Can a trust own a parent company with several subsidiaries?

Short answer: yes, it's possible. But the trust itself often doesn't appear on state business registries unless it's a statutory trust or you're using a nominee. The parent company's ownership might show the trust as member, which can defeat privcy if the trust docs are discoverable. You'd want to look into using a holding company with nominee managers or a series LLC if your state allows it ngl.

Following. I've heard Wyoming, and New Mexico are good for this, but I'm not a lawyer. Also, what's the point of a trust owning the parent vs. just you owning it? Asset protection?

The trust adds a layer of separation between you and the parent company. If structured properly, the trust can be irrevocable and discretionary so creditors can't easily reach the assets. But it's not a magic bullet. You still need to fund it correctly and avoid commingling. And yes, public records may still show the parent's registered agent and maybe the trustee if they're listed, though.

Also, if the trust is the member of the parent LLC, the parent's operating agreement might list the trustee's name. Some people use a trust protector or a nominee to keep that off public records. But that can add cost and complexity.

Bearer shares are a nightmare for compliance. Most banks won't touch them. And the IRS hates them. If prvacy is the goal, you might be better off with a multi-member LLC in a state that doesn't require member disclosure, and then have the trust as a member. But again, the operating agreement could still be discovered. It's all about how much you're Willing to spend on layering.

I've set up sometching similar: a Wyoming LLC owned by a Nevada trust, which owns a parent LLC that owns three subsidiaries in different states. It works, but the annual fees add up. And the registered agent for each entity needs to be consistent if you want to avoid confusion. Also, don't forget about the Corporate Transparency Act—beneficial ownership reporting might require you you to disclose the trustee or beneficiaries. That's a big privacy leak if you're not careful.

Good point about the CTA. As of 2024, many small entities have to file BOI reports. Trusts that own companies might be considered beneficial owners if they exercise substantial control. So the privacy advantage of a trust may be eroded unless you fit an exemption. Anyone know if a trust with a corporate trustee is exempt? Probably not.

So basically, you can do it, but the privacy is only as good as your state's laws and how much you want to spend on nominees and lawyers. Noted.

Also, if the parent company is a corporation, the shareholders might be listed in the annual reporrt in some states. LLCs are generally better for privacy because member info isn't always public. But again, operating agreements can be leaked. It's a cat-and-mouse game.

No problem. Just don't expect complete anonymity—if someone really wants to find you, they probably can. But for casual privacy, it's doable.