Estate Planning & Asset Protection

There are a lot of asset protection gurus who hammer on the importance of protecting your assets from negligent lawsuits.  It’s certainly a valid consideration, however, I’m more interested in sharing the many other reasons that you need to consider formulating an asset protection/estate planning strategy right now.

So, let me ask you…

Are you more likely to be sued for negligence or pay income taxes since the IRS is our number one guaranteed creditor each year?

Are you more likely to lose money in the stock market or have long term care expenses?

Are you more likely to pay capital gains taxes or default on an important contract?

Are you more likely to get a divorce or receive a fine for violating any one of thousands of federal or state laws – such as environmental protection, fair housing, or Worker’s Comp?

Are you more likely to suffer a catastrophic illness such as the crippling, chronic conditions such as senility, Alzheimer’s disease, severe arthritis, osteoporosis, the long-term effects of a stroke or file for bankruptcy?

Are you or a loved one more likely to experience a disability like stress, diabetes, heart disease, chronic pain, cancer or a nasty automobile accident causing a financial hardship often worse than the financial loss from a death or live 20 years beyond retirement?

 

The Simple Truth. You may feel safe and secure but you can never be certain that your lifetime’s accumulation of wealth won’t suddenly disappear tomorrow.  No matter what our lifestyle or occupation, or how prudently we act, we all flirt with liability and financial disaster.

Federal income taxes will eat up to 35% of your income

State Income taxes up to 10% of income

Estate tax up to 50% of your estate

Faulty Succession Plan up to 100% of your estate

Poor Asset Management up to 100% of your estate

Uninsured Theft/Loss/Destruction up to 100% of your estate

Lawsuits up to 100% of your estate

The Key is Risk Recognition.  In other words, asset protection is based on the recognition of risk and how to structure your holdings to reduce your exposure to risk.  The key to risk avoidance, is to recognize that attacks on your assets can come from virtually any direction. The goal is to preserve wealth over time against numerous unforeseen circumstances by implementing correctly and conservatively, without the intent to defraud or harm anyone.

Asset Protection is both Lawful and Smart.  You have an obligation to yourself and your family to protect and preserve everything you have worked so hard to create.  It is important to set up legal and defendable plans using the law to your advantage. And it must be a life-long process. Your financial picture constantly changes as you acquire or dispose of assets.  Also, the risks you are exposed to may change as well as your financial objectives and priorities.  Thorough and periodic reviews will ensure your plan is updated and that you do not become vulnerable.

Include Your Whole Family. Develop your plan with those family members who have an active interest in your assets and who may have to react to potential problems with speed and decisiveness.  A lack of communication can be disastrous.

Take Stock of Your Property. No asset protection/estate plan can be created in a vacuum and every important asset you own must be accounted for and fully protected. Inventory the following assets:

  • Cash on hand
  • Checking and savings accounts
  • Pension and retirement plans
  • Cash value life Insurance
  • Stocks and bonds
  • Residential & Investment real estate holdings
  • Inheritances and future interests
  • Antiques, art and other collectibles and collections
  • Other personal property (jewelry, furniture, vehicles, etc.)
  • Loans you may have made to others
  • Business holdings in any closed corporation, LLC or limited partnership
  • Accounts receivable
  • Boats, airplanes or other recreational vehicles
  • Leases or leasehold interests
  • Options to acquire property
  • Beneficial interests in trusts
  • Licenses or franchise rights
  • Safe deposit box inventory
  • Copyrights, trademarks or patents
  • Revocable trusts to which you are a grantor

Estimate the approximate value of each item as closely as possible. Indicate how each asset is titled (singly, jointly with a spouse, in trust, etc.) Also specify your percentage of ownership in assets owned with others. Finally, list liens or encumbrances against each asset to determine the equity to be protected. Repeat this exercise for your liabilities:

  • Mortgages on real estate you own
  • Tax liabilities
  • Installment loans
  • Credit card debt
  • Personal guarantees (business debts)
  • Alimony and/or child support payments
  • Current lawsuits that may have been brought against you
  • Outstanding judgments
  • Potential or threatened claims

The Essential Element is ACTION.

I have spent the last 24 years and dedicated my life to the production of educational resources and entity establishment services (the tools of wealth) enabling people to gain this valuable knowledge. I’m called the Wealth Protection Diva because as a lifelong learner, I have become a walking encyclopedia of all the tools, techniques and tactics used to safeguard assets under all circumstances. But I need to ask you a question. If you have all the information, yet fail to act upon it, how much good does it do you?

The SageFacilitator® Program. I hope the above general discussion has triggered some thoughts in your mind as to the advantages and the necessity of building a secure asset protection/estate plan for yourself and your family. The key is to design the proper plan to fit your needs. Through my one-on-one consulting you will gain the knowledge along with a clearly defined roadmap laying out the specific action items needed to get the work done. This includes items handled either by Sage, my fabulous network of professional advisors and certainly some things you need to get done yourself. Peace of mind happens because of the built-in follow up and accountability measures I have established to keep us moving forward.

I’m only a Phone Call Away.  Let’s make this process the beginning of a fabulous relationship.  I continue to learn from my many clients who have shared their experiences with me and have taught me so much which is another benefit. I can honestly say that I have asked a million questions and answered just as many too.  I urge you to call 800-254-5779 and make arrangements for getting started on this highly effective program so you protect yourself before you have trouble and avoid having to utter the following words: “Hindsight is 20-20!”

Cheri S. Hill, “Wealth Protection Diva”