Planning for Advanced Asset Protection
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Transcript of Planning for Advanced Asset Protection
A W E A L T H C O U N S E L C O M P A N Y A W E A L T H C O U N S E L C O M P A N Y
Planning for Advanced Asset Protection
Carl R. Waldman
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Asset Protection• Build on Client’s existing estate planning to create
additional asset protection planning• Discuss advanced asset protection strategies– How they work– Levels of protection
• Provide an example of how these strategies work together
• Discuss the advisor team approach to asset protection
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Asset Protection• Timing and other potential complications with asset
protection strategies• When should the advisor team just say NO?
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The Three-Meeting Strategy• Initial Meeting – Gathering Financial and Objective
Information and Building Relationship with Clients– Attorney/Client Privilege Issues
• Advisors’ Meeting – Meeting with Client’s Advisors (CPA, Financial Advisors, Insurance Advisors) to review Client’s objectives and discuss consensus “solution”
• Client Solution Meeting – Present unified solution plan to client
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Talking Points for Asset Protection Initial Meeting
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What Asset Protection Is:What Asset Protection Is:• Not about hiding or concealing– Using the existing laws
• Objectives– High degree of certainty– Maintain control– Discourage lawsuits from the outset
• Avoiding liability “traps”– Partnerships– Joint ownership
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Types of Risks• Professional liability– Cannot limit your own professional liability– Note: state statutes generally do not permit non-
professionals to own a portion of a professional practice• Professional liability of a partner• Non-practice personal liabilities– Business deals– Tort claims (auto accidents, etc)
• Estate planning risks (income and estate taxes, partner’s next spouse, children’s spouses, etc.)
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When to Plan• Before the claim arises works best• Even with an existing claim, some options may
still be available such as use of ERISA plan• Beware of “fraudulent transfers”– Solvency Certificate– Seek permission to independently investigate
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Levels of Asset Protection• Level 1: Exemptions - certain assets automatically
protected by state or federal exemptions• Level 2: Transmutation Agreements (in
community property states) to convert into separate property• Level 3: Professional Entity Formation
(PA/PC/PLLC)• Level 4: Leasing LLC’s to own specialized or
valuable equipment and/or real estate + accounts receivable strategies
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Levels of Asset Protection• Level 5: FLP/FLLC to own non-practice assets• Level 6: Domestic asset protection trusts• Level 7: Offshore asset protection trusts
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Level 1 Protection:Exemptions
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State Statutory Exemptions• Personal Property Exemption (State and
Federal Bankruptcy)• Life Insurance• Annuities• IRAs• Homestead• Joint Tenancy or Tenancy by the Entirety
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Fed Statutory Exemption• ERISA– 401(k), Pension, Profit Sharing, Etc.
• Pension Protection Act– IRAs in Bankruptcy
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The Planning Opportunity• Sometimes it is possible to convert non-
exempt assets into exempt assets:–Cash into home equity– IRA into ERISA plan• Some states (i.e., California provide only limited state
law protection for IRAs) whereas a properly structured ERISA plan is absolutely protected from creditors…remember the O.J. Simpson case
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Level 2 Protection:Transmutation Agreements (in community property states) to convert into separate property
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The Planning Opportunity• Separate property assets of the “safe spouse”
generally not reachable to pay creditors of the “at risk spouse”• Once property is transmuted, it may have
unintended consequences for other purposes– Loss of basis step up on death of nonowner spouse–What happens in the event of divorce?
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Level 3 Protection: Professional Entity Formation (PA/PC/PLLC)
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Level 3 Protection• Business Entity Planning– Professional Corporation versus PLLC– Power of the “charging order” and the advantage
of using a “sole remedy” jurisdiction– Limit Liability from Partner’s Malpractice– PA/PC/PLLC
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Level 4 Protection:Create LEASING LLCS
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Level 4 Protection• Create LLCs to own specialized or valuable
equipment and/or real estate• Remove equipment and real estate from
professional practice• Create “lease back” agreement between
practice and leasing LLCsSegregate real estate, equipment, and securities
accounts from malpractice exposure
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Level 4 Protection• Protect accounts receivable by pledging them
to a friendly creditor• Consider creating ILIT with high cash value
policy and having ILIT Trustee grant a credit line to business owner/professional• There are turnkey A/R protection plans or you
can create one
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Level 5 Protection: FLP/FLLC to own non-practice assets
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Level 5 Protection• Ownership of Non-Practice Assets– Personal Use Real Estate– Investment Accounts– Cash or Bank Accounts– Non-exempt Personal Property
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Level 5 Protection• Personal Residence Options– Maximize Equity Stripping• Borrow the maximum on the mortgage and transfer to
Domestic Asset Protection Trust (DAPT)• DAPT becomes member of the LLC/FLP
– Better to have DAPT established first for interim protection
• Retain personal right to reside or retain life estate in residence
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Level 5 Protection• Personal Residence Options– Sell to IDIGT– Establish a QPRT?
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Level 6 Protection:Domestic Asset Protection Trust
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Level 6 Protection• Domestic (U.S. based) Asset Protection Trust– Non-practice or leasing LLC assets transferred to the trust
before any claim arises– Increases charging order protection
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Level 6 Protection• Domestic Asset Protection Trust– Non Self-Settled State - Trust with flight provision
and trust protector - spouse and children are initial beneficiaries
– Self-Settled States – Settlor can be added as “discretionary” beneficiary(Alaska, Delaware, Nevada and Wyoming are the most popular)
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Level 7 Protection:Offshore Trusts
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Warning: Proceed with Caution!
When Should You Say NO?
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Fraudulent Transfer and Related Issues
• Are there known creditors?• Relying on a solvency certificate• Performing due diligence• Does the client understand the issues?• Are there client-friendly resources available?• What can go wrong?
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Thank you for attending!