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Is It Too Late to Protect Your Assets?

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Are your assets protected from creditors, lawsuits and divorce settlements? If not, you should speak with your attorney about a plan to protect your financial assets and property. Protection is important to ensure you have funds for retirement and that your loved ones have a place to live after your death.

So when is it too late to protect your assets? It is too late if you already have a chance of having your items taken.

Creditor Judgment

If you owe money and that creditor has gone to court and has a judgment against you requiring you to pay that debt either with funds or property, it is too late to protect your assets.

Problems With Promissory Notes

If you owe money to a bank – anyone for that matter – and they have given you a notice of default it is likely too late to engage in effective asset protection. The more challenging question deals with asset protection steps you take if you only “anticipate” legal action.

Negligence Lawsuit Pending

If you suspect someone may try to sue you for an act of negligence it is already too late to defend your property. Whether a lawsuit is just a possibility or an actuality, any unprotected assets may be eligible for use to settle that case if you do not win.

Divorce Pending

If you have a divorce pending, it is too late to protect your assets. Any property at this point is considered marital property and will be divided according to the judge’s interpretation of state law. If you try to hide assets, you may lose them if you are found out.

What Happens

If you try to protect assets when it is too late you could get in legal trouble. If a judge determines that you have illegally protected assets, he or she may reverse that protection status and allow your belongings to be taken to settle the suit against you. You may also be found guilty of fraud.

To avoid this, you should begin shielding your assets before you ever suspect a reason to do so. Your attorney can help you safeguard your property and finances during the Advance Estate planning process.

Larry Parman
Attorney at Law

Larry Parman, Attorney at Law
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