When facing a lawsuit and a possible judgment against you, protecting your assets is crucial. Like many people you likely maintain a share of your money in a bank account. Protecting your bank account is a key element of an overall plan of action to shield your assets from seizure if a judgment is entered against you in a lawsuit. The most effective way to protect a bank account from judgment following a lawsuit is setting up and placing your account into a trust.
Step 1
Obtain a sample or standard form for an irrevocable spendthrift trust. An irrevocable spendthrift trust specifically is designed to protect your assets from seizure by a creditor, including for a judgment arising out of a lawsuit.
Step 2
Designate a person to serve as your trustee. You must not only select a person with experience and whom you trust but an individual that understands your financial needs and desires.
Step 3
List yourself as the beneficiary of the trust. In other words, you are both the grantor (the person creating the trust) and the individual who benefits from the trust.
Step 4
Name a successor beneficiary or beneficiaries if you so desire. These are individuals you enjoy the benefits from the trust upon your death. Taking this step provides an added benefit because you are able to avoid probate costs and estate taxes.
Step 5
Select the assets that are included in the trust, including your bank account. List these assets in an exhibit to the trust. You can add additional assets into the trust in the future. However, with a revocable trust you personally lack the ability to take assets out of the trust without the approval and action of the trustee.
Step 6
Sign the trust agreement in front of a notary public.
Step 7
Change the ownership of your bank account from personally your own to:
John Doe Trust Account, Jane Doe, Trustee.
Warnings
- You need to establish an irrevocable trust as opposed to a revocable one if you desire to protect your assets from a judgment. A revocable trust leaves you with discretion to change, alter or even cancel the trust. An irrevocable trust takes certain assets -- including a bank account -- out of your hands and away from the reach of your creditors. You receive payments from the trust at the discretion of the trustee and creditors are unable to attach assets in a trust because you have no direct control over them.
Tips
- Due to the importance of asset protection and the complexity of creating a trust, consider hiring an attorney. There are attorneys who specialize in trusts and similar types of legal matters. The local and state bar associations in your area maintain directories of lawyers to aid you in finding one to represent your interests. Contact information for these organizations is available through the American Bar Association.
References
- "Wills, Trusts, and Estates"; Jesse Dukeminier, Robert H. Sitkoff, James M. Lindgren & Stanley M. Johanson; 2005
- "The Complete Book of Trusts;" Martin M. Shenkman; 2002
Resources
Tips
- Due to the importance of asset protection and the complexity of creating a trust, consider hiring an attorney. There are attorneys who specialize in trusts and similar types of legal matters. The local and state bar associations in your area maintain directories of lawyers to aid you in finding one to represent your interests. Contact information for these organizations is available through the American Bar Association.
Warnings
- You need to establish an irrevocable trust as opposed to a revocable one if you desire to protect your assets from a judgment. A revocable trust leaves you with discretion to change, alter or even cancel the trust. An irrevocable trust takes certain assets -- including a bank account -- out of your hands and away from the reach of your creditors. You receive payments from the trust at the discretion of the trustee and creditors are unable to attach assets in a trust because you have no direct control over them.
Writer Bio
Mike Broemmel began writing in 1982. He is an author/lecturer with two novels on the market internationally, "The Shadow Cast" and "The Miller Moth." Broemmel served on the staff of the White House Office of Media Relations. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in journalism and political science from Benedictine College and a Juris Doctorate from Washburn University. He also attended Brunel University, London.