Quick Summary

Choosing the right asset protection attorney requires more than basic research; it demands a careful evaluation of experience, legal focus, and strategy. This guide explains how to identify attorneys who build effective protection plans for assets like real estate, business interests, and cryptocurrency. We also included best practices to help refine your selection process. Read more of our articles to discover essential asset protection tips and strategies.

Looking for the Right Asset Protection Attorney? 

If you are a high-net-worth individual exploring asset protection, finding the right legal advice is critical. Asset protection law is specialized and requires careful, tailored strategies. The internet is full of conflicting information, making it harder to know who to trust. 

Choosing the best asset protection attorney depends on your specific assets, goals, and jurisdictions. Since many attorneys in this field work discreetly, knowing what to look for is essential.

In this Blake Harris Law guide, we walk you through the key steps to finding a qualified asset protection attorney who can secure your financial future with precision and care.

Why Listen to Us

At Blake Harris Law, asset protection is our sole focus. We have extensive experience creating domestic and offshore structures, including the Cook Islands, Nevis, and Belize trusts. Our firm has helped hundreds of clients protect cryptocurrency, business interests, and real estate, staying ahead of legal and regulatory developments that impact financial security.

Understanding Asset Protection as a Legal Practice

Asset protection is a niche area of practice that demands highly specialized knowledge. It is not taught extensively in law schools and remains unfamiliar to many general practitioners. The field began gaining structure in the 1980s, largely due to the influence of pioneers like Barry Engel. 

Engel played a critical role in developing the Cook Islands International Trust Act, which became the model for offshore asset protection planning worldwide. His early work helped shape the strategies that leading asset protection attorneys continue to refine today.

What an Asset Protection Attorney Does 

Asset protection law focuses on helping individuals safeguard their wealth from future risks such as lawsuits, creditor claims, and financial disputes. Unlike other areas of law that respond to problems after they arise, asset protection is proactive. 

Attorneys in this field design legal structures such as domestic and offshore trusts, limited liability companies, and other entities to shield assets while remaining compliant with applicable laws. Protecting modern assets like cryptocurrency also requires a clear understanding of evolving financial technologies and international regulations.

Because asset protection involves complex jurisdictional issues, regulatory compliance, and sophisticated financial planning, working with an attorney who focuses exclusively on this area is essential. 

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Choose an Asset Protection Attorney 

Step 1: Identify Your Asset Protection Needs

Before choosing an attorney, clearly define the type of protection your situation requires. Asset protection strategies vary depending on the nature, value, and location of the assets involved. Different structures suit different risks.

Consider the following categories:

  • Domestic Asset Protection Trusts: For protection within the United States against future creditors.
  • Offshore Trusts: For stronger protection under jurisdictions like the Cook Islands, Nevis, or Belize.
  • Business Structures: For shielding business assets through LLCs, limited partnerships, or corporate entities.
  • Cryptocurrency Protection: For securing digital assets through trusts, multi-jurisdictional storage, and legal separation.

Identifying your primary concerns, whether creditor lawsuits, divorce settlements, or regulatory risks, will allow you to seek an attorney who can build the right combination of legal structures from the outset.

Step 2: Research Attorneys Focusing Exclusively on Asset Protection Law

Focus your search on attorneys whose practices are dedicated to asset protection law. General estate planners, litigators, or corporate attorneys may lack the technical knowledge required to build resilient structures against future claims.

Look for attorneys who:

  • Publicly emphasize asset protection planning as a core service
  • Maintain consistent publications, speaking engagements, or educational materials about asset protection
  • Offer both domestic and offshore solutions, not just wills or basic trusts
  • Regularly update their asset protection strategies to reflect changes in trust law, tax rules, and creditor enforcement trends

Asset protection attorneys who exclusively practice in this field will have a deeper understanding of the nuances needed to protect high-value, complex, or digital assets. Specialized focus often means stronger protection and fewer legal vulnerabilities later.

Step 3: Verify Experience and Ask Targeted Questions About Strategy

Asset protection planning requires more than basic trust drafting. Verify that the attorney has significant experience creating offshore trusts, LLCs, and protections for complex assets like cryptocurrency and business interests.

During your consultation, ask direct questions to test their depth of knowledge:

  • Which jurisdiction would best suit my assets and risk profile?
  • How would you structure a plan involving cryptocurrency or offshore holdings?
  • What is your ongoing role after the structure is created?
  • How do you ensure compliance with evolving domestic and international regulations?

An attorney focused on asset protection should explain how different structures, such as Cook Islands trusts, Nevis LLCs, or multi-jurisdictional banking arrangements, work together to build layered protection. Their answers should be precise, strategic, and tailored to your specific needs.

Step 4: Evaluate Communication and Process Clarity

Asset protection planning involves complex structures that require ongoing attention. Evaluate whether the attorney communicates clearly, sets realistic expectations, and outlines a plan for maintaining your protections over time.

During your discussions, assess:

  • How quickly and thoroughly they respond to questions
  • Whether they explain structures without legal jargon
  • How often they recommend reviewing and updating your plan
  • Their willingness to coordinate with your financial advisors and CPAs

An effective asset protection attorney will prioritize transparency, provide clear timelines for deliverables, and maintain an active role in safeguarding your structures as laws and risks evolve.

Step 5: Review Client Results and Feedback

Past client outcomes offer valuable insight into an attorney’s skill and reliability. Look for evidence of successful asset protection plans, smooth offshore trust setups, and ongoing client satisfaction.

Focus your review on:

  • Client testimonials that discuss specific results or strategies
  • Public reviews that highlight professionalism, responsiveness, and technical ability
  • References or case studies shared during consultation
  • Consistency of positive feedback across multiple platforms

Asset protection attorneys with a track record of protecting diverse assets and adapting to evolving threats are better positioned to deliver effective, lasting protection tailored to your situation.

Best Practices When Choosing an Asset Protection Attorney

Choosing the right asset protection attorney requires careful attention to more than just credentials. Focus on these key best practices to secure strong and lasting protection:

  • Vet Their Track Record, Not Their Advertising: Strong marketing does not guarantee strong results; review client feedback, request case studies, and verify a history of effective protection strategies for high-value assets.
  • Choose a Boutique Law Firm: Specialized boutique firms offer focused asset protection services, personalized planning, and direct attorney involvement critical to building strong, legally compliant structures.
  • Prioritize Personal Access and Direct Communication: Boutique law firms often provide closer attorney-client relationships, faster access, and more cost-efficient service compared to large firms, where work may be delegated.
  • Discuss Collaboration with Other Financial Professionals: Asset protection planning requires coordination with financial advisors, accountants, and tax professionals to create a cohesive, fully compliant strategy.
  • Clarify the Scope of Ongoing Support and Maintenance: Asset protection is an ongoing process; ensure the attorney offers regular reviews and updates to adapt your plan to changes in laws, assets, and risk exposures.

Which Asset Protection Attorney is the Best? 

Asset protection attorneys rarely make the news. That could have a lot to do with the specifics of this area of the law. Often, their greatest triumphs are not in winning cases, but rather in legal battles that are not fought. Of course, avoiding and preventing litigation is part and parcel of asset protection. 

Out-of-court settlements tend to be very private, and often confidentiality agreements are signed to keep the entire dispute confidential. For these reasons, there is no real way to know who the best Asset Protection attorney is, but that does not mean there is no right attorney for you.

Blake Harris Law is the Right Asset Attorney for You

At Blake Harris Law, we focus exclusively on asset protection, helping individuals secure their wealth through customized, legally sound strategies. Our firm has extensive experience with domestic and offshore asset protection trusts, including jurisdictions such as the Cook Islands, Nevis, and Belize. 

We also help clients safeguard non-traditional assets like cryptocurrency, ensuring digital holdings receive the same level of strategic protection as traditional investments. Our tailored approach includes:

  • Creating and maintaining offshore trusts in optimal jurisdictions to maximize protection
  • Structuring business and personal assets through LLCs and other legal entities
  • Designing secure solutions for cryptocurrency and digital asset holdings
  • Offering ongoing legal guidance as laws and regulations evolve

As Eric Hartjen from Baltimore, Maryland, shared:  

“I have had the pleasure of knowing Attorney Blake Harris for over a decade. Without hesitation, I can say he is the best resource for Asset Protection planning. Blake and his team are extremely knowledgeable, responsive, reliable, and genuine. If you are interested in protecting your property, I highly recommend you contact Attorney Blake Harris.” 

Choosing Blake Harris Law, a lawyer-owned law firm, means working with a team solely committed to preserving your financial future with care, precision, and professionalism.

Contact us today to schedule a consultation where we can discuss your situation.