About Us
Trust Is What We Value
We believe in preserving legacy, not just wealth. We take the time to understand you, your family, and your trust and estate planning goals. This personalized attention is at the heart of who we are as a team, it’s our character. We collaborate with your attorney and existing advisors, offering expert trust administration to ensure your family and priorities are protected for generations to come. When you do business with us, we are a partner that embraces our role and responsibilities. First Trust Company takes pride in our ability to administer unique assets and strives to be the preferred corporate trustee for complex matters.
Who We Are
First Trust Company is an independent trust company. We serve as corporate trustee to high-net-worth families, business owners, and other professionals.
Our team brings decades of expertise in managing complex trusts with disciplined execution, personal attention, and unwavering integrity. We work closely with your attorney, investment manager, and other advisors to ensure your trust is administered with precision and care.
With offices in South Dakota, Minnesota, Montana, and Nebraska, we are proud to help families across the United States leverage the full power of South Dakota trust situs and build enduring legacies.
Leveraging South Dakota Situs: An Exceptional Advantage for Families
At First Trust Company, we pair personalized trust administration with the powerful advantages of South Dakota trust situs.
Where your trust is domiciled matters—and South Dakota offers one of the most favorable trust environments in the world.
Families across the country choose South Dakota situs to maximize privacy, flexibility, and long-term wealth preservation. Our team is here to help you and your advisors leverage these advantages to protect your legacy.
Tax-Friendly Jurisdiction
No State Income Tax, Inheritance Tax, or Capital Gains Tax
South Dakota trust assets are not subject to state income tax, inheritance tax, or capital gains tax. This unique structure allows trust assets to grow and be distributed across generations without unnecessary erosion from state taxes—ensuring your beneficiaries receive the full benefit of your planning.
Dynasty Trusts
Preserve Wealth for Generations
South Dakota is one of the few states that allows for perpetual (dynasty) trusts. This means your trust can continue to benefit your family and charitable causes across multiple generations without triggering wealth transfer taxes such as estate and gift taxes.
Asset Protection
Shield Assets from Creditors and Litigation
South Dakota's robust asset protection trust statutes help shield trust assets from potential creditors, divorce settlements, and other liabilities. This creates a level of security and peace of mind that few jurisdictions can match.
Trust Decanting Flexibility
Adapt Your Trust to Changing Needs
South Dakota offers some of the nation’s most flexible trust decanting provisions. This allows trustees to modify existing irrevocable trusts—moving assets to new trusts with updated terms to better serve evolving family circumstances and tax strategies.
Privacy and Security
Maintain Confidentiality Across Generations
South Dakota law provides strong privacy protections for trusts, with no requirement for public filings. This ensures your family’s financial matters remain private, while your trust is administered in a secure, stable jurisdiction.
Situs Portability
Flexibility to Establish or Move Your Trust
Whether you are establishing a new trust or seeking to optimize an existing one, South Dakota allows individuals from any state (or country) to take advantage of its situs benefits. With proper structuring, your trust can be governed by South Dakota law—regardless of where you live.