Asset Protection Planning
Nobody expects to face a lawsuit, yet millions of people do every year. The reality is that the more success you achieve, the more visible and vulnerable you become. At Usoro & Associates, P.C., we help you build the right legal and financial structures so you can take bold opportunities with confidence, knowing your assets and your future are protected.
Our Asset Protection Planning Approach
Divorce, inheritance disputes, health challenges, creditors, employee issues, theft, market shifts, malpractice claims, and partnership conflicts are just a few of the many circumstances that can result in costly and stressful lawsuits for individuals, families, and business owners. Those who believe they are immune to risk are often the ones most exposed when the unexpected happens.
More Americans than ever are concerned about protecting their assets from pandemics, creditor claims, taxes, divorce, and other unforeseen events—and with good reason. The more success you have, the greater the need for proactive planning to safeguard what you have built.
You may already be engaging in risky activities without realizing it. For example, you might be signing personal guarantees, operating rental properties, managing employees, or running a professional practice. You may also be part of a blended family or own separate property from a prior marriage. These are all normal parts of life, but without proper protection, they can create serious financial exposure.
Our goal is not to discourage your ambition but to protect it. We want you to continue building, growing, and creating opportunities while knowing that your personal and business assets are shielded from unnecessary risk.
We Help:
- Nuclear families, blended families, and non-traditional families
- Business owners and entrepreneurs
- Divorcées and widowers
- Professional service providers
- Landlords and tenants
- Those who want to protect their hard-earned assets as much as possible
Aniefiok I. Usoro
My name is Aniefiok I. Usoro, your local Personal Family Lawyer and founder of Usoro & Associates in Houston, Texas. My journey to estate planning has been anything but traditional, and it’s precisely that unique path that makes me passionate about protecting what matters most to families.
Legacy is about more than just wealth—it’s about people, purpose, and peace of mind. We offer personalized legal guidance once reserved for high-net-worth families, helping individuals from all walks of life make wise, lasting decisions. Our Life & Legacy Planning approach goes beyond traditional estate planning. It protects your assets and ensures your values, priorities, and relationships are preserved as part of your family story.
What We Do
At Usoro & Associates, P.C., we work with you to determine the level of asset protection that best fits your unique circumstances. We then design a personalized plan that integrates asset protection into your larger life and legacy strategy. All of our services are offered at flat-rate fees that are agreed upon in advance, so you always know what to expect and can plan with confidence.
Lifetime Asset Protection Trusts For Your Beneficiaries
Qualified Domestic Trusts
Qualified Personal Residence Trusts
Foreign Asset Protection Trusts
Family Protection Trusts
Domestic Asset Protection Trusts
Other Irrevocable Trusts Depending On Your Circumstances
Schedule Your Free
15-Min Consult
Schedule Your Free 15-Min Consult With our life and legacy planning model, we help you confidently make legal and financial decisions so you know you have a plan to keep everyone you love out of court and out of conflict after you pass. Schedule a complimentary consult to learn more.
Schedule Your Free
15-Min Consult
Schedule Your Free 15-Min Consult With our life and legacy planning model, we help you confidently make legal and financial decisions so you know you have a plan to keep everyone you love out of court and out of conflict after you pass. Schedule a complimentary consult to learn more.
Frequently Asked Questions About Estate Planning
What Type of assets con be protected?
Only certain assets are suitable for placement in an asset protection trust. Once those assets are identified, they can be transferred into a properly structured trust to safeguard them from future or unknown creditors. This type of transfer protects your assets both during your lifetime and after your death, including protection from certain tax liabilities.
However, there are potential drawbacks to consider. Transferring assets may affect your control over them, create possible gift tax implications, or impact exposure to existing creditors. What you can protect and how you should structure that protection depends on your specific circumstances, including your state of residence, where your business is organized, and where your assets are located.
Some assets are automatically considered exempt from creditor claims. Exempt assets vary by state but often include clothing, tools, household furnishings, and sometimes life insurance or social security benefits. An experienced attorney can help you determine which assets qualify for protection and how to maximize those safeguards.
Do I Need An Attorney?
Yes. Asset protection planning is a complex legal area that requires skill and experience to ensure your assets are properly shielded. The right plan can make the difference between long-term financial security and unnecessary exposure to risk.
At Usoro & Associates, P.C., we help clients design comprehensive protection strategies tailored to their assets, businesses, and personal goals. Avoid relying on generic templates or online tools that fail to account for your unique situation. The best protection comes from working closely with an attorney who understands both the law and your priorities.
How much does it cost?
We understand that cost is an important factor when planning for your family’s financial security. Our firm offers all asset protection services on a flat fee basis, so you will always know the total investment upfront. There are no hidden charges or unexpected costs.
Because each situation is different, we do not provide quotes online or over the phone. Instead, we invite you to attend one of our educational events where we explain our planning process, fee schedule, and the steps you can take to protect what you have worked hard to build.
Is my retirement plan protected from creditors?
In most cases, yes. Federal law protects many types of qualified retirement accounts, including profit-sharing plans, pensions, and 401(k)s, from creditor claims. However, traditional and Roth IRAs may not always be fully protected depending on the state and specific circumstances.
At Usoro & Associates, P.C., we review each client’s situation carefully to identify which retirement accounts are protected and which may need additional planning. Our goal is to ensure your retirement savings remain secure regardless of what life brings.
Does asset protection actually work?
Yes, when done correctly, asset protection planning is highly effective. The principle is simple: assets that you own outright are vulnerable to seizure by creditors, while assets you do not legally own cannot be taken from you.
Effective asset protection separates ownership from control. This allows you to retain the ability to manage and benefit from your assets while removing them from direct exposure to creditor claims. It is important to note, however, that asset protection must be established before a creditor issue arises. Once a claim is known or likely, it is too late to create a valid plan.
How Much Should My Estate Plan Cost
Many families shop for an estate plan based solely on price, not realizing that a low-cost plan may fail to protect their loved ones or properly manage their assets. This guide explains why cost alone is not the best way to choose an estate plan and how a Life & Legacy Planning Session ensures your family is financially organized, informed, and empowered.