Abstract
Swiss family foundations remain subject to controversial debate. At the core of a decade-old discussion lies, essentially, the question whether they continue to remain a ‘wallflower’ or if they could, instead, blossom by revitalizing them as an eligible estate planning tool. On top of a restrictive judicial approach, a new registration requirement in Switzerland might be regarded as a further impediment for Swiss family foundations since their confidentiality privilege has now been removed. However, this move towards an enhanced governance regime could, in fact, allow for a new and holistic approach ultimately resulting in a liberalization of Swiss family foundations.
Jakob, Dominique