Asset Holding Vehicles
Clear legal support for asset holding vehicles in the UAE, helping you protect your rights, family, assets and future. With senior legal
Asset Holding Vehicles (Individuals)
Protecting wealth through the right legal structures matters. We advise on and set up Shariah-compliant Foundations for succession and asset protection, and establish Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) for real estate holdings, investment structures, and risk isolation.
In-depth description
For individuals looking to hold assets, protect wealth, or structure their affairs in a tax-efficient and legally robust way, the UAE offers several powerful vehicles beyond simple personal ownership. We advise on and implement two of the most commonly used structures.
Shariah-Compliant Foundation Setup
For clients seeking a succession planning tool that aligns with Islamic principles, we specialize in setting up Foundations. Often established in the DIFC or ADGM, a Foundation acts like a trust for asset protection and succession but is structured to be fully compliant with Shari’ah law, providing a powerful, flexible, and faith-aligned planning vehicle.
Scope of work
- Conduct a detailed consultation on using a Foundation for asset protection and succession in compliance with Islamic principles.
- Advise on the optimal jurisdiction (e.g., DIFC, ADGM).
- Draft the Foundation’s Charter and By-Laws to reflect the founder’s wishes and Shari’ah compliance.
- Manage the entire registration process with the chosen authority.
- Assist with the transfer of assets into the newly established Foundation.
Deliverables
- A bespoke, Shari’ah-compliant Foundation Charter and By-Laws.
- The officially registered Foundation.
- Assistance with the initial asset transfer.
Pricing
- AED 40,000 and hourly rate (Fixed Fee for the set-up and hourly rate for the advisory services)
SPV Setup
An SPV (Special Purpose Vehicle) is a legally separate entity created to isolate financial and legal risk, often used for specific transactions, asset holding, or investment purposes. Our SPV setup service guides clients through the formation process, ensuring regulatory compliance and structuring the entity to meet unique financial, operational, and strategic goals. We provide comprehensive support from planning to registration, enabling secure and efficient operations within the chosen jurisdiction.
Scope of work
- Advise on the optimal jurisdiction (e.g., ADGM, DIFC) for the SPV based on its intended purpose (e.g., asset holding, financing).
- Structure and incorporate the SPV in full compliance with the chosen authority’s regulations.
- Draft the SPV’s constitutional documents and advise on its governance framework.
- Assist with the opening of the SPV’s bank account.
Deliverables
- The fully incorporated and licensed SPV.
- A complete set of constitutional and corporate documents.
Pricing
- AED 35,000 onward (Fixed Fee. Fees depends on the use of the SPV (real estate acquisition by a single owner by a pool of investors, private equity, etc.))
Is your wealth held in the most protected structure?
Do you own property or investments in your personal name?
Do you want to ring-fence a specific investment or asset?
Are you planning to pass wealth to the next generation?
Do you need a Shariah-compliant succession structure?
Frequently asked questions
Generally yes. DIFC and ADGM are internationally recognised financial centres with sophisticated legal frameworks. Their foundations and trusts are accepted in most major jurisdictions, though specific recognition in some countries (such as France for succession purposes) may require additional legal steps.
Key contacts:
Romain Astruc
Managing Partner – Generalist, Advisory & Litigation
Mehdi Al Ghafari
Associate – Corporate, Commercial & Litigation
Gabriel Elmarzouki
Associate – Corporate, Commercial & Litigation
Other services you might need
Asset holding structures connect directly to estate planning, tax optimisation and wealth protection. These services work alongside each other.
Foundation Setup - incl. Shariah-Compliant Structures
Asset Protection & Tax Planning for Individuals
Estate Planning - Wills, Foundations & Trusts
WHAT SET US APART
Why ASTRUC & Co
The right holding structure depends on your assets, your family and your goals across jurisdictions. We design for all three.
1.
Cross-border fluency
Asset holding structures must work across every jurisdiction where you hold assets or where your heirs will be. We design structures that are effective in the UAE
2.
Senior counsel only
Structuring decisions have long-term consequences. They are made by senior lawyers with direct experience of DIFC and ADGM foundations, trusts and holding entities
3.
Tax & legal aligned
Legal structures without tax planning are incomplete. We work across both dimensions to ensure your holding vehicle achieves its intended protection without creating
More than legal counsel
With you, all the way
Life in the UAE brings extraordinary opportunities — and equally complex legal realities. Whether you’re relocating your family, navigating a divorce across jurisdictions, or structuring an inheritance that spans continents, you deserve a legal partner who understands both the technicalities and the human side of what you’re going through. At ASTRUC & Co, we treat every client’s situation as if it were our own.
From our offices in Dubai to our network spanning Riyadh, Paris, and Luxembourg, we bring senior-level attention to every matter — personal or financial. We believe the best legal advice is honest, clear, and delivered by someone who genuinely cares about the outcome. That’s why our clients stay with us, and why they come back when life presents its next chapter.
Ready to move forward?
Talk to our team about your situation. We’ll walk you through your options and help you move forward with clarity.
