We regularly post articles about recent developments in Florida law. We also address common questions and provide examples of effective asset protection strategies.

We have been publishing legal articles on our site for over twenty years, making it one of the oldest legal blogs in the country.

Florida asset protection attorneys Jon Alper and Gideon Alper, part of Alper Law

Cook Islands Trust vs Nevis Trust

Both Cook Islands Trusts and Nevis Trusts are among the most popular offshore trust options. They offer strong legal frameworks that protect assets from creditors and lawsuits. However, deciding which jurisdiction is the best fit…

Cook Islands trust cost

Cost to Establish a Cook Islands Trust

The cost to establish a Cook Islands trust generally ranges between $10,000 to $25,000 for initial setup, with ongoing annual fees typically between $3,500 to $6,000 for trustee services and legal maintenance. The exact amount…

How to Add a Name to a Deed in Florida

To add a name to a deed in Florida, you must choose the type of ownership, prepare the new deed, sign and notarize the new deed, and record the deed in the county records. Here’s…

The Most Frivolous Lawsuits Ever Filed

Lawsuits are designed to resolve genuine disputes and ensure fairness. However, not every case that makes its way into court has merit. Some lawsuits are widely viewed as frivolous—cases filed with little or no legal…

What It Costs to Set up an Asset Protection Trust

An asset protection trust is either a domestic irrevocable trust or an offshore trust. They have different costs depending on the type of trust. Initial Setup Costs The main expense is the cost of establishing…

What Does a Trust Attorney Do?

A trust attorney drafts your trust, prepares your will and related documents, and helps you make informed choices with your overall estate plan. Drafting and Structuring Trust Documents One of the primary responsibilities of a…

What Are the Disadvantages of a Trust?

While trusts are one of the most effective tools for estate planning, they have some disadvantages too. The main disadvantages of a trust are its cost, maintenance responsibilities, lack of control of irrevocable trusts, and…

Differences Between a Cook Islands Trust and a Nevis LLC

A Cook Islands trust and a Nevis LLCs are both effective offshore asset protection tools. The entities and their clients’ assets are beyond the jurisdiction of U.S. courts. Creditors cannot use Florida court collection tools…

Fraudulent Transfer Laws in the Cook Islands

A fraudulent transfer is a transfer of an asset (1) done with the intent to hinder or delay collection by a creditor or (2) that makes the debtor insolvent without receiving reasonably equivalent value. Fraudulent…

Can an Offshore Trust Protect Real Estate?

Offshore trusts are most effective when your assets are transported from the United States to a trustee situated in a foreign country. The trust and the trustee are beyond U.S. court jurisdiction. We typically recommend…

Guide to Bridge Trusts for Asset Protection

What Is a Bridge Trust? A bridge trust is a type of irrevocable trust used in offshore asset protection planning. It combines the features of domestic and offshore trusts. This means it starts as a…

Notice of Trust in Florida

What Is a Notice of Trust? A notice of trust is a legal document filed with the court in Florida that informs the public and potential creditors that a trust has been established for a…

How to Hide Money From a Spouse in Florida

Why Do People Want to Hide Money? We occasionally receive requests from clients who want to hide assets from their husband or wife. Most of these clients want to hide money from their spouse for…

Can You Purchase a Florida Homestead to Protect Non-Exempt Money?

Florida law allows you to protect unexempt assets at any time by purchasing a Florida homestead. A key feature of Florida homestead law is the homestead’s exemption from fraudulent conversion claims brought under Florida’s fraudulent conversion statute….

Can IRS Go After Florida Homestead Property?

When it comes to safeguarding your home from creditors, Florida’s homestead exemption provides one of the strongest protections in the United States. However, many homeowners wonder about the extent of this protection, especially concerning federal…

Kelley’s Homestead Paradigm

The Kelley’s Homestead Paradigm is a flowchart created by attorney Rohan Kelley. It shows what happens to a Florida homestead property once the owner dies. The paradigm includes six primary questions and then outlines what…

How Do Creditors Find Your Assets?

Florida law provides judgment creditors numerous means to find information about a debtor’s income and assets. Discovery in aid of execution in Florida refers to the legal process by which a judgment creditor finds (discovers) debtor assets…

Are Mobile Homes Protected Under Florida Homestead Law?

Florida homestead law does apply to mobile homes. They are not protected under the Florida Constitution, but they are protected under section 222.05  of the Florida Statutes. The statute provides that mobile homeowners and occupants…

How to Use a Single-Purpose LLC

What Is a Single-Purpose LLC? A single-purpose LLC is a limited liability company that owns a single asset. Most often, single-purpose LLCs hold a particular real property or they own certain intellectual property such as…

Can Homestead Exemption Be Waived in Florida?

Sometimes clients ask me about loan contracts they may have signed many years ago. These contracts often have a section or paragraph that states the borrower waives all of the statutory exemptions, including their homestead…

Dynasty Trust in Florida

A Florida dynasty trust is an estate planning trust that provides estate tax savings and asset protection throughout multiple generations. As with any Florida trust arrangement, a dynasty trust is a contract between a trustmaker,…

Difference Between a Will and Trust in Florida

A Florida trust has more estate planning benefits compared to a will. The most well-known benefits are avoidance of guardianship and avoidance of probate. With a living trust, you convey title and ownership of your…

Living trust with s corporation stock

Can a Living Trust Own Subchapter S Corporations?

Many of our estate planning clients own S-Corps. A living trust may have adverse income tax consequences for owners of a small business taxed as a Subchapter S corporation (S-Corp) unless the trust agreement is…

Living trust avoid estate taxes

Does a Florida Living Trust Avoid Estate Taxes?

A living trust does not completely avoid estate taxes, but it can help reduce them. Assets in a living trust are still considered part of your estate for tax purposes. Certain types of trusts can…

Researching SBA debt collection law

How Does SBA Debt Collection Work?

The Small Business Administration (SBA) has specific procedures for debt collection when a borrower defaults on an SBA loan. When a borrower defaults on an SBA loan, the lender typically sends a notice of default….

Judgment Lien Renewal in Florida

A judgment lien is a legal mechanism where a creditor secures their ability to collect against a given piece of property. With a Florida judgment lien, a creditor can encumber your property, including real estate,…