The Trust Protection Myth: Your Revocable Trust Protects Against Lawsuits

The trust protection myth

Many people believe that once they set up a Revocable Living Trust and transfer assets into the trust, those assets are protected from lawsuits. This is absolutely not true.

While Trusts commonly provide asset protection for beneficiaries, few trusts protect assets owned by the person who created the trust.

NO IMMEDIATE ASSET PROTECTION? WHY CREATE A REVOCABLE LIVING TRUST AT ALL?

Fully funded Revocable Living Trusts are excellent tools. You can protect assets passing to your spouse and children, providing protection for loved ones that they can’t put in place for themselves.

Your trust includes a plan for managing your assets during any times of incapacity, avoiding court interference, maintaining your control, and saving your loved ones time, money, and stress. Your properly funded trust allows your assets to avoid probate, minimizing the time, stress, and cost of settling your final affairs.

By avoiding the public probate court process, all details about who is getting what remain a private family matter.

WHAT CAN YOU DO TO PROTECT YOUR ASSETS?

Comprehensive estate planning has a solid foundation of insurance, including homeowners/renters, umbrella, auto, business, life insurance, disability, and the like. Business entities such as limited liability companies are commonly used for asset protection for business owners and real estate investors. In some cases, domestic asset protection trusts are used.

Your revocable living trust generates powerful value and can be drafted to provide asset protection for your loved ones. If you have questions about asset protection planning, please reach out to The Browne Firm for assistance We can review your existing plan and determine what additional steps need to be taken to ensure you and your family have a secure financial future.

Get in touch with us by calling (914) 290-5622 or filling out our online contact form to request a consultation with our attorney.

Author Bio

Danielle Browne is the founder and managing attorney of The Browne Firm, a New York-based estate planning and business law firm. Danielle leverages her background, serving as general counsel for a Fortune 500 company and working with startups to represent clients in entity formation, intellectual property protection, contract drafting, estate planning, and more.

With more than ten years of experience as an attorney and business executive, she has represented clients ranging from entrepreneurs and small businesses to artists and Fortune 500 companies. Danielle received her Juris Doctor cum laude from the University of Miami School of Law and is licensed to practice in New York. She has received numerous honors for her work, including being named a 2015 Future Leader by the WNBA President while serving as general counsel for the Atlanta Dream.

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