Maintaining your wealth is certainly not an easy feat. Because you have put sweat and tears into amassing your fortune, you need to know how to protect it. Yet, how can you do this when dozens of creditors are always waiting for you to slip to seize your assets? Fortunately, securing assets is not rocket science since many tried-and-true methods can help you protect your money and property.

Whether you are a shrewd business owner who built themselves from the ground up or an average Joe who came into money recently, try the next tips to properly secure your assets.

Hire a Lawyer

What is the best course of action for you, assuming that you do not have vast financial or legal knowledge? Whenever you find yourself out of your depth, consult an expert. For this reason, the first step you can take to protect your investments and money is to hire a lawyer. This is especially the case if you have recently named the executor during the probate process. The estate planning attorneys from this Johns Creek law firm explain that hiring professional help enables you to secure the deceased's assets, pay off their estate debts, and distribute the assets among other beneficiaries. Similarly, you may also want to have a lawyer by your side when drafting your will to ensure that your property falls into the right hands.

Keep Your Business Separate

The business scene can eat you whole if you do not properly protect your money. It only takes one bad investment for things to go awry. This is why it is better to set up an LLC (limited liability company) instead of being the only one owning and running your corporation, as this allows you to keep your personal and professional assets separate. In case you face any legal complications or your company becomes weighted down by debts, creditors will not be able to access your assets.

Purchase Insurance

With all its different kinds, insurance remains a staple for anyone who wants to protect their property. Whether you own an expensive car, real estate, or rental property, you can always benefit from purchasing insurance. Various policies like homeowners, auto, and liability insurance are usually a must, as they protect your property from theft, vandalism, and some common natural disasters and also prevent you from being the target of lawsuits. Car insurance, in particular, can also cover some of the damages you might unintentionally cause if you become involved in a car accident and are required to compensate the other party. Although these types of insurance are indeed effective, there are not enough to protect your assets if your net worth exceeds $500000. If this is the case for you, then you can invest in umbrella insurance along with other standard insurance types.

Retitle Your Assets

Married couples have an extra layer of protection when it comes to securing their assets. Some businesses are considered high-risk, so even if you take all the necessary precautions, you might find yourself getting the short end of the stick anyway. Thus, you can retitle some of your property and transfer the ownership to your partner. Just keep in mind that this strategy is only effective if your relationship is already stable. If you do not want to take the risk, you can resort to tenancy by the entirety (TBE) instead. This solution makes both you and your partner have joint ownership of the property, and none of you can sell it without the consent of the other. Assets that hold the TBE status are safe from creditors since they are not fully yours to exploit in the first place.

Cover Your Debts and Taxes

You should always be careful about paying your debts on time, especially if you have listed specific assets as collateral when applying for a debt. In case of your default, your collateral will be seized by creditors. So, you must remain vigilant when it comes to paying your monthly installments. In a similar vein, paying your taxes on time can help you avoid lawsuits and other legal complications, thus saving you money and protecting your property in the long term.

Managing and securing many assets is overwhelming. At any moment, they might be seized to settle lawsuits or pay your outstanding debts. So, being careful is key to remaining financially stable. By implementing different methods, such as investing in insurance, keeping your personal and professional assets separate, and retitling your property, you can guarantee that your wealth remains intact. Also, don't disregard the importance of consulting an expert when in doubt.


WRITTEN BY

Daria Brown