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Asset Protection Services

Asset Protection Law

Asset Protection Team
Professional Service

Asset Protection, also known as Debtor-creditor Law, is a collection of legal techniques and a body of law that focuses on protecting assets from individuals and businesses from civil money judgments. Asset protection planning is designed to protect assets from creditors, without perjury and tax avoidance.

Key Takeaways

Asset protection involves protecting personal and business assets from civil money judgments
Asset protection is similar to bankruptcy: filing for bankruptcy is preferred for those with little assets, whereas asset protection plans are more practical when the debtor has significant assets
The four threshold factors evaluated in each asset protection case include the identity of the person involved in asset protection planning, the claim's nature, the identity of the creditor, and the nature of assets
In the United States, asset protection laws vary across all 50 states
Corporations, partnerships, and trusts are some of the most common legal instruments used to shield assets

What is Asset Protection Law?

Asset protection planning refers to the various methods that can be used to protect assets against liabilities from elsewhere. It is not to be confused with Limiting Liability. This refers to the ability to limit or stop liability for the asset or activity that it arises.

Asset protection is similar to bankruptcy. The bankruptcy route is preferred if a debtor does not have enough assets. Asset protection is more practical if the debtor has substantial assets.

Four Threshold Factors

These are the four threshold factors, which are either implicitly or explicitly analyzed in every asset protection case:

The Identity of the Person

Is the debtor an individual? If so, is the spouse also liable? Is it possible to make a transmutation agreement if the spouse is not liable?

The Claim's Nature

Is there any specific claim or is the asset protection taken to protect yourself from lawsuits? What assets are enumerable by the judgment if the claim is reduced to a judgment?

The Identity of the Creditor

How aggressive is the creditor? Is the creditor a government agency or an individual? Is the taxing authority?

The Nature of the Assets

In what manner are assets exempted from creditors' claims? The homestead exemption and the exemption of assets in qualified plans.

Asset Protection Law in the US

Certain assets are exempted from creditors by the United States federal bankruptcy laws. The laws vary from state to state, but often include exclusions for certain equity in personal residences, individual retirement accounts, clothing, or other personal property.

Some states permit asset protection for self-settled trusts (trusts in which the creator or settlor of the trust is included as a possible discretionary beneficiary), while others do not.

Domestic vs. Offshore Asset Protection Trusts

Domestic asset protection trusts protect significant assets from creditors within the United States legal framework.

Offshore asset protection trusts are similar to domestic asset protection trusts except they are formed in a foreign country. Foreign asset protection trusts require creditors to adhere to the laws of the government agencies in the country in which the trust was formed.

Asset-Protection Strategies

Corporations, partnerships, and trusts are some of the most common legal instruments used to shield assets. Your assets and the type of creditors that are most likely to make claims against them will determine the best structure for you.

Corporations

Corporations are a great asset-protection tool because they have limited liability for their directors, officers, and shareholders. Corporate principals are not personally liable for corporate debts, breach of contract, or personal injuries to third parties caused by the corporation.

S Corporations

An S corporation is similar in structure to a C corp, except that it can make a tax-exempt special IRS tax choice to allow corporate profits to pass through the company and be taxed at the shareholder level.

Limited Liability Corporations

This entity was created due to the additional formalities that were imposed on S-corporations, providing flexibility while maintaining liability protection.

Limited Partnership

A limited partnership consists of one or two general partners as well as one or several limited partners. Limited partners are not personally liable for any debts or obligations of the partnership, other than their contribution to it.

Asset Protection Trusts

An asset protection trust is an agreement between whoever created the trust (the settlor or grantor), and who will manage the assets of that trust (the trustee).

Internal and External Claims on Assets

Internal Claims

Creditors can only sue for internal claims if they have the assets of one entity (e.g., a corporation). If a corporation owns real property, and someone falls on it, the liability of the injured party is to pursue the assets of the corporation.

External Claims

External claims can be made against you as well as the assets of an entity. If you were the owner of a truck belonging to the same corporation and you negligently drove it into pedestrians, you could be sued by the injured as well as the corporation.

Important Considerations:

Providers of personal services are one exception to the limited liability of corporate directors. Personal service liability covers work performed for or on behalf of another person by lawyers, accountants, and financial professionals.

A corporation can only offer liability protection if it is a distinct and separate entity from its officers or shareholders. A creditor may try to show that a corporation does not act as a separate entity, but rather as its alter ego or officers.

Importance of Asset Protection Planning

A comprehensive asset protection plan aims to reduce or eliminate risk by protecting your personal and business assets from creditors. Many small-business owners don't realize the risks and options that could harm their business.

A plan to protect your assets and deter potential claimants is called asset protection and can be put in place before a lawsuit or claim. Asset-protection strategies use separate legal structures such as corporations and partnerships.

The Bottom Line

The creation and implementation of a comprehensive asset protection plan can affect almost all aspects of your business. The plan's purpose is to safeguard your business assets within your business operations. It is possible to protect your business by using legal concepts and entities that are honest and lawful.

It is not asset protection planning to deceive other businesses or individuals. To create an asset protection plan that is most effective for you, consider hiring an asset-protection expert.

Protect Your Assets Today

Don't wait until it's too late. Our asset protection experts can help you create a comprehensive plan to safeguard your wealth and business interests from potential creditors and legal challenges.

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