Asset Investment Trust Blog

It’s been a while since most of you have hear from me and my life has shifted gears a little.  After several years of successful real estate investing, my wife and I purchased a coffee house in Lake Wylie, SC.  It’s been a lot of fun but I’ve missed the real estate business and find myself drawn back to it everyone time I see a house for sale.

Several investor friends have begun buying houses again and I’m thinking about sticking my toes back in the water.

If you have houses for sale, let me know.  Also trying posting them for sale on www.Blithernet.com

I’ve used Craiglsit, Backpage and many other classified websites.  All give me the same result … SPAM.

I finally found one that doesn’t fill my inbox with a bunch of crap, www.Blithernet.com.

I’ve listed two rental properties and sold a motorcycle using this free on line classified ad website.  The best part has been the lack of spam and the fact that it was free.  It’s the best of both worlds; lots of exposure and “FREE”

Give it a try,
Greg Gardner

Free Trust and Asset Protection Training

Join us for a Webinar on Tuesday, June 15
<https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/753962696>

This FREE Asset Protection Training Webinar will include links to free trust documents that can be used to start your asset protection strategy.  More importantly, we’ll explain the advantages or trusts, over LLCs, Corporations, Partnerships, etc.  You can begin protecting your assets NOW!  You don’t have to wait until it’s too late.

When you’ve been involved in an accident or named in a lawsuit, it’s too late.  The best asset protection won’t help and everything you have will be at risk.

Learn how the richest people in the country, Bill Gates, Warren Buffer, Donald Trump and others protect what they have.  Learn how you can use the same trust strategy to hold and protect everything form houses and cars to antiques, boats, stocks, and more.

Join us for free.
Title: Free Trust and Asset Protection Training
Date: Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Time: 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM EDT
After registering you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the Webinar.

Space is limited.
Reserve your Webinar seat now at:
https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/753962696

Many visitors have asked me to create a Podcast and it’s being considered, but before we go through the time and money to set this up, I’d like to asked how many people would subscribe.

If you would subscribe to a weekly Podcast on Asset Protection, please email me at the address below.

Thanks,
Greg Gardner
Greg@AssetInvestmentTrust.com

Our Free Blog is your best source for free asset protection information.

Don’t rely on your LLC for asset protection.
Don’t count on a corporation ether.
Don’t lose your assets, when they could be protected.

Most LLCs, partnerships, and corporations are found invalid when challenged in court.

Have you had an annual meeting every year?
Have you recorded minutes?
Have you submitted your annual paperwork?
Have you EVER co-mingled your LLC and personal funds?

A trust doesn’t require any paperwork and the trustee can have complete discretion to “co-mingle” the funds however they are directed by the beneficiary.  Trusts are private and so are the financial records.

The assets are protected without annual paperwork or meeting minutes.

Learn how land trusts and personal property trusts can protect you and your assets.

Visit www.AssetInvestmentTrust.com, today.

Greg Gardner
Asset Investment Trust

Being Prepared for Any Situation means you can better deal with the unexpected and a lawsuit is always unexpected.  But, you can mitigate the outcome by being prepared.

If you had open heart surgery, your doctor would be prepared for any possible situation.

- There’d be backup generators in case the power went out.
- There’d be backup equipment if something broke.
- Even the surgical staff can be replaced if the need arises.

If you’re a Realtor and there a mishap on the paperwork, you could be named in a lawsuit.  If you’re an investor and sell a house, you could be sued for problems, even if you didn’t know about them.  Anyone can sue anyone for anything and the outcome is NEVER guaranteed.

Although most frivolous lawsuits are thrown out, there are cases in every country in the country where “ridiculous lawsuits” were unexpectedly lost and people lose their assets every day.  Maybe you don’t find out about a mold problem until after closing or maybe your inspector missed a significant problem.

It may not be your fault, but you can still be sued and YOU CAN LOSE!!!

Unfortunately, there are many instances where insurance doesn’t cover you; from E&O, and liability to home owner’s insurance.  These companies don’t make money by paying claims.  They make money by collecting premiums and denying claims.

Now imagine losing a lawsuit.
Now imagine the judgment that follows.
Now imagine having to settle the judgment.

Are your assets protected?  In a few states, you might not lose your house, but what about your antique furniture, vehicles, boat, RV and other assets?  They’re not protected, in any state, if you own them.

Now imagine placing these assets in trust.
Who owns the assets?
Do you? No!

The assets are owned by the trust.  If you don’t own them, they can’t be taken to settle a judgment.

A simple living trust, land trust or personal property trust can protect your assets better than an LLC or any corporate entity.

Do you have an LLC?
Do you have an annual meeting, every year?
If not, your LLC is no longer valid and WILL NOT protect your or your assets.

That’s right, your LLC is no longer valid without the required meetings, minutes and annual documents required by your state.

That’s not true with a trust.

No annual paperwork is required by any state.  The trust is private and no state requires you to disclose the beneficiary or the assets of a trust.  No annual fees or setup fees are required.

Our 2010 Living Trust Course provides all the required information for creating a complete asset protection plan, using trusts.

Don’t just comment for points.  Learn how to protect yourself.  Visit our website.

Greg Gardner
Asset Investment Trust

I found a great software for estimating rehabs and making offers.

PVEPRO lets you preset figures like closing costs, appraisals, etc.  You can also estimate the rehab with PVE and it’s VERY good, and for $19.95 it’s a great deal.

Checkout the site; www.PVEPRO.com

Thanks,
Greg Gardner

Assets – More then Real Estate

If you think “Asset Protection” only means protecting your real estate, then you need to read this post.

Assets include much more than houses.  Your assets include cars, boats, antiques, stocks, cash and anything else you own.  If you own something, it’s an asset.

Many judgments have been settled through the seizure of assets other than real estate.  Many states have homestead laws that prevent seizure of someone’s residence, but this protection doesn’t extend to other assets and everything else can still be at risk.

Stocks, bonds, antiques, vehicles, and more can all be seized to settle a judgment – if they belong to you.

If you have a judgment against you, your assets can be lost.  If you own it, you can lose it.

However, you can’t lose something if you don’t own it.

If you grant your assets into trust, they no longer belong to you.

When creating a trust, you are agreeing to allow the trust (and trustee) to hold title (and ownership) of your assets.  Trusts allow you to maintain control without ownership.

• - You can drive the car, but it’s held by the trust.
• - You can use the antiques, but the trustee holds title.
• - You can enjoy the sailboat, but the title is not in your name.
• - You can have access to the money, but it’s not yours.

You can place these items in trust and protect them the same way you would protect a house.  You can keep from loosing these assets, just like a house.

Learn more by visiting our website; www.AssetInvestmentTrust.com.

Email questions to Greg@AssetInvestmentTrust.com

Greg Gardner
Asset Investment Trust

The following trust document is included in our 2010 Living Trust Creation Course, available through our site, www.AssetInvestmentTrust.com.  It’s provided here, for free and is a valid trust and can be used in any state to hold personal property like antiques, electronics, bank accounts, etc.

Some state’s law differs and additional documents may be required for land, cars, or boats to be placed in trust.

Please review this Declaration of Trust to understand the simplicity of a trust and how easy they are to create and feel free to post questions, as comments or email me directly, greg@assetinvestmenttrust.com.

Thanks,
Greg Gardner

Declaration of Trust

STATE of <STATE>
COUNTY of <COUNTY>

This Declaration of Trust Agreement is dated this <NT_Day> day of <NT_Month> <NT_Year>, and shall be known as the <NT_Name of Trust>.

This certifies that <NT_Trustee>, whose address is <NT_Trustee_Address_City_State_Zip>, is hereby appointed as Trustee for the aforementioned trust and is taking title to the following described property:

<NT_Asset_List_or_Description>

The Trustee will preserve, maintain and provide for the health, education and welfare of the Beneficiary named herein, their successors, heirs or assigns and preserve their entitled earnings, avails and proceeds of the assets. Furthermore, the Beneficiary’s only interest in this Trust shall consist of the power of direction to deal assets, and to the avails, monies, proceeds and dividends generated by the trust.

The Trustee is expressly prohibited from allowing records regarding this Trust, its assets or any part thereof, to be reviewed, given, shown or otherwise disclosed to any party and shall not be required to pay out any money on account of the Trust, unless furnished with adequate funds to do so.

The Trustee shall deal with the title to the assets only when directed to do so by the beneficiary and said direction is provided in writing. And is hereby appointed as attorney-in-fact for the beneficiary named herein.  He or she will have the full power and authority to take any action, as directed by the beneficiary.

If the Trustee can’t or won’t act, the duties of trustee shall resolve to the beneficiary until a new trustee can be appointed.

The Beneficiary shall have the right to sell, trade, option, give, bequeath or assign his or her beneficial interest or any part.

It shall be the responsibility of the Beneficiary to file any reports, including tax returns and income or expense reports.

The beneficiary may terminate the Trustee at any time.  Afterward, the Beneficiary may act as trustee or appoint a new trustee

This Trust Agreement shall hereby remain in effect for a period of twenty (20) years, unless otherwise dissolved, prior to that time.

Any amendments to this Declaration of Trust shall be in writing and only on the approval of the Beneficiary.

The Trustee and Beneficiary hereby accept the terms of this Declaration of Trust Agreement, dated this <NT_Day> day of <NT_Month> <NT_Year>, known as the <NT_Name of Trust>.

___________________________________                        _____________________________________________
WITNESS                                                                                                  <NT_Trustee>, as Trustee

Sworn to and subscribed before me.                                                 _______________________________________ (SEAL)
NOTARY PUBLIC

___________________________________                        _____________________________________________
WITNESS                                                                                                 <NT_Beneficiary>, as Beneficiary

Sworn to and subscribed before me.                                                 _______________________________________ (SEAL)
NOTARY PUBLIC

In Broward County, FL, Linda Baines filed a suit against Ronald Baines claiming, among other things, that Mr. Baines had misdirected her regarding financial investment advice and Miss Baines lost more than $100,000 in the stock market.

These individuals were not married and it was determined that the advice provided by Mr. Baines constituted that of a financial advisor.  This determination was based on financial advise that lasted almost two years, during which time Mr. Baines was treated to lunches and dinners where he would provide said financial advise.  Miss Baines claimed the meetings, dinners and lunches were expensive and part of a “payment” received for the advise.

Since Florida has homestead exemptions that protect a person’s personal residence, Mr Baines said he “wasn’t concerned” about the $58,000 judgement, in an article he published online.

However, Florida Law doesn’t protect the assets held by an individual and the judgement was satisfied through the seizure of antique furniture and stocks owned by Ronald Baines.

A simple trust, could have put these assets outside the reach of a judgement and protected Mr. Baines’ interest in them.

You can learn more about trusts here and on our websites; www.AssetInvestmentTrust.com