Trustee Explains Cross-Border Family Asset Planning
A Hong Kong trustee outlined how it administers trusts for families holding assets across borders, from property and yachts to digital assets and gold.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Financial Planning
Kavi Harilela, Director at Hong Kong-based independent trustee FGA Trust, explained the firm's approach to families holding international assets at the Hubbis Wealth Planning & Structuring Forum - Hong Kong 2026. The discussion centered on how the trustee begins with a conversation about family intentions before designing trust arrangements.
Why it matters
Families with assets spread across several jurisdictions often face complex ownership and succession questions that a single-country structure may not address. Understanding how a trustee gathers client objectives first can help households evaluate whether a trust fits their planning needs.
FGA Trust administers property, shares, investments, digital assets, art, physical gold, and trust arrangements covering aircraft and yachts. Specific pricing, minimum account sizes, and comparative performance against other trustees were not disclosed.
The players
Kavi Harilela
Director at FGA Trust who spoke at the forum about how the trustee serves families with international assets.
FGA Trust
Hong Kong-based independent trustee that administers trusts for clients holding property, investments, digital assets, art, gold, aircraft and yachts.
The details
Harilela described an online portal where clients give instructions, make requests and view statements, and said the trustee works alongside insurance brokers, investment managers, legal counsel and tax advisers. Hong Kong's common-law framework and international financial links were cited as relevant to the structures it administers.
Timeline
- 2026: Hubbis Wealth Planning & Structuring Forum - Hong Kong session held.
Market Landscape
Hong Kong's common-law trust framework has positioned the city as a hub for independent trustees serving families with assets across Asia, Europe and North America. Trustees operating there increasingly bundle custody, reporting and advisory coordination for clients whose holdings span several jurisdictions.
Families considering a trust should ask how a trustee will document client intentions, what reporting access they will have, and how the trustee coordinates with existing legal and tax advisers. Costs and minimum requirements vary by provider and should be confirmed directly before any commitment.
The takeaway
Before setting up cross-border trusts, clarify your family's goals first, since a responsible trustee will start there rather than with a product. Compare how each provider handles reporting, adviser coordination and fees.
Further reading
Explore more on Financial Planning to see how families structure trusts and estate arrangements.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Hubbis.
