That makes things much simpler. Since there are no bank loans or “due-on-sale” clauses to worry about, you can proceed with the transfer as a purely internal administrative matter.
To move your Michigan corporate stock to your Wyoming Statutory Trust (WST), follow this specific “Paper Trail” to ensure the protection holds up if ever challenged in court.
1. The “Paper Trail” of Ownership
Since you are the sole owner, you are wearing two hats: The Individual (Transferor) and The Trustee (Transferee).
- The Stock Power: This is the most critical document. It acts as the “Deed” for your shares. You sign it as an individual, transferring your 100% interest to the WST.
- The Corporate Resolution: You sign this as the “Sole Director” of the Michigan corporation, officially recognizing and approving the change in the stock ledger.
- The New Stock Certificate: You issue Certificate #2 to “[Your Name] as Trustee of the [Name] Wyoming Statutory Trust.”
2. Maintaining the “Corporate Veil”
To keep the asset protection strong, you must maintain a clear separation between your personal life, the Michigan Corp, and the Wyoming Trust.
- Tax Treatment: Usually, a WST is a “pass-through” entity. This means the income from the Michigan Corp still flows to your personal tax return, but the legal title stays in Wyoming.
- The Wyoming Address: Even if you live in Michigan, your WST needs a Wyoming Registered Agent. This is your legal “hook” in Wyoming that allows you to use their superior laws.
- The Minute Book: Keep a physical or digital folder that contains the original Michigan Articles of Incorporation, your new Resolution, and the Stock Power. If a creditor ever sues you personally, this folder is your “shield” proving you no longer own the company—the Trust does.
3. Privacy vs. Disclosure (2026 Rules)
While you are keeping this “proudly private” from the general public, remember the distinction between State and Federal levels:
| Level | Requirement | Privacy Status |
|---|---|---|
| State (Michigan) | Annual Report | Private. You do not list shareholders on the MI Annual Report. |
| State (Wyoming) | Annual Report | Private. WSTs generally do not disclose beneficiaries to the public. |
| Federal (FinCEN) | BOI Report | Confidential. You must report the change in ownership to FinCEN within 30 days. This is not a public database. |
4. Summary of the “Doctrine” Structure
Your structure will now look like this:
- The Asset: The Michigan Corporation (operating the business).
- The Owner: The Wyoming Statutory Trust (holding the shares).
- The Controller: You (acting as Trustee).
Final “Pro-Tip” for the WST
Since Wyoming Statutory Trusts are governed by the Wyoming Statutory Trust Act, make sure your Trust Agreement explicitly states that it is organized under Wyo. Stat. § 17-23-101. This ensures that if a Michigan judge ever looks at the case, they are forced to look at Wyoming’s laws regarding the “separateness” of the entity.
Since you are moving stock, do you already have your Wyoming Registered Agent set up, or are you still looking for a service to provide that “legal footprint” in Wyoming?