2026 Guide to California Asset Protection Trusts

An asset protection trust can be an essential strategy to ensure your finances are protected from creditors and legal claims. Notably, these types of trusts are not just for high-net-worth individuals. They can be used by anyone who wishes to safeguard their assets from potential liabilities. However, it’s important to understand that planning for an asset protection trust is a complex and multi-step process. There are certain requirements that must be met under California law in order for this type of trust to be effective.

Key Takeaways

• An asset protection trust is a crucial tool that can be used to shield your assets from potential creditors and lawsuits.
• There are several different types of asset protection trusts that can be used, including offshore trusts, support trusts, spendthrift trusts, and discretionary trusts.
• Assets must be transferred into the trust correctly to ensure the trust is properly funded and offers protection from creditors.

What is an Asset Protection Trust?

An asset protection trust is a type of trust that can shield your assets from future creditors and give you the peace of mind you need knowing that they are protected. They can also be an effective estate planning tool to help avoid probate. This type of trust legally separates your assets from you, making the trust the legal owner, while still allowing you to benefit. Since an asset protection trust is irrevocable, it cannot easily be altered once the assets have been transferred into it. This is essential to ensure the assets are protected from creditors.

What Types of Asset Protection Trusts Can Be Used?

Although California law doesn’t allow domestic asset protection trusts (DAPT), also referred to as domestic self-settled trusts, there are various types of asset protection trusts that are recognized in the state. The types of trusts that may be used for asset protection in California include the following:

• Offshore asset protection trusts: An offshore asset protection trust is established in another country, such as the Cook Islands, Nevis, or the Cayman Islands. These trusts are subject to the laws of the jurisdiction in which they are established, making them an effective deterrent to potential litigation. Not only would a creditor or litigant be required to commence a lawsuit within that jurisdiction if they wished to satisfy a judgment, but there are much shorter statutes of limitation for claims brought by creditors in those countries.
• Spendthrift trusts: A spendthrift trust is meant to protect a beneficiary’s assets from potential creditors by restricting their access. While creditors cannot reach the trust funds until they are paid to the beneficiary, a trustee also has the discretion to withhold distribution of the funds in the event of any legal threats. These types of trusts also protect beneficiaries from their own poor financial decisions and can help preserve generational wealth.
• Discretionary trusts: A discretionary trust is a flexible type of trust that can offer a high level of asset protection. A trustee has full discretion whether to distribute assets to the beneficiary, which means they can decide to distribute nothing at all. A creditor cannot force a distribution to satisfy a judgment and would not have any claim against the assets until they are distributed to the beneficiary.
• Support trusts: A support trust is used to provide for a beneficiary’s education and living expenses. These types of trusts offer limited asset protection since a creditor would still be able to reach the assets if they can show they were not necessary for the beneficiary’s support.

Significantly, each type of trust has its own rules and requirements. It’s vital to ensure a trust is set up properly in order for it to be effective in protecting your assets against future creditor claims.

What are the Steps to Create an Asset Protection Trust?

There are several steps involved in creating an asset protection trust. First, you must choose a trust structure that aligns with your specific objectives and financial needs. A knowledgeable asset protection trust attorney can best advise you regarding the type of trust that will meet your goals. The next step is choosing a trustee who will be responsible for managing the assets in accordance with your wishes. This individual could be a trusted family member, close friend, or professional trustee such as a bank or trust company.

Once you have selected a trustee, a trust instrument must be drafted specifying the trustee’s duties and instructions for distribution. You will also need to fund the trust by transferring assets into it. The trust can be funded with cash, real estate, investments, and various other assets. Critically, each trust asset must be transferred correctly to ensure it is protected. This process typically involves retitling assets in the name of the trust and changing any ownership documents.

Contact an Experienced California Asset Protection Trust Attorney

If you are considering an asset protection trust, it’s important to have a skillful asset protection trust attorney by your side. At White & Bright, LLP, our attorneys provide skillful counsel and high-quality representation to clients in California who wish to establish various types of asset protection trusts, including offshore trusts. We welcome you to contact or call us at (760) 747-3200 to learn more about our legal services.