We live in a highly litigious society. More than 19 million new lawsuits are filed in the United States each and every year. Many seem frivolous, at best, but you never know what a judge or jury will decide. Wealthy individuals and families are particularly vulnerable, particularly if they are involved in business, medicine, law, real estate, or financial advice.
An asset protection plan should help you accomplish two primary goals: protect you and your spouse from predators looking to make a claim on your assets while you are alive, and protect your children’s inheritance against creditors and predators after you are gone. The latter can involve such issues as ensuring your child’s inheritance is safe should he or she get divorced. Similarly, your grandchildren may need protection to ensure they receive their inheritances if your child dies and your son-in-law or daughter-in-law remarries. Your children may even need protection from their own decisions if they are not ready or able to handle a large inheritance.
We help individuals, families, professionals, business owners, property owners, and others protect their assets against potential litigation, judgments, liens, and fraud. We also help clients structure their finances, real property and other assets in a way that minimizes exposure to potential creditors. We have significant experience with establishing domestic and offshore trusts, insurance, estate planning, and organizing investments to provide our clients with the greatest possible level of protection. And, as a result, enjoy the confidence that comes with knowing hard-earned assets are safe and secure.
We recognize that the best asset protection plans are the result of close collaboration with our clients, their existing advisors, and other professionals. We take the time to understand your concerns and goals, work closely with your advisors, and then design and implement a comprehensive, customized asset protection plan. One capable of protecting your assets for your enjoyment during your lifetime, as well as for the enjoyment of your heirs after you are gone.
Domestic Protection
You may be surprised to learn that some states make it easier to protect assets against creditors and predators than other states. Moving assets to states like these offers protection because it keeps them out of the reach of local courts that may be less “friendly.” We understand how different states treat different assets, and how to place them out of harm’s way in friendlier jurisdictions.
Foreign Protection
Moving assets overseas is effective because it keeps the assets out of the reach of local, state and federal courts. However, there are potential problems. A foreign jurisdiction that offers a safe haven now may lack the political infrastructure and stability necessary to keep the assets safe in the future. We have the experience, knowledge of international asset protection law and mastery of U.S. law to design and implement an asset protection plan that incorporates overseas protection.
Equity Stripping
Another effective asset protection strategy is to strip the equity from certain assets so that they have debt attached to them. This makes the asset much less attractive to creditors and predators. Equity stripping is a powerful asset protection strategy, and we have experience utilizing a number of equity stripping tools to protect our clients’ assets.
You have worked hard to get where you are today. We are ready, willing and eminently capable of protecting your wealth now and for generations to come. Contact us today for an initial consultation.
