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225 W 35th St, 5th FL., NY 10001
Asset Protection Strategies for High-Net-Worth Individuals — Presti & Naegele’s Guide to Safeguarding Wealth
The more wealth you build, the more you have to lose — and the more strategic you need to be about protecting it. Whether you’re a business owner, an investor, or a high-earning professional, lawsuits, creditors, and unexpected liabilities can put your personal and business assets at risk.
Asset protection isn't just for the ultra-wealthy or corporations — it's for anyone with something to lose. At Presti & Naegele, we help individuals and businesses create forward-thinking strategies to safeguard wealth and ensure long-term security. Our approach is legal, structured, and personalized to fit each client's unique situation.
In this guide, we’ll break down the most effective asset protection strategies for high-net-worth individuals, business owners, and anyone looking to secure their financial legacy.
1. What Is Asset Protection and Why Does It Matter?
Asset protection is the process of legally structuring your financial holdings in a way that shields them from potential threats — including lawsuits, creditors, or divorce settlements. The goal is to keep your assets safe without violating any laws or engaging in risky behavior.
Effective asset protection is about proactive planning, not reactive scrambling. Once a lawsuit is filed or a judgment is in motion, it's usually too late. That’s why it’s critical to take steps before there’s a threat on the horizon.
Who benefits from asset protection?
- Business owners and entrepreneurs
- Real estate investors
- High-net-worth individuals and families
- Physicians, attorneys, and other professionals in high-risk fields
- Individuals going through divorce or business litigation
With the guidance of a seasoned advisory team like Presti & Naegele, asset protection becomes a long-term strategy — not just a short-term fix.
2. Common Threats to Personal and Business Assets
Understanding what you're protecting against is the first step to building an effective strategy. Here are the most common threats that put personal and business wealth at risk:
1. Lawsuits
Whether you're running a business or simply own property, lawsuits can come from almost anywhere — customers, employees, vendors, tenants, or even neighbors.
2. Creditors and Debt
Outstanding debts from personal loans, business liabilities, or guarantees can give creditors access to your assets if things go south.
3. Divorce
Divorce proceedings often involve the division of significant assets. Without proper structuring, your wealth may be vulnerable.
4. Tax Liabilities
Mistakes in tax filing or aggressive deductions can lead to audits and substantial penalties, putting both business and personal assets at risk.
5. Economic Volatility
Recessions, industry changes, or market downturns can quickly diminish unprotected assets.
At Presti & Naegele, we conduct holistic risk assessments to identify your specific exposure areas and tailor a strategy around them.
3. Legal and Effective Asset Protection Strategies
Let’s be clear: asset protection is not about hiding money or evading obligations. It's about using legal structures and strategies to create separation between your assets and potential risks.
Here are the most common legal tools we use at Presti & Naegele:
1. Limited Liability Companies (LLCs)
LLCs help separate personal assets from business liabilities. They’re essential for entrepreneurs, real estate investors, and independent contractors.
2. Trusts
Trusts — particularly irrevocable trusts — allow you to move assets out of your name legally, which can help shield them from lawsuits or creditors.
3. Family Limited Partnerships (FLPs)
FLPs are used to consolidate family assets and provide protection while allowing control to remain within the family.
4. Asset Titling and Segregation
How you title your assets (individually, jointly, under a trust, etc.) can significantly impact their vulnerability.
5. Insurance
A solid insurance policy — from liability coverage to umbrella policies — is a first line of defense.
When implemented with proper legal guidance and ongoing oversight, these tools become powerful layers of protection. Presti & Naegele builds strategies that integrate multiple structures to maximize security and compliance.
4. Asset Protection Strategies for High-Net-Worth Individuals
High-net-worth individuals face unique challenges when it comes to asset protection. More visibility often means more risk — and higher value assets call for more complex strategies.
Here’s how Presti & Naegele addresses those needs:
- Asset Segregation: Dividing assets among entities to limit exposure
- Advanced Trusts: Domestic asset protection trusts, spendthrift trusts, dynasty trusts
- Integrated Estate Planning: Ensuring wealth transfer and protection go hand-in-hand
- Tax-Efficient Structuring: Minimizing tax liability while securing your assets
- Privacy Strategies: Keeping ownership details private through layered structures
The key is to approach asset protection as part of a broader wealth strategy — not as a standalone solution.
5. Asset Protection Planning for Business Owners
Business owners are particularly vulnerable to lawsuits, debt, and operational liabilities. Without careful planning, personal wealth can easily get caught in the crossfire.
At Presti & Naegele, we help business owners:
1. Separate Personal and Business Assets
This includes setting up proper legal structures like S Corps, C Corps, or LLCs, depending on the business type and goals.
2. Use Holding Companies
Holding companies allow business owners to separate operating risk from asset ownership.
3. Draft Solid Operating Agreements
Clear agreements between partners reduce disputes and offer legal protection in the event of lawsuits or dissolutions.
4. Plan for Succession and Exit
Ownership transition strategies — including buy-sell agreements — protect your interests if a partner leaves or passes away.
Asset protection for entrepreneurs is not just about risk reduction — it's also about business continuity and wealth preservation. Presti & Naegele brings the legal and tax expertise to make this happen.
6. Integrating Asset Protection With Estate Planning
Asset protection and estate planning often get treated as separate areas — but combining them can significantly strengthen both.
At Presti & Naegele, we help clients structure their estate in a way that:
- Shields assets from creditors before they become part of the estate
- Minimizes estate taxes and probate exposure
- Ensures long-term protection for beneficiaries
- Prepares for life events like incapacity, remarriage, or blended families
Whether you're passing on a family business or a portfolio of real estate, integrating estate and asset protection planning ensures your wealth stays in the right hands — legally and efficiently.
7. The Role of Ongoing Monitoring and Adjustment
One of the most overlooked components of asset protection? Ongoing oversight.
Laws change. Your business grows. Family dynamics shift. The strategy that worked five years ago may not serve you today.
That’s why Presti & Naegele offers adaptive asset protection strategies with built-in review processes. We help clients stay ahead of:
- Changes in tax code or state laws
- Business restructures or expansions
- Divorce, inheritance, or health changes
- Shifting market conditions
Your wealth is dynamic. Your protection plan should be, too. Our team is here to adjust your strategy as life evolves.
8. Why Work With Presti & Naegele for Asset Protection?
Asset protection is not a one-size-fits-all product. It's a highly personalized strategy that requires a balance of legal compliance, tax efficiency, and long-term thinking.
At Presti & Naegele, we offer:
- Holistic Planning: We consider every aspect of your financial picture — personal, business, tax, and estate
- Deep Expertise: Decades of experience navigating asset protection in high-stakes scenarios
- Customized Strategies: Every plan is tailored to your goals, risk profile, and asset structure
- Proactive Adjustments: We monitor changes and update strategies accordingly
- Ongoing Support: We're not just a one-time service — we're a long-term partner in protecting your legacy
Asset protection is about more than peace of mind — it’s about ensuring that what you’ve built is preserved and positioned for the future.
Secure Your Wealth With a Custom Asset Protection Plan
Don’t wait until your assets are under threat to start protecting them. The best time to put a plan in place is when things are going well — and you have time to do it right.
Whether you're looking to shield business assets, integrate your estate plan, or protect family wealth for the next generation, the team at Presti & Naegele is ready to help.
Start the conversation today — schedule a consultation and take the first step toward securing your financial future.
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New York (NYC) Location
225 W 35th St, 5th FL New York, NY 10001
Phone: (212) 736-0055
Stamford, CT Location
350 Bedford St, Ste 303 Stamford, CT 06901
Phone: (203) 356-1061
Long Island, NY Location
487 Jericho Trnpk, Syosset, NY 11791
Phone: (212) 736-0055
