Yes, a Wyoming Statutory Trust (WST) can own a Limited Liability Company (LLC).
In fact, this is a very common structure used for advanced asset protection and privacy. Under the Wyoming Statutory Trust Act, these trusts are considered separate legal entities that have the power to “hold and manage property” and “carry on business.” This includes the ability to hold membership interests in an LLC.
How the Structure Works
Usually, the arrangement is set up as a “parent-child” relationship:
- The Parent (The Trust): The Wyoming Statutory Trust acts as the overarching holding entity.
- The Child (The LLC): The LLC is the operating entity that holds specific assets (like real estate or a business). The Trust is listed as the sole member (owner) of the LLC.
Why People Do This
- Double Layer of Protection: You get the “charging order” protection of the Wyoming LLC combined with the statutory asset protection of the Wyoming Trust. If someone sues the LLC, the assets in the Trust are generally safe; if someone sues you personally, it is very difficult for them to reach the assets inside the Trust/LLC structure.
- Anonymity: Wyoming is famous for privacy. By having a Trust own an LLC, you can often keep your name off public records entirely. The LLC filing will show the Trust as the owner, and since Wyoming does not require the beneficiaries of a trust to be publicly disclosed, your identity stays private.
- Probate Avoidance: Because the Trust owns the LLC, the business interest doesn’t have to go through a court-supervised probate process when the creator of the trust passes away. Ownership transfers seamlessly to the heirs according to the trust document.
A Quick Comparison
| Feature | Wyoming Statutory Trust | Wyoming LLC |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Purpose | Holding assets & Succession | Active business & Liability shield |
| Privacy | High (No public beneficiary list) | High (No public member list) |
| Governing Law | Wyo. Stat. § 17-23-101+ | Wyo. Stat. § 17-29-101+ |
Note: While this setup is powerful, it is more complex than a standard LLC. You will likely need a Trust Agreement and a Registered Agent in Wyoming to maintain the legal “nexus” required for these protections to hold up in court.
Would you like me to help you compare a Statutory Trust with a Wyoming Asset Protection Trust (WAPT) to see which fits your goals better?