Generally no, if the family office manages only the family's own wealth. There is no dedicated family office licence in Bangladesh. The vehicles used, such as a holding company or trust, must be registered under the relevant law, and the family office must comply with tax, company, labour and anti-money laundering obligations. However, if it begins managing funds for people outside the family, raising money from others or offering investment advice publicly, BSEC licensing rules or other financial regulation may apply. We review the intended activities to confirm where the regulatory boundaries lie. Records of activities should be kept.

There is no single best structure. Many families use a private holding company owning shares in the operating companies, with family members holding shares in the holding company under a shareholder agreement and family constitution. Others use trusts for particular branches or assets, or keep land in individual names with clear documentation. The choice depends on the family's size, assets, personal law, tax, the regulatory status of businesses such as banks or insurers, and the need for lender consents. We compare options and costs before recommending a family office structure. Lender and regulator consents may also be needed.

Under Muslim personal law, a deceased person's estate is distributed to heirs in fixed shares, and a will can generally dispose of no more than one third of the estate, and not in favour of an heir, without the other heirs' consent. This limits how far a founder can choose successors through a will alone. Lifetime transfers by heba, structured trusts or waqf and corporate arrangements can provide flexibility, but must be genuine, documented and registered. We design family office arrangements that work with Muslim inheritance rules, starting with a map of personal and company-held assets.

Residents of Bangladesh are subject to strict exchange control, and acquiring foreign assets or investing abroad generally requires permission from Bangladesh Bank under the foreign exchange rules, with limited exceptions. Unauthorised foreign holdings can expose individuals to penalties and investigation, so advice should come before any foreign account is opened. Non-resident Bangladeshis have more freedom, depending on where they live and the source of funds. Any structure for a family with members in both categories must reflect these differences, including separate accounts and records. We advise on lawful routes, approvals and the regularisation of historic positions where the law allows.

A family constitution typically sets out the family's shared values and goals, who counts as a family member for ownership and governance, how shares may be transferred, who may work in the business and on what terms, how directors and senior executives are chosen, dividend and reinvestment policies, support for education and philanthropy, and a process for resolving disputes. It is usually not fully legally binding on its own, so key provisions should be reflected in company articles, shareholder agreements and trust deeds. We draft constitutions that fit the family and are practical to apply. Regular reviews keep it current.

Clear governance does most of the work. Families who agree in advance how decisions are made, how family employees are paid, how dividends are distributed and how a member can exit tend to have fewer disputes. Independent directors, regular family meetings, transparent reporting and a staged dispute resolution process, such as negotiation, mediation and then arbitration, help resolve disagreements early. Properly registered documents, with minutes, valuations and signed family agreements, reduce the scope for later challenges in court. We help families design these mechanisms and, when needed, mediate or represent them in disputes involving family office assets.

Yes, in suitable cases. A private trust under the Trusts Act 1882 can hold shares and other assets for named beneficiaries, managed by trustees under a trust deed, and trusts dealing with immovable property generally require registration. A waqf dedicates property permanently to religious, charitable or family purposes recognised by Muslim law and is administered under the waqf legislation and supervision of the Waqf Administrator. Each has different tax, control and permanence consequences. We advise on whether a trust or waqf fits the family's goals and draft and register the documents. Registration and stamp costs should be budgeted.

Bangladesh has no special tax regime for family offices. A holding company is taxed as a company under the Income Tax Act 2023, while individuals are taxed on their own income and may be liable to a surcharge based on net wealth. Dividends, capital gains on share and land transfers, stamp duty on gifts and transfers, and withholding taxes all need to be considered when restructuring. Trusts and waqf have their own treatment. We work with the family's tax advisers so that the family office structure is efficient and compliant, and so that returns are filed correctly.