Absolutely, and we usually do. Your asset protection plan may need only one firewall to well-shield an asset or it may require several. No matter how strong a particular firewall may be, there's some possibility that it can fail. That's why we 'layer' or use multiple firewalls. It is our 'belt and suspenders' approach to asset protection. If one firewall fails; another stands. And we impose still more firewalls should they become necessary. The challenge is to know which firewalls to use in a particular case, and when to add more firewalls. We want at least two firewalls to build a more solid plan.
Asset protection plans often evolve in stages. For instance, you may start with a preventative plan and advance to a crisis plan. Normally we add firewalls only if and when they become necessary. If you protect yourself before you incur a liability, you should need only one good basic level of protection using one, or possibly two, firewalls. This won't necessarily be your final plan if you're sued because your crisis plan may need additional firewalls for maximum protection against that particular threat. Your goal is always to be as judgment-proof as possible when you walk into the courtroom. Of course, a crisis plan is usually more costly and complex than a basic plan and that's why we usually layer firewalls only after a legal threat arises. Until then, we can't foresee which firewalls would give you the best protection because this greatly depends upon the amount and nature of the claim, as well as how far the creditor is likely to go to pursue your assets. So we start with a cost-effective, simple plan. After all, you may never get sued. Nor is every lawsuit wealth-threatening. So we add firewalls only as a serious threat advances. Why overbuild your plan prematurely? This forfeits flexibility and may needlessly add cost. Inevitably, your plan must give you safety, yet no plan is guaranteed. Nevertheless, multiple or combined firewalls exponentially strengthens your plan. For example, we frequently combine or layer limited partnerships with international trusts, foreign LLCs and foreign self-protected investments to create one integrated, formidable four-layer firewall barrier. But you can take advantage of countless layering possibilities to create a 'defense-in-depth'.
