Safeguard your assets with an asset protection plan

Asset protection refers to the strategies used to safeguard wealth and assets from potential risks, such as lawsuits, creditors, and financial downturns. Asset protection aims to create a barrier between your assets and potential threats, minimising the chances of losing those assets in the event of a legal dispute or financial crisis.

Common threats to assets include:

1. Legal Claims and Lawsuits: Includes personal injury claims, contract disputes, employment-related issues, or professional liability.
2. Creditor Claims: Creditors, Banks, lenders, and suppliers may seek to recover debts by targeting your assets.
3. Economic Downturns: Financial crises, market crashes, or economic recessions can impact the value of investments and assets.
4. Divorce: During divorce proceedings, assets will be subject to division between spouses, leading to a loss of some of those assets.
5. Business Risks: Includes product liability, regulatory fines, intellectual property disputes, and market competition.
6. Tax Liabilities: Mismanagement of tax obligations can result in tax liens or other tax-related claims on your assets.
7. Personal Debts: Accumulating personal debts, such as credit card debt or medical bills, can result in creditors seeking repayment through asset seizure or legal action.
8. Cybersecurity Threats: Cybersecurity breaches can expose sensitive information, potentially leading to financial loss or identity theft.
9. Natural Disasters: Physical assets, such as property, vehicles, and inventory, can be damaged or destroyed by natural disasters like hurricanes, earthquakes, or fires.
10. Inadequate Insurance: If you’re underinsured or lack appropriate coverage, you may face significant financial loss when unexpected events occur.

The steps to create an asset protection plan are:

1. Assess Your Current Financial Situation: Take stock of your assets, liabilities, income, and expenses. Understand your risks, including potential legal claims, creditor issues, and other threats.
2. Set Clear Goals: Define your asset protection goals. Are you primarily concerned with protecting your personal assets, shielding your business assets, or both? Do you have specific concerns, such as potential lawsuits?
3. Understand Legal Structures: Familiarize yourself with the legal tools for asset protection. This may include trusts, companies, superannuation, and more.
4. Select Appropriate Strategies: Work with your advisors to select the asset protection strategies that align with your goals. These include creating trusts, establishing companies, obtaining the right insurance coverage, and considering international structures.
5. Implement the Plan: This may involve setting up legal entities, transferring assets to trusts, adjusting insurance policies, or changing your estate plan.
6. Regularly Review and Update: It’s essential to review and update your plan as your financial situation evolves or new risks emerge. Changes in laws or personal circumstances may necessitate adjustments.
7. Stay Compliant and Transparent: Ensure that your asset protection plan is legally sound and transparent.