Asset Protection Planning

In today's litigious world, you may be vulnerable to predators who will try to use the legal system to deprive you of your life's work. Over 15 million lawsuits are filed in the United States each year, many of which are frivolous or settled for sums greater than the potential liability.

Business owners, professionals, and property owners should be aware of the risk associated with conducting their business, practicing in their respective fields, and taking responsibility for others.

Assets can be at risk due to a number of vulnerabilities, including:

• Professional malpractice liability
• Lawsuits by business partners
• Personal injury suffered on your premises
• Personal injury from a motor vehicle accident
• Liability as a guarantor for the debts of another
• Divorce
• Medical bills from an unforeseen accident

Insurance alone does not always protect against all of these threats. We help clients protect their wealth against these threats. We can help clients protect their wealth using a variety of strategies including the use of special trusts, business entities and other legal arrangements.

Alaska has been on the cutting edge of asset protection planning since 1997 when it became the first state to enact legislation approving the use of a domestic asset protection trust. We have experience with the following techniques to preserve your assets:

• Irrevocable trusts, including domestic asset protection trusts
• Family limited partnerships and limited liability companies
• Prenuptial and postnuptial agreements
• Exempt asset protection under state law
• IRA protection trusts