Asset protection planning is taking steps to protect your personal and business assets from creditors. Despite its name, asset protection planning is not just for business owners; anyone with significant assets can benefit from it. But as a small business owner, there are several reasons why you might want to put in place an asset protection plan.
Perhaps you have a high net worth and want to make sure your assets are protected in the event of a lawsuit. Or maybe you’re worried about creditors going after your business in the event of a financial setback. Whatever your reasons, here are six benefits of asset protection planning for small business owners you must know.
Legal Protection
If you’re a small business owner, you’re probably no stranger to lawsuits. Whether it’s a disgruntled employee, a dissatisfied customer, or simply bad luck, lawsuits can happen to anyone. And if you don’t have an asset protection plan, your personal and business assets could be at risk.
An asset protection plan can help shield your assets from creditors in the event of a lawsuit. For example, if you set up a trust, the assets in the trust may be protected from creditors. Or, if you transfer ownership of your home to your spouse, it may be exempt from seizure by creditors.
Financial Hardship Protection
Even the most successful businesses can experience financial hardship. If your business faces tough times, you may worry about creditors seizing your assets. But if you have an asset protection plan, you can safeguard your business from creditors.
So let’s say your business is facing bankruptcy. If you have a trust set up, the assets in the trust may be protected from seizure by creditors. Or, if you transfer ownership of your business to your spouse, it may be exempt from seizure by creditors.
Reduce Your Tax Burden
Asset protection planning can also help reduce your tax burden. For example, with a trust set up, the assets in the trust may be subject to lower taxes than if they were held in your personal name. Or, if you transfer ownership of your home to your spouse, the transfer may be eligible for a tax deduction.
Create an Estate Plan
An estate plan is a way to ensure that your assets are distributed according to your wishes after you die. For example, if you have young children, you may want to set up a trust to provide for their care in the event of your death.
Protecting Your Close Ones
Asset protection planning can also help protect your family from creditors. For example, if you have a disabled child, you may want to set up a trust to provide for their care in the event of your death. Or, if you’re married, you may want to transfer your home ownership to your spouse to protect them from creditors.
Avoid Probate
Probate is the legal process of distributing a person’s assets after death. If you don’t have an asset protection plan, your assets may be subject to probate. But if you set up a trust or transfer ownership of your assets before you die, your assets may be exempt from probate.
Final Word
Asset protection planning is a complex process with many factors to consider. But if you’re a small business owner, it’s important to understand the benefits of asset protection planning.
By putting an asset protection plan in place, you can safeguard your assets from creditors, reduce your tax burden, and create an estate plan. We are sure the above benefits helped you understand the full picture.