Comparison
Nevis LLC vs. Wyoming LLC.
Both have exceptional charging-order statutes. The difference is whether a U.S. court can reach the entity at all.
Short answer: Wyoming has the strongest LLC statute in the United States and is inexpensive, familiar and easy to bank. Nevis adds something Wyoming cannot, the entity itself sits outside U.S. jurisdiction, so a creditor must proceed in Nevis, historically after posting a bond. Wyoming for domestic assets and operating businesses; Nevis when the goal is putting distance between the asset and a U.S. court.
Side by side
| Wyoming LLC | Nevis LLC | |
|---|---|---|
| Charging order exclusive | Yes; foreclosure barred | Yes; among the strongest anywhere |
| Single-member protected | Yes, express statute | Yes |
| Unique feature | Protection extends to the LLC’s own assets | Creditor must post a bond and litigate in Nevis |
| Subject to U.S. court jurisdiction | Yes | No, directly |
| Cost | Very low | Substantially higher |
| Banking | Straightforward | More difficult |
| U.S. tax reporting | Ordinary | Additional international reporting |
| Best for | U.S. real estate, operating businesses, holding structures | Liquid assets, paired with an offshore trust |
The practical point
A Wyoming LLC holding California real estate is still reachable through a California court, because the property is there. No entity statute changes where dirt sits. Wyoming’s value is that the charging order is exclusive, foreclosure is barred, and single-member LLCs are expressly protected, which is more than almost any other state offers.
A Nevis LLC holding liquid assets in a non-U.S. account is a different proposition, because reaching it requires a creditor to proceed in Nevis under Nevis procedure. That is why the Nevis LLC pairs so naturally with a Nevis trust. It is also why the Nevis LLC does very little for U.S. real property.
Most plans use both
Wyoming LLCs for U.S. real estate and operating businesses; an offshore trust owning a Nevis LLC for liquid assets. See Wyoming asset protection and Nevis trust and LLC. Formation and ongoing compliance in all 50 states is handled through our affiliate Tresp Corporate Services.
Which is right for you
Match the entity to the asset. Domestic, illiquid, operating, Wyoming. Liquid and genuinely movable, Nevis, inside an offshore trust. We work across all of these jurisdictions and have since 1992, which means we can tell you candidly when the cheaper option is the right one, or when neither is. To talk it through, call (858) 755-6672.
Before you choose on price
Jurisdiction is the last decision, not the first. Timing, funding, and control determine whether any of these structures holds, see our fraudulent conveyance page and the case-law library. A cheaper jurisdiction that fits your facts beats an expensive one that does not. This page is informational and is not legal advice.
Related resources
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Common questions
Frequently asked
Is a Nevis LLC better than a Wyoming LLC?
For liquid assets held outside the United States, Nevis adds real protection because the entity is outside U.S. jurisdiction and a creditor must proceed in Nevis, historically after posting a bond. For U.S. real estate or an operating business, Wyoming is better, cheaper, easier to bank, and with the strongest LLC statute in the country.
Can a Wyoming LLC protect out-of-state real estate?
Only partially. Real property remains subject to the courts of the state where it sits, regardless of where the owning entity is formed. Wyoming's statute governs the membership interest, not the dirt.
This website is for general informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice or create an attorney-client relationship. Every situation is different; please consult a qualified attorney about your specific circumstances.
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