Why Traditional Models Fall Short

Most estate planning and fiduciary services rely on fragmented, transactional models—billable hours, asset-based fees, or fixed retainers—none of which are designed to align with your outcomes. Attorneys deliver documents, not long-term governance. CPAs provide compliance, not architecture. Trustees charge more as your assets grow, regardless of the value they add. These models create inefficiencies, duplication, and blind spots—often penalizing success and offering little accountability beyond static paperwork.

Why Our Model Wins

Frontier Capital Trust combines elite estate design with dynamic, performance-tied stewardship. We build fully integrated fiduciary systems—from entity structuring to trust simulation and tax optimization—and stay engaged long after the documents are signed. Our hybrid pricing ensures transparency: a flat fee for architectural design, followed by a percentage of verified tax savings. That means we only win when you do. The result is a fiduciary relationship rooted in alignment, precision, and measurable outcomes—not paperwork or process for its own sake.

Why Can’t Licensed Attorneys Create Private Non-Statutory Trusts, and Do You Need One?

Licensed attorneys are regulated by state bar associations, which require them to operate within statutory legal frameworks. Since private non-statutory trusts, including 508(c)(1)(A) religious trusts, do not derive their authority from statutory law but rather from contract law and constitutional rights (Article I, Section 10, U.S. Constitution), most attorneys are restricted from drafting them. Attorneys must comply with state trust codes, IRS-recognized tax structures (such as 501(c)(3) nonprofits), and statutory guidelines, which often do not recognize private trust entities that operate outside of statutory regulation. Additionally, bar licensing rules prohibit attorneys from engaging in legal services that are considered outside the scope of statutory practice, which could lead to disciplinary actions, liability issues, or loss of licensure.

Because of these restrictions, individuals seeking to establish a private non-statutory trust often work with trust consultants and private trust specialists, who focus on contract-based and common-law trust structures and are not bound by statutory limitations. However, there are certain situations where working with a licensed attorney may be necessary or beneficial.

Do You Need a Licensed Attorney?

You may not need a licensed attorney if:

• You are creating a private irrevocable non-statutory trust, such as a 508(c)(1)(A) religious trust, contract trust, or private family trust.
• You want to retain full control over the structuring of your trust without subjecting it to statutory oversight.
• You seek a private trust structure that operates outside of statutory constraints, allowing for greater privacy, asset protection, and control.
• You wish to avoid excessive legal costs associated with statutory compliance requirements.

However, you may need a licensed attorney if:

• You require a statutory trust, such as a revocable living trust, testamentary trust, or Medicaid asset protection trust, which must comply with state trust laws.
• You are dealing with complex estate planning issues, such as probate, legal disputes, or contested wills, where court-recognized statutory trusts are necessary.
• You are involved in a legal proceeding where your trust must be validated under statutory law (e.g., probate court, litigation involving statutory tax exemptions).
• You need to structure a charitable organization under IRS 501(c)(3) statutes, as opposed to a 508(c)(1)(A) religious trust.
• You require specialized legal opinions on regulatory matters, such as tax compliance, asset transfers in statutory contexts, or business structuring under state corporate laws.

Our Partnership with Law Firms

Since private non-statutory trusts may not fit every client’s exact needs, we have partnered with several law firms that specialize in statutory estate planning, tax law, and business structuring for cases where a private trust may not be the best solution. Our legal partners assist in situations such as:

• Estate litigation and contested wills, where statutory legal representation is required.
• Business entity formation, including complex multi-tiered corporate structures.
• Medicaid planning and asset protection trusts that must comply with statutory requirements.
• IRS compliance and tax dispute resolution, where formal legal opinions or filings are necessary.
• Statutory charitable organizations (501(c)(3)) for those who prefer a traditional IRS-recognized nonprofit.

If your situation requires a licensed attorney, we can guide you to the right legal professionals who understand both statutory and non-statutory trust structures and can help you determine the best legal solution for your needs. However, if a private non-statutory trust is the right fit, our trust consultants specialize in creating, structuring, and ensuring compliance for private irrevocable trust entities, including 508(c)(1)(A) faith-based trusts.