Master proven legal frameworks and actionable strategies to shield personal and business wealth from creditors, lawsuits, and unexpected financial liabilities.
Asset protection planning is most effective when implemented proactively. The fraudulent transfer doctrine means that most planning undertaken after a creditor claim arises is vulnerable to challenge. As a result, the most effective advisors in this area are those who introduce asset protection strategies before a lawsuit, default, or accident occurs—not after. For practitioners advising high-net-worth individuals, professionals, and business owners, understanding the range of available planning tools—and when to use each—is a core competency that protects both clients and practice.
The planning landscape includes a wide variety of structures, such as community property arrangements, domestic and offshore entities, domestic and foreign trusts, equity stripping on real estate and business interests, and private retirement plans. Each operates through distinct legal mechanisms, offers different levels of protection, and is suited to different client profiles and asset types. No single structure is universally effective, and successful planning depends on understanding how these tools function individually and in combination to withstand creditor challenge.
This session covers asset protection planning from both substantive legal principles and practical implementation. It examines how major structures operate, the client and asset profiles for which they are most appropriate, and how they are implemented in practice. It also addresses post-crisis planning scenarios, including what may still be possible after a lawsuit is filed, a personal guarantee is called, or a default occurs, and what is restricted under fraudulent transfer rules.
Participants will leave with a structured framework for identifying asset protection opportunities within their client base, practical knowledge of commonly used planning structures, and the ability to advise clients on both pre- and post-claim protection strategies.
Managing Partner | Aliant LLP
Jacob Stein, Esq. is the managing partner of Aliant, LLP. He specializes in asset protection planning, complex U.S. and international tax planning, and structuring international business transactions. Mr. Stein received his law degree from the University of Southern California, and a Master of Laws in Taxation from Georgetown University. He is ranked by Chambers and Partners in the High Net Worth Category, has been AV-rated by Martindale-Hubbell and named a ‘A Super Lawyer’ by the Los Angeles Magazine for over ten years and is listed in the top 1% of ‘America’s Most Honored Professionals’ by the American Registry. Over the course of his career, Mr. Stein has represented officers and directors of Fortune 500 companies, Forbes 400 families around the world, high-profile entrepreneurs, celebrities, high net-worth individuals, private equity funds, and many more. He is the author of books, dozens of scholarly articles and technical manuals including his most recent article, “Creative Planning Strategies Using Irrevocable Trusts,” published January 2020 in Thomson Reuters Estate Planning Journal. Other recent works include: “Tax Tips for Americans Doing Business in South America,” published in 2019 in the Journal of Taxation;A Lawyer’s Guide to Asset Protection Planning in California, Second Edition;International Joint Ventures – A Concise Guide for Attorneys & Business Owners; andAsset Protection for California Residents, Second Edition,the first and only book in print on asset protection planning specific to California residents that provides a sophisticated and in-depth look at the law in an accessible manner. Mr. Stein was an adjunct professor of taxation at the CSU, Northridge Graduate Tax Program for ten years. He lectures frequently to attorneys, CPAs and other professional groups, teaching over 50 seminars per year for state and local bar associations, estate planning councils, and international networking organizations. Mr. Stein is an instructor with the California CPA Education Foundation, National Business Institute, Thomson Reuters, the Rossdale Group, Lorman Education Services, Spidell Publishing, and many more. Mr. Stein is a member of several international legal networks, including: Union Internationale des Avocats, IR Global, and the International Bar Association.
