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ASSET PROTECTION

Asset Protection Trusts
Asset Protection Trusts are an integral part of Asset Protection, Creditor Deterrence, and Estate Planning. These flexible legal structures are specifically designed to frustrate potential creditor attack. They are frequently used by individuals with substantial net worth who own closely held businesses, or professionals (doctors, lawyers, stockbrokers). Sometimes they are used in anticipation of a marriage or a change in marital status. They are also used in conjunction with other legal entities as a means to pass on a closely held or family business (to the next generation) while adding potentially fatal creditor barriers.

These trusts frequently take the form of a "Foreign Grantor Trust" for tax purposes, and are designed to be "tax neutral". (There are tax reporting requirements for these types of trusts) Their value is in the area of asset protection from creditor attack, not tax savings. They are custom designed plans intended to meet specific client requirements. These trusts are not "cookie cutter" efforts. The plans are complex and typically involve one or more business entities, frequently including both domestic and foreign components. These plans are not for everyone. Depending on your particular financial and economic situation, you may wish to adopt other estate planning strategies.


What is Asset Protection?

Asset Protection Overview

Asset Protection Trusts

Asset Protection Summary
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The Shift From Secrecy to Disclosure

In the recent past, it was not uncommon to include offshore banking services as part of an integrated asset protection plan. The offshore aspect was regarded as particularly attractive to individuals seeking greater privacy and confidentiality in their financial affairs, and the potential tax savings added to its appeal as well. But these protective practices of yesterday are no longer a guaranteed option in today's world. The element of confidentiality has been severely curtailed in most foreign banking transactions for important reasons. The growing threat of global terrorism, recent money laundering scandals, and controversy surrounding many of the popular offshore tax havens have made it all but impossible to avoid some level of discl...

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