Horst Wickinghoff
Senior New Business Manager
- HNWI
- Wealth Protection
Specialised Mandates
Services for HNWIs
Significant wealth requires more than just administration—it demands strategy, structure, and central oversight. We combine family office expertise with deep legal and tax knowledge to develop a comprehensive framework for you. One that brings together asset protection, succession planning, and international tax coordination. With Malta as your strategic anchor.
Since 2013 · Licensed CSP · Family Office Expertise
If you hold assets across borders, you know the challenge: multiple advisors in different jurisdictions, fragmented information, and no central overview. Every decision—whether selling a stake, buying property, or moving country—has legal and tax consequences in several places at once. Without a coordinated strategy, you risk gaps, double taxation, or unintended liabilities.
That is where our HNWI service comes in. We act as your central point of contact for all matters regarding wealth structuring, protection, and generational transfer. We do not just look at individual products; we look at the bigger picture. How do your holding company, trust, and residence strategy interact? Which structure protects your assets while remaining tax-efficient? How do you ensure the next generation is ready?
Malta offers a regulatory stable, EU-compliant framework for these questions, combined with an attractive tax environment. As a licensed Corporate Service Provider (CSP) in Malta, we combine local implementation skills with international structuring experience—discreet, legally sound, and built for the long term.
Services
- Individual Risk Analysis and Asset Mapping
- Systematic review of your entire asset situation—liability risks, tax exposure, existing structures, and vulnerabilities.
- Establishing Family Office Functions
- Organisation as a Single or Virtual Family Office with central control points, governance systems, and clear responsibilities.
- Wealth Structuring via Legal Vehicles
- Design and setup of holdings, trusts, foundations, and participation models—tailored to your goals, jurisdictions, and asset classes.
- International Tax Coordination
- Optimising your total tax burden across borders, taking into account Double Tax Treaties, CRS, and EU regulations.
- Succession Planning and Generational Transfer
- Legally sound transfer concepts with family governance, rulebooks for the next generation, and clear asset distribution.
- Residence and Relocation Strategy
- Advice on optimal residence planning with a focus on Malta Residency—covering tax, immigration law, and practicalities.
- Protection against Third-Party Claims
- Structures that secure assets against risks from divorce, insolvency, creditor claims, or political instability.
- Coordination of External Partners
- Collaboration with your existing advisors, banks, and service providers—or access to our network of lawyers, tax advisors, and private banking specialists.
Who benefits
- Entrepreneurial families with complex shareholding structures or significant exit proceeds needing a central wealth strategy
- Asset holders with property, stakes, or bank accounts in multiple countries seeking oversight and coordination
- Families looking to preserve wealth across generations and pass it on in a structured way
- Individuals with elevated liability risks—due to professional exposure, public profile, or business activities
- HNWIs living in or planning to leave high-tax jurisdictions who want to optimise their international tax position
- Clients who want to review and consolidate existing structures (holdings, trusts, foundations)
Why DW&P
- We think like a Family Officer but work with the legal and tax depth of a specialist law firm. That is a difference you will notice in practice.
- Licensed CSP in Malta—our structures have substance, meet regulatory requirements, and are built to last. No shell companies.
- Experience with international assets: from private equity and corporate stakes to real estate portfolios and special assets. We understand the tax and legal nuances of every asset class.
- Personal support at partner level. You will not be passed down to junior teams or face changing contact persons. Discretion is not just a promise here; it is how we work.
- Coordination from a single source: We connect the dots between jurisdictions, advisors, and asset classes—so you do not have to keep track of it all yourself.
- Substance over schemes: We work exclusively within applicable laws and international standards (OECD, EU, CRS) using robust structures. No aggressive tax engineering.
Services for HNWIs – Our capabilities
Risk Analysis
Systematic assessment of your asset situation, liability risks, and tax exposure.
Family Office Setup
Establishment and organisation of individual Family Office structures—as a Single or Virtual Office.
Wealth Structuring
Design of legally sound holdings, trusts, foundations, and participation models.
Tax Coordination
International optimisation of tax burdens across borders and jurisdictions.
Succession Planning
Generational transfer with governance concepts, handover rules, and asset distribution.
Residence Strategy
Advice on optimal residence planning with a focus on Malta Residency.
Asset Protection
Safeguarding against risks from divorce, insolvency, creditor access, or political instability.
Advisor Coordination
Central management of all external partners: lawyers, tax advisors, banks, private banking.
Looking to structure your wealth holistically and secure it for the long term?
Book a free initial consultation—discreet, non-binding, and at partner level.
- Discreet
- Partner-led
- Holistic approach
Services for HNWIs – How it works
- 01
Initial Consultation
Confidential analysis of your asset situation, objectives, and existing structures. Always free of charge.
- 02
Structural Planning
Development of an individual wealth strategy: legal vehicles, tax frameworks, jurisdiction selection, and governance concepts.
- 03
Structuring and Setup
Establishment of the chosen structures—holdings, trusts, foundations, Family Office organisation—including all necessary documents and registrations.
- 04
Integration
Incorporation into existing wealth planning, coordination with external advisors and banks, setup of reporting and control systems.
- 05
Ongoing Support
Continuous guidance, adaptation to regulatory changes, optimisation, and strategic development—across generations.
Services for HNWIs – Your contacts
Nathaniel Borg
Partner
- HNWI
- Auditing
Roderick Galea
Managing Partner
- HNWI
- Financial Reporting
FAQ
Is wealth structuring via Malta legal?
Yes. Malta is an EU member state with a full regulatory framework that meets international standards (OECD, CRS, FATF). We work exclusively with legally robust structures—transparent, compliant, and audit-proof.
What is the difference between a Holding, a Trust, and a Foundation?
That depends on your objectives. A holding company is suitable for managing participations and consolidating profits. A trust offers asset protection and flexible succession arrangements. A foundation can permanently dedicate assets to a defined purpose. We explain the differences in detail and recommend the structure that fits your situation.
Can you review and optimise existing structures?
Absolutely. Many clients come to us with legacy structures that no longer fit their current asset situation or the regulatory landscape. We analyse your existing setup, identify weaknesses, and restructure where it makes sense.
When should I start with wealth structuring?
Sooner than most people think. Many protective measures and tax optimisations cannot be implemented retroactively or under time pressure. If you are already facing a divorce, a creditor claim, or a tax issue, your room for manoeuvre is significantly limited. Prevention is key.
Do you work with my existing advisors?
Yes, and that is important to us. We do not replace your tax advisor or lawyer in your home country—we complement and coordinate them. International structures specifically require a central point to hold all the threads together. We take on that role.
Do I need a Family Office?
Not every asset holder needs a formal Family Office. But above a certain level of complexity—multiple jurisdictions, diverse asset classes, succession issues—a central coordination function is not a luxury, but a necessity. Whether as your own Single Family Office or a Virtual Family Office solution through our firm: we find the format that suits your needs.
Client Voices
What trust looks like in practice.
Cross-Border Expertise
Carl Albrecht WaldsteinTranslatedGoogle Review
