We work on retainer. By choice, not for posture.
We do not offer free advisory beyond the initial exchange. Access to our team — and to the network of law firms, banks and agencies we have worked with for over forty years on the Swiss market — happens through an access retainer, fully credited against subsequent fees.
Why a retainer
Our agenda is the scarcest resource. A retainer is a civilised way to distinguish those who are genuinely at the decision stage from those seeking a second free opinion on information already available online — and it allows us to dedicate focused, confidential and qualified time to every admitted file. It is the same model used by the best Swiss law firms and independent family offices.
What is free
- All public content on the portal (over 100 pages, simulators, guides, glossary).
- The first written exchange via the confidential form — we verify case fit and potential pathway.
- A 20-30 minute orientation call, if the case is within our perimeter.
What requires a retainer
- Personalised feasibility analysis with figures on your case (forfait, exit tax, corporate structure).
- Compliance pre-screening and coordinated bank-shopping.
- Coordination of law firms, fiduciaries, notaries, real estate agencies and banks within our network.
- On-site visits in Lugano, property viewings, meetings with cantonal authorities.
- Any written document, opinion or memorandum.
Retainer tiers
- ·Written feasibility analysis
- ·Compliance pre-screening
- ·Forfait & exit-tax estimate
- ·1 readout call (60')
- ·End-to-end coordination to permit issuance
- ·Bank introduction (3 institutions)
- ·Coordinated real estate search
- ·Site visits in Lugano
- ·Annual rolling retainer
- ·Dedicated single point of contact
- ·Reserved to multi-jurisdiction families
- ·Coordination of existing SFO / MFO
Why our fees sit above the market
Our fees are deliberately positioned above market average. The reason is structural, not posturing: our mission is to be genuinely available to an exclusive and demanding clientele, and that requires — by definition — working with a limited, selected number of clients per year. Fewer files, more time per file, an agenda actually available when needed. Anyone seeking the lowest price will find excellent alternatives on the Ticino market: we are not among them.
Full credit
The retainer is not an additional cost: it is credited 100% against subsequent YOUSTART.ME Sagl fees. If you do not proceed beyond discovery, the amount covers the work actually performed and the written opinion remains yours.
Payment terms
SEPA or SWIFT transfer to a Swiss account in the name of YOUSTART.ME Sagl, invoice with Swiss VAT (8.1%) where applicable. No cash payments, no cryptocurrency payments (for AML compliance reasons).
Safeguards
Termination right at any time, fee cap stated in contract, upfront declaration of conflicts of interest, refund of any third-party retrocessions. Standard clauses.
Open the confidential channel. We will agree on the right tier together.
In the first written exchange we verify that your case is within our perimeter and propose the retainer best suited to your file. No commitment until signature.
Open confidential channel →Risposte rapide
- Why don't you offer a free preliminary consultation?
- We do, but limited to the first written exchange and a 20-30 minute orientation call. Beyond that, the team's time is reserved as a priority for clients on retainer.
- Is the retainer really 100% creditable?
- Yes. Every franc paid as retainer is fully deducted from the fees of subsequent YOUSTART.ME Sagl mandates. If you do not proceed beyond discovery, the retainer covers the work actually performed.
- What if I decide not to proceed after discovery?
- The written analysis and opinion remain yours. No automatic continuation, no penalty: the model does not lock you in.
- Do you accept cash or cryptocurrency?
- No, for AML compliance reasons: only SEPA / SWIFT transfer to a Swiss account in the name of YOUSTART.ME Sagl, with proper invoice and Swiss VAT where applicable.