual or set to end at a specific time or event.

Financial Records

  • Must keep accurate financial records for at least six years at the registered office.

Offshore Bank Account

  • If selected, the offshore bank account will be owned by the Cook Islands LLC and managed exclusively by the member/manager, offering flexibility and control over financial management within the structure.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS: COOK ISLANDS FOUNDATIONS

What is a Cook Islands Foundation?

A Cook Islands Foundation is a legal entity designed for asset protection, estate planning, and succession. It combines the features of trusts and corporations, providing strong legal separation between the founder’s assets and the foundation’s holdings.

Who controls the Foundation?

The Foundation Council manages the Foundation and its assets, in accordance with the Foundation Rules. Founders may retain some control through reserved powers, but they do not own the assets.

Do I need to name beneficiaries?

No. Cook Islands Foundations can be set up for specific purposes, for a class of beneficiaries, or with no beneficiaries at all. Beneficiaries have no automatic right to information or enforcement.

Are Cook Islands Foundations private?

Yes. The Foundation Rules and details about beneficiaries or contributors are not publicly filed. Only the Foundation Instrument, which excludes sensitive data, is submitted to the Registrar.

What assets can be contributed?

Foundations can receive cash, investments, real estate, intellectual property, and more. These are formally endowed and become property of the Foundation, separate from the founder or contributors.

How long does it take to establish a Foundation?

Foundations can typically be established within 3–5 business days when working with a licensed provider like Offshore Companies Online.

Why choose Offshore Companies Online?

We offer streamlined, affordable Foundation formation services through trusted Cook Islands professionals. Our team ensures compliance, privacy, and efficiency from start to finish—with no hidden fees or legal complexity.

Contact Us

Please leave us a message, and a member of our team will respond to you shortly.

Alternatively, you can schedule a convenient time slot to discuss your asset protection goals with one of our specialists.

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