By Jake Lawson, LLC Formation Strategist
Let me be blunt: most LLC owners I meet think their single-member Wyoming LLC is bulletproof asset protection. It’s not. If you’re serious about protecting wealth—whether that’s $500K or $50 million—you need more than basic business formation. You need sophisticated legal architecture.
After helping over 1,200 entrepreneurs structure their businesses, I’ve learned that the magic happens when you layer LLCs with trusts. But here’s the catch: this isn’t DIY territory. You need an attorney who actually understands both asset protection AND estate planning—not just someone who dabbles in business law.
Why Most Attorneys Won’t Cut It for Advanced Structures
I’ve seen too many entrepreneurs waste money on lawyers who promise the moon but deliver basic boilerplate documents. The problem? Most business attorneys focus on contracts and corporate compliance. Asset protection requires a completely different skill set.
What you need is an attorney who specializes in BOTH:
- Asset Protection Law – Understands charging orders, domestic vs. offshore structures, and how to create legitimate barriers between you and potential creditors
- Estate Planning – Knows how trusts work, tax implications of different structures, and how to integrate your business entities with your overall wealth strategy
Red flags to avoid:
- Attorneys who only do basic wills and estates
- Business lawyers who’ve never set up sophisticated trust structures
- Anyone who promises “100% protection” (that’s legally impossible)
- Firms that are biased toward one particular state without understanding your specific situation
The Trust-LLC Strategy That Actually Works
Here’s the structure I recommend to most of my high-net-worth clients: Start with a revocable trust, then have that trust own your LLC(s).
Why this works:
- The trust provides estate planning benefits and potential privacy advantages
- The LLC provides operational flexibility and additional liability protection
- Together, they create multiple layers that make it harder for creditors to reach your assets
For complex businesses: Consider having your trust own a “holding company” LLC, which then owns your operating LLCs. This creates even more separation and control.
Important note: This only works if it’s set up correctly and maintained properly. One mistake in documentation or operation can collapse the entire structure.
How I Vetted These Attorneys (My Selection Criteria)
I didn’t just Google “estate planning lawyers near me” and call it a day. Each attorney on this list had to meet strict criteria based on my 15+ years of experience working with legal professionals.
Every attorney listed must:
- Specialize in BOTH asset protection AND estate planning (not just one or the other)
- Have experience working with small business owners and entrepreneurs
- Provide services throughout their entire state (not just one city)
- Focus on educating clients rather than pushing unnecessary products
- Maintain excellent client service standards
- Be unbiased about state selection (won’t automatically push Delaware or Nevada without good reason)
What I looked for specifically:
- Track record with LLC and trust integration
- Understanding of multi-state business operations
- Experience with both domestic and international structures
- Reasonable fee structures without hidden costs
- Responsive communication and clear explanations
State-by-State Attorney Directory
Important disclaimer: I’m not affiliated with any of these law firms. I don’t get paid if you hire them. This is purely a resource based on my research and professional network. When you contact them, feel free to mention that Jake Lawson from Llciyo sent you.
Alabama
Fortune & Beard Law Specialties: Asset protection, estate planning, M&A, and business litigation Why they made the list: Strong track record with business owners, comprehensive service offering
Miller Law
Specialties: Estate planning, business asset planning, elder planning Why they made the list: Focused approach to asset planning for both personal and business contexts
Palmer Law Firm Specialties: Estate planning, business succession, asset protection Why they made the list: Excellent reputation for business succession planning
Alaska
Cavaliere Law Firm Specialties: Estate planning, asset protection, business and tax planning Why they made the list: Comprehensive understanding of tax implications in asset protection strategies
Manley & Brautigam Specialties: Business planning, estate and trust, asset planning Why they made the list: Strong business planning focus with estate integration
O’Connor Law LLC Specialties: Estate planning, asset planning, probate, and trust Why they made the list: Specialized focus on trust-based strategies
Arizona
Sudden Wealth Protection Law Specialties: Estate planning, asset protection, family wealth transfer Why they made the list: Specializes in sudden wealth scenarios (perfect for entrepreneurs who’ve had successful exits)
LifePlan Legal AZ Specialties: Estate planning, asset protection, elder care Why they made the list: Comprehensive life planning approach
Forakis Law Firm Specialties: Estate planning, asset protection, business law Why they made the list: Good balance of business and estate planning expertise
Arkansas
Rippey, Stepps, & Associates Specialties: Estate planning, asset protection, business law, elder law Why they made the list: Full-service approach with strong business law foundation
McClelland Law Firm, P.A. Specialties: Estate planning, trust administration, Medicaid planning Why they made the list: Deep expertise in trust structures and administration
Green Law Firm Specialties: Asset protection, estate planning, business formation and succession Why they made the list: Strong focus on business succession planning
California
Patinelli & Chang Specialties: Estate planning, asset protection, business protection, charitable planning Why they made the list: Excellent reputation for sophisticated planning strategies
Modern Wealth Specialties: Estate planning, asset protection, trust administration, probate Why they made the list: Modern approach to wealth management integration
Morgan Law Group Specialties: Estate planning, asset protection, trust administration, elder law Why they made the list: Comprehensive service offering with strong trust expertise
Bagla Law Firm Specialties: Business formation, asset protection, M&A, international business Why they made the list: Excellent for international entrepreneurs and complex business structures
Asset Protection & Elder Law Specialties: Estate planning, asset protection, business law, elder law Why they made the list: Name says it all – specialized focus on asset protection
Law Offices of Tyler Dhal Specialties: Business law, trust and estates, asset protection, tax law Why they made the list: Strong tax law background crucial for complex structures
Colorado
Chayet & Danzo Specialties: Asset protection, estate planning, business planning, probate litigation Why they made the list: Litigation experience helps them build stronger protective structures
Law Mother Specialties: Asset protection, estate planning, estate tax protection, trust administration Why they made the list: Unique approach to comprehensive planning
Law Office of Michelle Adams Specialties: Estate planning, asset protection, business succession, charitable planning Why they made the list: Strong business succession focus
Connecticut
Estate Planning Law Center, LLC Specialties: Asset protection, estate planning, probate, wills Why they made the list: Focused practice area with deep expertise
Legacy Law Partners Specialties: Asset protection, estate planning, business planning, special needs Why they made the list: Comprehensive approach to legacy planning
J. DiMauro Law Specialties: Asset protection, estate planning, tax law, elder law Why they made the list: Tax law expertise crucial for complex structures
Delaware
Williams Law Firm Specialties: Asset protection, estate planning, business formation, trust administration Why they made the list: Deep Delaware expertise (important for Delaware entities)
DiPetro Law Specialties: Asset protection, estate planning, trust administration Why they made the list: Specialized focus on the trust-entity combination
Procino-Wells & Woodland Law Specialties: Asset protection, estate planning, elder law, trust administration Why they made the list: Multi-state practice with strong trust capabilities
Florida
Trust Counsel Specialties: Asset protection, estate planning, business succession, international planning Why they made the list: Excellent for complex international structures
Alper Law Specialties: Asset protection, estate planning, business entities, trust administration Why they made the list: Strong combination of business entity and trust expertise
Procino-Wells & Woodland Law Specialties: Asset protection, estate planning, elder law, trust administration Why they made the list: Multi-state practice with proven track record
Jakob Legal Specialties: Asset protection, estate planning, college protection planning Why they made the list: Innovative approach to protection planning
Janyl Smith P.A. Specialties: Asset protection, estate planning, business succession, wealth planning Why they made the list: Comprehensive wealth and legacy planning approach
The Presser Law Firm, P.A. Specialties: Domestic and international asset protection, estate planning Why they made the list: One of the few firms with true international asset protection expertise
[Directory continues for all 50 states…]
Getting the Most from Your Attorney Consultation
Before you call, have these ready:
- List of your current business entities and their purposes
- Estimate of your net worth and liquid assets
- Your primary concerns (lawsuit protection, tax minimization, estate planning, etc.)
- Timeline for implementation
Questions to ask during consultation:
- “How would you structure a trust to own my LLC(s)?”
- “What are the ongoing compliance requirements?”
- “How does this affect my taxes?”
- “What happens if I move to another state?”
- “What are your total fees, including ongoing maintenance?”
Red flags during consultation:
- Pushes one-size-fits-all solutions
- Can’t explain the strategy in plain English
- Focuses more on selling than understanding your situation
- Promises results that sound too good to be true
What to Expect: Timeline and Costs
Typical timeline for trust-LLC setup:
- Initial consultation: 1-2 weeks to schedule
- Document preparation: 2-4 weeks
- Final review and execution: 1-2 weeks
- Total: 6-8 weeks for complete setup
Typical cost ranges:
- Simple revocable trust + single LLC: $3,000-$7,000
- Complex multi-entity structure: $10,000-$25,000+
- Annual maintenance: $1,000-$5,000 depending on complexity
Remember: This is investment, not an expense. A well-structured asset protection plan can save you millions in the right circumstances.
The Bottom Line on Advanced Asset Protection
Look, if you’re running a profitable business or have significant personal wealth, basic LLC formation isn’t enough. You need the sophisticated planning that only comes from working with attorneys who truly understand both asset protection and estate planning.
The attorneys on this list represent the best I’ve found in each state. They’re not perfect (no attorney is), but they have the expertise and experience to create structures that actually work.
Don’t wait until you need protection to get it. By the time you’re facing a lawsuit or creditor issues, it’s often too late to implement these strategies effectively.
Ready to Take Your Asset Protection Seriously?
These attorney recommendations are just the starting point. The real value comes from proper business formation strategy that integrates with your overall wealth plan.
Need help before you talk to attorneys? Our business formation specialists can help you understand your current structure and prepare you for more advanced planning. We’ve worked with many of these attorneys and can help you ask the right questions.
Looking for simpler solutions first? Check out our comprehensive guides to LLC formation in your state. Sometimes the best asset protection starts with getting your basic business structure right.
Jake Lawson has guided over 1,200 entrepreneurs through business formation and asset protection strategies. His recommendations are based on 15+ years of experience working with attorneys, accountants, and business owners across all 50 states. Llciyo.com is not affiliated with any of the listed law firms and receives no compensation for referrals.