Why Choose Us?
At Merlino & Gonzalez, we help clients protect what they have worked hard to build through careful, forward-looking asset protection planning. Clients throughout Staten Island, New York City, and New Jersey trust our attorneys for strategies that are lawful, practical, and tailored to real-world risks.
- Over two decades of estate and asset protection experience
- Strategic planning for professionals, business owners, and property owners
- Personalized solutions based on asset type and risk exposure
- Clear guidance grounded in New York and New Jersey law
- Long-term planning focused on preservation and peace of mind
Asset protection has become an essential part of financial and estate planning. With lawsuits increasing and liability risks expanding, individuals and business owners face growing exposure to claims that can threaten their savings, property, and future income. At Merlino & Gonzalez, we work with clients to implement legally sound strategies designed to shield assets from unnecessary risk while remaining compliant with applicable laws.
How do I protect my assets in New York State?
Common strategies include utilizing trusts (irrevocable for creditor protection, dynasty for future generations), forming certain business entities like LLCs, and reviewing insurance coverage. However, each approach has nuances and legal complexities, so consulting a qualified attorney for personalized guidance is crucial.
Shielding Assets from Creditors
Our firm has expertise in assisting clients with the arrangement of their finances, real property and other assets in a manner that minimizes their exposure to potential creditors. We are well versed in establishing trusts, determining insurance needs, creating estate plans and organizing investments and business entities so that our clients are able to enjoy the highest level of confidence in terms of the security of their accumulated assets.
A creditor who initiates litigation against a person who has placed his or her assets into a trust, a foundation, or other entity may find that there are very few collectible assets actually owned by the person they wish to sue. Assets owned by a properly structured trust, foundation, or other entity are generally not subject to claims against their beneficiaries. In addition, placing assets into an asset protection entity may have the additional benefit of removing those assets from a person’s taxable estate.
We know how to evaluate current client holdings and work with our clients to identify the best ways to legally protect those holdings from a variety of creditors, whether through civil suits involving negligence or malpractice.
Our firm has a solid working knowledge of:
- Domestic and offshore trusts
- Domestic and offshore and domestic business entity formation
- Exempt asset protections under state law
- Negotiation and preparation of pre and post-marital agreements
The exact strategies employed by our firm may vary depending on the client, the nature of the assets, the country of origin, and the tax regulations that apply to those assets. The ultimate goal is to effectively protect assets in a manner that is effective, legal and ethical. Contact our team today!
Merlino & Gonzalez help residents of New York & New Jersey with their asset protection needs. Since their primary office is in Staten Island, they receive a lot of clients there as well as in the boroughs of Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, & The Bronx.