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Asset protection planning is closely related to financial planning.  Both asset protection and wealth preservation strategies are about managing risk, which requires careful planning and appropriate asset allocations.

Asset Protection Works in a Similiar Way to Premium Insurance

In the insurance industry, underwriters charge fees (“premiums”) to undertake risks.  Individuals and businesses pay those premiums in order to limit their exposure to financial losses.  In other words, premiums represent known, fixed costs that are paid in exchange for a release from future liabilities, the extent of which are unknown.  Traditionally, asset protection has worked in a similar way.  The transaction fees required to set up wealth preservation strategies and asset protection plans are fixed, up-front costs similar to insurance premiums.

In the aggregate, people are more likely to lose money due to poor financial planning–a lack of proper asset allocation, biased advisors, and a bad economy or poor investment choices–than they are to lose money in a lawsuit.  But each individual situation is unique, and some people are in riskier, more lawsuit prone businesses than others.  In the case of high net worth individuals with significant exposure to risk (e.g. physicians like OBGYNs), certain wealth preservation strategies (in addition to insurance) absolutely must be pursued.

Wealth Preservation Through Asset Management

The least expensive form of wealth preservation comes from shifting at-risk assets to exempt assets.  The only cost from such a reallocation of assets (other than transaction fees) is a possible reduction in liquidity.  As an example, one could sell a certain portion of their stock or bond portfolio and purchase a cash-value life insurance policy.  While stocks and bonds are highly vulnerable in a lawsuit by creditors, the cash value of life insurance is protected from the claims of creditors in many states.  The practice of economics is the shifting of assets from areas of low yield to areas of high yield.  Thus, if one can achieve her or his required rate of return via one of two investment vehicles, it makes economic sense to choose the less risky vehicle–the vehicle with less exposure to a suit by creditors.

Preservation of Assets

Where the goal is preservation of assets, timing is another consideration.  The structure of any asset protection plan should match the investments made within the plan.  It would make little sense to implement a wealth preservation strategy intended to last 30 years only to lose the principal in risky, short-term investments.  In the very near future, however, it may be possible to earn growth portfolio type gains while only taking wealth preservation risks.  We will write much more on this topic in the weeks and months to come, but the purpose of this post is simply to explain how significant protection can be achieved through meticulous planning, asset allocation, and risk management.

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Pashmina Lalchandani

CEO & Co-Founder, Bar & Cocoa / Owner, Flow Simple
December 9, 2010, Douglass was a client of Pashmina’s

I’ve known Doug in many contexts, as a friend, as a client and as a business partner and he impresses me on all levels. He’s dependable, smart, generous and I wouldn’t hesitate recommending him and his law firm to anyone.
He’s the best and most ethical lawyers providing asset protection with rock solid strategies to give you peace of mind about your wealth. Straight forward, and straight talk. Doug is exactly the lawyer I want on my side. If I send someone to Doug, I know they’ll thank me for it!

Social & Solar Entrepreneur, Pan Afrikan Theorist, Translator/Interpreter,
Founder & Visionary Leader @ Afrikanpride.
March 12, 2011, Marlon E. D. J. worked with Douglass but at different companies

Doug is one of the most powerful thinker i have came across. During the short time that i have known Doug he has been a great source of inspiration. He has a simplistic yet effective and accurate way to analyze anything you bring to his attention, and then by asking you key questions he gets you to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Besides being extremely bright, he is a genuine and caring individual which is why I feel fortunate to know him. I can say without a doubt that he his the person you would want to talk to if you were in need of a person with his expertise.
Most of the lawyers out there will probably meet your needs, but if you are looking for someone to exceed your expectations and give you that wow factor, look no more he is the person for the job.

Patricia Salter

Associate Dentist at Smileology
December 1, 2010, Patricia was a client of Douglass’

I have been a client of Douglas Lodmell’s since 2001. My main concern was asset protection in this litigious society. I can sleep alot better at night knowing I have the instruments in place to protect the fruits of my labor, and that they will not end up in the hands of a slick trial attorney.

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