Document background
The Family Trust Agreement is an essential instrument for families seeking to establish a structured approach to wealth management and succession planning in the Netherlands. While Dutch law doesn't have a domestic trust law system, it recognizes trust arrangements through the Hague Trust Convention, allowing families to create trust-like structures for asset protection and wealth transfer. This document becomes relevant when families wish to preserve wealth across generations, protect assets, ensure efficient tax planning, or maintain family business continuity. The agreement typically includes comprehensive provisions covering asset management, distribution policies, governance structures, and succession planning. It's particularly important in the Dutch context where careful consideration must be given to civil law requirements, tax implications, and international aspects of trust administration. The Family Trust Agreement serves as the foundational document that governs the relationship between settlors, trustees, and beneficiaries, while ensuring compliance with Dutch legal and regulatory requirements.
