Typically, an exploratory consultation with a Wealth Preservation Group member identifies priorities and determines if and how the group may be useful. The Private Client Consultant reviews client objectives and preferences with the Advisory Members to draft written recommendations for the client's consideration summarizing the areas of concern, a brief explanation of what each strategy is expected to accomplish, related costs and time to implement. If selected techniques call for preparation of legal documents, the client may use WPG attorneys or lawyers of their own choosing.

Asset Insulation Levels

The chief objective of asset insulation planning is to deter asset attachment by claimants and maintain family privacy. Since the incentive to bring suit is generally motivated by financial gain, minimization or possibly elimination of such incentive may make negotiating a favorable settlement more likely for the asset owner. Most well designed asset insulation programs will also contain characteristics aimed at reducing or eliminating estate taxation. It is advisable to coordinate estate planning objectives with asset insulation techniques while maintaining control and providing for those we care about most. Well crafted programs are economical, easy to understand and live with. The programs offered are not an attempt to “hide assets” but rather utilization of laws most favorable to substantial asset owners. Asset insulation as provided by WPG advisers is not suitable for families intending to defraud creditors, authorities or evade legitimate responsibilities. Insulation techniques are generally ineffectual when claims pre-exist planning inception.

Good program: $5,000 to $7,500

This base level planning involves creating entities (legal containers) to hold major assets while maintaining control. State laws are written to disallow direct attachment to assets held in these sorts of containers. With the exception of fraud and the most adamant of “results oriented” judges, this technique is quite adequate for most families.

Better program: $12,000 to $15,000

Same entities are employed as stated in the good program, however the majority of the equity interest of the entity is held by a self settled domestic trust (U.S. based) for the owner’s benefit. This extra layer of protection renders the underlying assets more difficult to attach judgment.


Best available: $25,000 and up

Since it is difficult at best to predict the outcome of any civil trial, this strategy involves using a non United States trust (offshore) to hold the entity equity interest. Foreign jurisdictions are not required to recognize United States internal laws or judgments. The combination of impediments makes it difficult to impossible for opportunist litigants to prevail.