Many business owners and professionals fear losing wealth as a result of creditors and lawsuit judgments. With proper advance planning, everyone can protect some or most of their assets, making it hard for creditors to reach them. Here are some strategies to consider:
1. Review liability coverage, limits and exclusions
If you’re a homeowner or automobile owner, you should obtain maximum homeowner’s or automobile insurance coverage and have an excess liability (“umbrella”) policy that provides additional protection beyond the underlying policy limits. For optimal protection, an umbrella policy of at least several million dollars should be purchased. In addition, review liability policy exclusions. Some homeowners impacted by Hurricane Katrina were denied claims on the basis that their homeowner’s insurance did not cover flooding.
2. Avoid conducting business as a sole proprietor or as a general partner
A general partner or sole proprietor is personally liable for all business obligations. If you’re a business owner, conduct business as a LLC (Limited Liability Company) or a corporation. Generally, your personal assets will be protected from the claims of creditors of the business. Keep in mind that you should operate your company as a business and not commingle personal assets and affairs with the business.
3. Have business owned employment and fiduciary insurance
Your business should purchase liability coverage to protect the company against employee claims for discrimination or wrongful termination. If you are trustee of the company’s quali fied plan, you may be able to purchase insurance to protect you and the company against employee claims regarding violation of a trustee’s fiduciary responsibility.
4. Create wealth in employer sponsored quali fied retirement plans
Under ERISA (Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974), participating employer sponsored retirement plans are generally not subject to claims of personal or business creditors.
5. Create an IRA or rollover quali fied retirement plan money to an IRA
Most states have enacted statutes protecting IRAs (Individual Retirement Accounts) entirely from creditor claims. Others protect up to a certain amount of money. Claims by the IRS, spouses and children owed alimony and certain child support payments are typically not protected.
6. Title assets in the spouse’s name
Typically, your spouse isn’t liable for your debts and obligations. Therefore, a simple way to protect wealth is for the spouse with less exposure to liability risk to own all property in his or her own name. Be sure to revisit this protection strategy if you’re considering divorce. If the property-owning spouse dies, the property will be distributed by the terms of a will, trust, or by the laws of intestate distribution (if there is no will).
7. Create wealth in an exempt asset
Depending on state law, certain types of personal property may be exempt from general creditor claims even if debtor-owned. The most common types of assets are cash value life insurance, non-qualified tax deferred annuities and a personal residence in states that have a homestead exemption. Consult with a tax and legal advisor in your local jurisdiction. These approaches can help safeguard your assets. Still, the best way to protect wealth is to plan for the future when you’re financially solvent and without debt.
#TODAY #ASSETS #CREDITORS #INSURANCE PLANNING #IRA #LIABILITY #QUALIFIED PLANS #RETIREMENT BUSINESS PLANNING
1. Review liability coverage, limits and exclusions
If you’re a homeowner or automobile owner, you should obtain maximum homeowner’s or automobile insurance coverage and have an excess liability (“umbrella”) policy that provides additional protection beyond the underlying policy limits. For optimal protection, an umbrella policy of at least several million dollars should be purchased. In addition, review liability policy exclusions. Some homeowners impacted by Hurricane Katrina were denied claims on the basis that their homeowner’s insurance did not cover flooding.
2. Avoid conducting business as a sole proprietor or as a general partner
A general partner or sole proprietor is personally liable for all business obligations. If you’re a business owner, conduct business as a LLC (Limited Liability Company) or a corporation. Generally, your personal assets will be protected from the claims of creditors of the business. Keep in mind that you should operate your company as a business and not commingle personal assets and affairs with the business.
3. Have business owned employment and fiduciary insurance
Your business should purchase liability coverage to protect the company against employee claims for discrimination or wrongful termination. If you are trustee of the company’s quali fied plan, you may be able to purchase insurance to protect you and the company against employee claims regarding violation of a trustee’s fiduciary responsibility.
4. Create wealth in employer sponsored quali fied retirement plans
Under ERISA (Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974), participating employer sponsored retirement plans are generally not subject to claims of personal or business creditors.
5. Create an IRA or rollover quali fied retirement plan money to an IRA
Most states have enacted statutes protecting IRAs (Individual Retirement Accounts) entirely from creditor claims. Others protect up to a certain amount of money. Claims by the IRS, spouses and children owed alimony and certain child support payments are typically not protected.
6. Title assets in the spouse’s name
Typically, your spouse isn’t liable for your debts and obligations. Therefore, a simple way to protect wealth is for the spouse with less exposure to liability risk to own all property in his or her own name. Be sure to revisit this protection strategy if you’re considering divorce. If the property-owning spouse dies, the property will be distributed by the terms of a will, trust, or by the laws of intestate distribution (if there is no will).
7. Create wealth in an exempt asset
Depending on state law, certain types of personal property may be exempt from general creditor claims even if debtor-owned. The most common types of assets are cash value life insurance, non-qualified tax deferred annuities and a personal residence in states that have a homestead exemption. Consult with a tax and legal advisor in your local jurisdiction. These approaches can help safeguard your assets. Still, the best way to protect wealth is to plan for the future when you’re financially solvent and without debt.
#TODAY #ASSETS #CREDITORS #INSURANCE PLANNING #IRA #LIABILITY #QUALIFIED PLANS #RETIREMENT BUSINESS PLANNING
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