This is a sophisticated “advanced” move that professional asset protection planners often use. Since you are the sole owner of the Michigan corporation and you already have the Wyoming Statutory Trust (WST) registered, using a Series structure is a powerful way to “silo” your assets.
Here is the breakdown of why you might use a Series and how to set it up.
1. What is a “Series” in a Wyoming Statutory Trust?
Under Wyoming law (Wyo. Stat. § 17-23-108), a Statutory Trust can be divided into “Series” (often called “Cells”).
- The “Master” Trust: This is the entity you already registered.
- The “Series” (The Silo): You can create “Series A” to hold your Michigan Corp stock, “Series B” to hold crypto, and “Series C” to hold real estate.
- The Legal Wall: If someone sues “Series B” (the crypto), they cannot touch the assets in “Series A” (your Michigan Corp). They are legally separate even though they fall under the same “Master” trust umbrella.
2. Should you do this? (Pros vs. Cons)
| Pros of a Series | Cons of a Series |
|---|---|
| Asset Siloing: If you start a second business, it won’t be at risk if the Michigan Corp fails. | Administrative Burden: You must keep separate records and bank accounts for each series. |
| Privacy: You can name a series something generic like “Portfolio Series 001.” | Legal Complexity: You must ensure the “doctrine” explicitly allows for series separation. |
| Cost Effective: Usually, you don’t have to pay a separate Wyoming registration fee for each series. | Piercing Risk: If you “commingle” funds (mix money between series), a judge can ignore the walls. |
3. How to Set Up the Series for Your Stock
Since your shares are “uncertificated” (on a ledger), here is the flow:
- Amend the Doctrine: Ensure your Wyoming Trust Agreement has “Series Language.” If it doesn’t, you must sign an amendment to the trust adding the ability to create separate series.
- The Designation: You sign a private document called a “Designation of Series A.” This document officially creates the silo.
- The Transfer: You sign the Assignment of Interest (that we discussed earlier), but instead of transferring the Michigan stock to “The WST,” you transfer it to “[Trustee Name], as Trustee of [WST Name] – Series A.”
- Update the Michigan Ledger: The new owner on your Michigan ledger must specifically include the “Series A” designation.
4. Running it through a “Separate Entity”
You asked if it should be run by a separate entity. Many people place a Wyoming LLC inside the Series to act as the manager.
- Structure: [You] → [Trustee of WST] → [Series A] → [Wyoming LLC] → [Michigan Corp Shares].
- Why do this? This is the “Double-Fortress.” The LLC provides a business-law shield, and the Trust provides a trust-law shield. It makes it nearly impossible for a creditor to find or reach the Michigan business.
5. The “Proudly Private” 2026 Warning (FinCEN)
If you create a Series or a Separate Entity (like an LLC) to hold the stock, you have a 2026 legal requirement:
- The BOI Update: You must update your FinCEN filing for the Michigan Corp to show the Series as the owner.
- The New Filing: If you create a Wyoming LLC to hold the series assets, that LLC also needs its own BOI filing.
Recommendation
If the Michigan corporation is your only major asset, a Series might be overkill. You can just transfer the stock to the “Master” Trust.
However, if you plan to buy more companies, real estate, or high-risk assets, you should absolutely set up Series A now. It “future-proofs” your doctrine so that a problem with a future house or car doesn’t sink your Michigan corporation.
[!TIP]
The Series Rule: To keep the protection, your Michigan Corp should pay dividends directly into a bank account held in the name of “WST Series A,” not into your personal account or the “Master” trust account.
Do you have other assets (like rental property or high-value equipment) that you might want to put into their own separate “silos” later?