Clients ask: “Should I go offshore?” Usually: not first. Offshore is an advanced layer after domestic fundamentals are clean.
The deciding variables
Effectiveness
Friction and predictability of remedies.
Cost
Setup + annual fees + reporting.
Control
Practical control vs defensibility.
Compliance burden
KYC, reporting, operational constraints.
Domestic
- Lower cost, simpler maintenance
- Often sufficient for moderate exposure with segmentation + insurance
Offshore
- Jurisdiction diversification
- Potential procedural friction + professional fiduciaries
- Higher cost and compliance reality