We are private investigators, privacy consultants, and cybersecurity professionals. We are not lawyers or financial advisors such as CPAs or wealth advisors. Our goal is to share ways a private investigator looks at assets and how you can limit liability in all kinds of scenarios.
As private investigators, we are adept at finding assets for many matters, such as divorce assets, assets in preparation for litigation, after judgment assets, bankruptcy filing assets, and more. We believe there are several promising strategies to protect yourself from any lawsuit, including divorces, and gain critical privacy with strategies that can protect your property.
This firm does not advocate nor help clients who are committing fraud. We cannot help a person escape justice, nor can we assist clients who are attempting to circumvent any legal due processes
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Why You Need Protection
Why you need protection from creditors or to stop a lawsuit is a personal question that only you can answer, but it isn’t difficult to read all the perils involved in doing business and being in relationships. Usually, clients come to us to help them obtain greater privacy after an event, such as impending litigation, divorce on the horizon, or other potentially risky and expensive intrusions into their wealth.
Since we are privacy experts and can help our clients obtain the degree of privacy and protection they require in life; we are well prepared to assist our clients in protecting their assets from creditors and protection from lawsuits.
It would be best if you had protection because the world is litigious. Most of our clients do not come from inherited wealth; they have been in the right business at the right time and put blood, sweat, and tears into their hard-earned money.
Why You Need Our Firm
We can help you protect your personal assets from lawsuits before an event occurs. Our team of qualified CPAs, tax attorneys, enrolled agents, wealth advisors and divorce lawyers all concur; you can protect assets from lawsuits if you plan now. Don’t wait for an event to take place then try to cover your tracks.
Since we are the ones that dig for assets we are in a good place to advise our clients on how to protect them, in conjunction with the appropriately licensed professionals, such as a tax attorney.
With 30 years of experience in looking for assets from those that attempt to obscure them, we know the secrets of legally protecting your property from prying eyes, such as private eyes.
We advise clients on protecting their hard-earned assets in the event that they are hit with a lawsuit. It’s vital to not wait and fairly inexpensive to get started immediately and in just a couple of weeks you can have the beginnings of a solid asset protection program.
Asset Protection Is Perfectly Legal
Don’t feel that you are doing something “wrong” by creating a domestic asset protection plan. The prudent person plans for calamity. Setting your plan prior to any possible legal liability is the best way to ensure that you are not engaging in dodgy post-issue strategies that may not hold up before a court.
The idea in asset protection is to have nothing someone can take from you such as personal or business assets. And for certain, you need to limit your personal liability that may include retirement accounts, home equity, life insurance policies, cash value, primary residence, etc.
Why Are You Looking For Asset Protection?
- I have an impending lawsuit I am facing
- I am contemplating divorce and I want to protect what I own
- I am being proactive to mitigate against future risks
- I am interested in protecting my company
How Private Investigators and Lawyers Look For Assets
Looking for assets is a daunting process as it is. But, it is especially difficult, if not impossible should one engage in a quality asset protection strategy created by one of our fully vetted tax attorney or financial advisor.
We look for assets in a number of different ways. However, our investigations always start with a deep assessment of the subject of investigation. For example, Mary wants to find out if Fred has undisclosed wealth before she files for a divorce. This is a prudent decision, always search for divorce assets prior to litigation. We begin with helping Mary by conducting a deep assessment into everything she can tell us about Fred. It begins like this…
What is The Subject’s Education?
We look at the background of the subject and in our example above we would ask Mary about Fred’s educational background. We find that should Fred have received an education in law, wealth management or other related service, it is highly likely that even if they are not practicing what they went to school for, the will surely fall back on things they once learned about personal and business assets.
What Does The Subject Do for a Living?
Finding out what Fred does for a living is just as important as finding out what their educational background is. We look at what they do now or have done in times past to gauge whether they have the strong propensity to engage in asset protection strategies. Although, we never judge a book by it’s cover and have many times found that someone you least likely suspect may hide assets, does.
What is The Subject Currently Educating Their Self On?
We ask our clients to help us understand the person we are investigating by looking into their current interests. Are they reading financial books by Robert Kiyosaki? We ask our clients to casually look at their search topics on computers and YouTube as well. What are they currently reading, watching and listening to?
Perhaps Mary will find that Fred is looking up terms such as umbrella companies, type of insurance, retirement plan, LLCs, irrevocable trusts, annuity plans, ways to protect your assets, creditor protection, protection in the event of divorce, umbrella policy, shield your assets, liability coverage, state law, federal law, protected entities, etc.
Does The Subject Have Businesses?
More and more people are educating themselves on asset protection for their owners of companies and limited partnerships. If Fred has a business, it is very likely that Mary can help us uncover information that will be useful in our investigation.
If we are investigating Fred's business, Mary can help us uncover information that will be useful in our investigation. This is because she is likely to have knowledge about the business, and she may be able to provide us with insights that we would not be able to get from anyone else.
There are many more points of inquiry we have, in fact we have 50 total, and we dig into every detail that we can glean from Mary on Fred’s lifestyle, education and business practices.
Protection From Lawsuits
Protect your assets from lawsuits, liens and judgements. Asset protection is the legal process of shielding your assets from seizure by creditors. By creating an asset protection plan, you can protect your savings, your home, and your business from creditors. There are a number of ways to protect your assets, including creating trusts, transferring ownership of property, and using insurance.
Shield your assets from creditors, ex-spouses and probate. Reduce estate taxes by owning property in a trust rather than individually.
Homestead Exemption
The homestead exemption is a tax break that allows you to exempt a portion of your home's value from taxation. The amount of the exemption varies from state to state, but is typically between $10,000 and $20,000. To qualify for the exemption, you must own and occupy your home as your primary residence.
Limited Liability Companies
A limited liability company (LLC) is a business structure that combines the pass-through taxation of a partnership or sole proprietorship with the limited liability of a corporation, creating a hybrid business entity. An LLC is not a corporation; it is a legal form of a company that provides limited liability to its owners in many jurisdictions. LLCs do not need to be organized for profit; however, some jurisdictions require that an LLC have at least one member.
Asset Protection Trusts
An asset protection trust is a legal arrangement in which assets are placed under the control of a trustee. The trustee manages the assets for the benefit of the beneficiaries. The trust can be used to protect assets from creditors, lawsuits, and other claimants.
Prenuptial Agreements
A prenuptial agreement, also called a premarital agreement or "prenup," is a contract created by two people who are about to be married. The purpose of the agreement is to define how property and assets will be divided if the marriage ends in divorce. It can also be used to protect each person's finances and define their rights and responsibilities during the marriage.
In a divorce, the court will typically divide marital assets between the two spouses. This can be a difficult process, as the court must determine what is fair and equitable. In some cases, one spouse may be awarded more assets than the other. This is usually based on factors such as need, earning potential, and contribution to the marriage.
Ways To Protect Your Assets
There are many ways to protect your assets, but some of the most common include insurance, trusts, and asset protection strategies. Insurance can help protect your assets from loss due to accidents, fires, or other disasters. Trusts can help you keep control of your assets while still providing for your beneficiaries. Asset protection strategies can help you keep your assets safe from creditors and lawsuits.
Protect Your Assets From Lawsuits
If you're worried about being sued, there are steps you can take to protect your assets. One way is to create a liability corporation or LLC. This type of business structure can help shield your personal assets from lawsuits. You can also consider transferring ownership of valuable assets to a trust. This can make it more difficult for creditors to go after them. Another option is to purchase insurance policies that provide coverage in the event that you are sued. Talk to your financial advisor about the best way to protect your assets based on your unique circumstances.
Retirement Accounts Asset Protection
Retirement accounts offer asset protection from creditors in bankruptcy. This means that if you file for bankruptcy, your retirement account will not be subject to seizure by creditors. This protection is available for both traditional retirement accounts, such as IRAs and 401(k)s, and Roth IRAs.
Retirement Accounts Can Protect Your Assets
Retirement accounts can be an important part of protecting your assets. They can provide a way to save for retirement, and they can also offer some protection from creditors. There are different types of retirement accounts, and each has its own rules and regulations. You should talk to a financial advisor to learn more about how retirement accounts can help you protect your assets.
Retirement Plan Asset Protection
When it comes to asset protection in retirement, there are a few key things to keep in mind. First, you'll want to consider how your assets are currently structured and whether or not they're adequately protected. This may include looking at things like trusts, insurance policies, and investment accounts.
Next, you'll want to think about what kind of risks you're facing in retirement and how best to protect yourself from them. This could include things like long-term care costs, inflation, market volatility, and so on.
Finally, you'll need to make sure that your asset protection plan is regularly reviewed and updated as needed. This is especially important as your circumstances change over time.
By taking these steps, you can help ensure that your assets are well protected during retirement.
IRAs How To Protect Them
Individual Retirement Accounts, or IRAs, are one of the best ways to save for retirement. But they can also be one of the most vulnerable, since they're often loaded with stocks, mutual funds and other assets.
That's why it's important to take steps to protect your IRA from potential risks, like a market downturn or fraud. Here are a few things you can do:
- Diversify your investments. Don't put all your eggs in one basket.
- Review your statements regularly. This will help you catch any unusual activity.
- Be careful about who you trust with your IRA. Only work with reputable financial institutions and advisors.
Annuity Accounts Asset Protection
An annuity account is an account that helps to protect your assets. This type of account is often used by people who are retired or close to retirement. With an annuity account, you can receive payments each month that can help you cover your living expenses. This can give you peace of mind knowing that you will have money coming in each month to help pay your bills.
Annuity accounts offer a great deal of privacy to account holders. This is because annuities are not subject to probate, which means that the account holder's beneficiaries will not be required to disclose the account contents or value to the court. Additionally, annuity accounts are not typically disclosed on public records, so account holders can rest assured that their personal information and account balances will remain confidential.
Financial Advisor Help Protect Assets
A financial advisor can help protect your assets by providing guidance on how to best invest your money. They can also help you create a financial plan that will allow you to reach your short- and long-term financial goals. Additionally, a financial advisor can help you monitor your finances and make adjustments to your plan as needed.
Private helps our clients with privacy and investigative advisory. We have a team of financial advisors that we have vetted worldwide that can assist you in doing their part to help protect your assets.
Questions People Ask About Asset Protection
There are some very good common questions people ask about protecting assets from creditors, judgements and bad marriages. Let’s take a look at a few questions that have to do with the best way of protecting your assets without a prenuptial agreement, when getting married and from a civil lawsuit.
How Do I Protect My Assets When Getting Married?
There are a few things you can do to protect your assets when getting married. First, you can keep your assets in your own name. Second, you can create a prenuptial agreement that outlines how your assets will be divided in the event of a divorce. Finally, you can keep your financial information separate from your spouse's. By taking these steps, you can help protect your assets in the event of a divorce.
How Do I Protect My Assets Without a Prenuptial Agreement?
If you want to protect your assets without a prenuptial agreement, you can do so by creating a trust. This will allow you to control how your assets are distributed in the event of your death or divorce. You can also put certain conditions on the trust, such as requiring your spouse to waive their right to alimony or child support.
How Can I Protect My Assets From a Civil Lawsuit?
If you are worried about your assets being taken in a civil lawsuit, there are some things you can do to protect them. One option is to create a living trust and put your assets into it. This way, they will not be part of your estate and cannot be seized by creditors. Another option is to purchase liability insurance. This will help cover any damages that you may be ordered to pay if you are sued. Finally, you can try to negotiate with the person who is suing you. If you can come to an agreement, they may be willing to waive their right to seize your assets.
How Do I Protect My Assets In a Second Marriage?
In a second marriage, it is often important to protect your assets in case of divorce. This can be done through a prenuptial agreement or by keeping your assets separate from your spouse's. If you have children from a previous marriage, you may also want to consider setting up a trust to protect their inheritance.
How Do I Protect My Assets After a Car Accident?
After a car accident, there are a few things you can do to protect your assets. First, if you have collision insurance, make sure to file a claim with your insurer as soon as possible. This will help cover the cost of repairs to your vehicle. Second, if you were injured in the accident and plan to file a personal injury claim, be sure to gather all of the necessary documentation, such as medical records and bills, to support your claim. Finally, if the other driver was at fault for the accident, you may want to consider filing a lawsuit against them to recover any damages not covered by your insurance.
Remember, we shared in other portions of this article, after an incident takes place, it is often too late to set up an asset protection strategy, whether it is a lawsuit, divorce or a car accident. The time to protect your assets is now!
What are some of the benefits of offshore trusts?
An offshore trust is a legal arrangement in which a person (the settlor) transfers ownership of assets to another person (the trustee) to manage for the benefit of a third person (the beneficiary). The settlor can be the beneficiary, but the trustee must be a third party.
The main benefit of an offshore trust is asset protection. By transferring ownership of assets to a trustee, the settlor can shield those assets from creditors and lawsuits. Another benefit is privacy. Offshore trusts are not required to disclose the identity of the settlor, trustee, or beneficiaries. This can make it difficult for someone to track down and seize assets held in an offshore trust.
The Best States for LLCs and Privacy
As private investigators and privacy consultants, we have looked for assets all over the world. And, in the United States there are a few good states that offer the best asset protection.
Nevada
Well known for asset protection, Nevada has made many changes to their laws that make the state far less favorable for protecting your property.
With that said, there are many advantages to forming a Nevada LLC. One advantage is that Nevada has no corporate income tax. This can save your business money if your LLC earns income. Another advantage is that Nevada has very flexible laws when it comes to LLCs. This means that you can tailor your LLC to meet your specific business needs. Finally, Nevada is a great place to form an LLC because it has a very favorable legal environment for businesses. This means that you are more likely to win in court if you are sued as an LLC in Nevada than you would be in other states.
Wyoming
Wyoming is where LLCs began in the United States beginning in 1977. Wyoming has pioneered privacy LLCs and there is no federal government reporting, annual fees are only $50, among a plethora of other great characteristics that many use Wyoming for in protecting LLC assets. Wyoming LLC privacy and protection
Wyoming LLCs are some of the most private and protected businesses in the United States. This is because Wyoming has some of the strongest LLC laws in the country. For example, Wyoming law does not require LLCs to disclose their owners or members. This means that your LLC can be completely anonymous if you want it to be. Additionally, Wyoming's charging order protection is among the strongest in the nation. This means that creditors of an LLC member cannot attach the member's interest in the LLC. So, if you are looking for privacy and protection for your business, a Wyoming LLC is a great option.
South Dakota
South Dakota has began to ride the coat-tails of Wyoming and New Mexico with some good privacy LLC statutes.
There are many advantages to forming a South Dakota LLC. First, LLCs are not subject to the same taxes as corporations. This can save you money on your tax bill. Second, LLCs offer personal liability protection for their owners. This means that if the LLC is sued, the owners will not be held personally responsible for any damages. Third, LLCs are easy to set up and maintain. You can do it all yourself without hiring a lawyer or accountant. Finally, LLCs give you the flexibility to choose how your business is run. You can tailor the management structure and governance rules to fit your needs.
Delaware
Delaware is best for publicly traded companies as the state is very business friendly to large corporations. Corporations that are bonafide businesses can benefit from many great attributes of being a Delaware corporation. Annual filing fees are $300. Again, if you plan to begin a publicly traded company, this may be the state for your corporation, however, there are better states such as New Mexico and Wyoming for LLCs.
New Mexico
New Mexico offers a great deal of bang for your buck when it comes to asset protection LLCs. First, even though there is a requirement for corporate taxation, a single member LLC will not be taxed as it is pass through income to you the owner of the business. If you use a registered agent in the state, you will not have any obligation to be on any state filings, only the registered agent will be. The fee to form an LLC in New Mexico is $50 and there are no annual filing dues.
New Mexico LLCs are not required to disclose the names of their owners, making them a good choice for businesses that value privacy. LLCs in New Mexico are also relatively easy and inexpensive to set up.
Offshore Asset Protection Trusts
An Offshore Asset Protection Trust is an irrevocable trust that is used to protect your assets from creditors. The trust is created by a trust deed which is registered in the jurisdiction where the trust is located. The trustee of the trust is usually a bank or trust company. The settlor of the trust transfers their assets to the trustee for the benefit of the beneficiaries. The beneficiaries can be the settlor, their spouse, children or other relatives. The assets in the trust are not available to creditors of the settlor.
Final Thoughts
If you’re reading this, chances are you are serious about asset protection strategies. There is no one-size-fits-all to this work. It takes a lot of understanding by the professional to give you the right strategy for your circumstances.
Private is adept at finding assets and have decades of experience. On the flip side of the coin, we also are professional privacy advisors and can say for certainty that you have many options in protecting your financial wealth and property.
One thing you need to walk away from this understanding…don’t wait! Start now. Some asset protection strategies can be started with just a few hundred dollar.