In recent years, Asset Protection has gained acceptance as an important part of estate planning.  Good estate plans protect assets.  Asset protection is especially important for owners of business and real estate.

There are many methods of asset protection, ranging from simple property characterization to more advanced techniques involving various types of irrevocable trusts and entities, sometimes in combination.  Fees for advanced planning vary depending on how much protection is needed, but not on the value of assets protected.

For California residents, self-settled asset protection trusts are of doubtful benefit, and often the best strategy is to protect the assets in trusts set up for the benefit of children or other family members.  Even the basic revocable trust should be built with asset protection in mind, for the surviving spouse, children, and other beneficiaries, and fees are typically less for this important basic planning, the cornerstone of any asset protection plan.