Comprehensive guide to Wyoming's trust statutes for dynasty planning.
Compare Wyoming against other top jurisdictions based on your specific planning goals.
Start Comparison →Wyoming abolished the Rule Against Perpetuities in 2003, allowing trusts to last up to 1,000 years. While not perpetual, this effectively provides dynastic duration for any practical planning purpose. The 1,000-year limit applies to both real and personal property.
Wyoming's constitution prohibits state income tax. This applies to individuals, corporations, and trusts. Trust income is not taxed at the state level regardless of trustee location, beneficiary location, or grantor residence.
Wyoming enacted its Qualified Spendthrift Trust statute in 2007. The 2-year statute of limitations for fraudulent transfer claims is competitive with South Dakota and Nevada. Self-settled spendthrift trusts are permitted.
Wyoming has comprehensive directed trust and trust protector statutes enacted in 2011 and expanded since. The statutes allow complete separation of trustee duties with explicit liability protection. Trust protectors can be granted broad powers including modification of trust terms, removal of trustees, and change of situs.
Wyoming's decanting statute (enacted 2013) provides broad powers. Trustees with absolute discretion can decant to new trusts with virtually any modified terms. Even trustees with limited discretion can change administrative and governance provisions. No court approval required.
1,000-year duration, no state income tax, low fees, and surprisingly good trust laws. It's the budget-friendly alternative to South Dakota.
Fewer established trust companies and less case law. If something goes wrong, you're in uncharted territory.
Wyoming is the sleeper pick. Most advisors recommend SD because it's safe, but Wyoming is catching up fast. Great choice if you're cost-conscious.