By John Dietz
Senior Advisor

This is our first newsletter since our newly designed site. Along with the new design, this is actually an official launch of Trustmakers.com. The need for a low cost, safe, secure and affordable provider has arrived. Trustmakers was born out of the idea that, whether your assets are considerably large or just meager beginnings, you need asset protection. As the saying goes "whatever you have is all you have".

Our format for Trustmakers.com is going to be straightforward and educational. Our goal is to keep you up to date on the latest in the world of asset protection. As a matter a fact, congress is busy with homeland security again. There are some rumblings that full disclosure of all wire transfers outside U.S. borders will be required. There will be more on that later with a special report from our Chairman ,Rob Lambert. From Washington to Katmandu, if something is going to affect your assets, we will keep you informed. Remember the days when all you had to do was make money!

We are. and will continue to be, the lowest cost provider in the industry. However, our standards for excellence will remain. Rob Lambert, the founder and CEO, will not tolerate anything except proper implementation of strategies and plans. When we talk to you. it will be with honesty, clarity, and integrity.

In the upcoming months, you can expect to hear from us often. We will be including in our repertoire many of the best in the field of wealth preservation. Trustmakers will be your one stop shop for asset protection.

(But, If this is something you would rather not continue to receive, then please feel free to unsubscribe by using the link at the bottom of this email.)

Let's get started on what is important, if not essential, to protecting your world. Our first objective of the new site is to get back to the basics of wealth protection.

Can people acquire your assets?
Answer: Yes, without question!

Are you a really target?
Answer: If you have assets, absolutely!

How does a predator target you?
Answer: you're easy to find

I don't want to press the alarm button here, but let's look at the facts: One out of every three people can expect to be sued during their lifetime. With every passing year, there are more and more law students graduating from schools of law. If you're reading this newsletter, then the chances are you already know that.

I hear people talk in the and out of the industry about what percentage of your net worth would you have to pay to protect it. This is an oddity to me. For example, let's say you have $ 20,000.00 to protect and I charge you $10,000.00 to protect it. Doesn't sound like a good deal does it? Unless you make the mental leap that a lawsuit filed against you could potentially take your $20,000.00 along with your ability to earn income. This may sound bleak, but all too often this is how things get played out. Remember, there is a big difference between a pessimist and a realist. A pessimist goes into the casino and says "I'm probably going to loose." A realist opens his wallet and says to the blackjack dealer "How many hands can I play?"

Here is the basic problem: When things go wrong, we go into crisis management mode. We have periods of alarm, resistance, and then most likely exhaustion. Our brains go into fight or flight. In other words, we are either a deer in the headlights, or a deer running blindly at full speed into the night. In both cases the effort is misguided. because neither helps the situation.

I remember an old manager of mine that never planned his day. He was a hard worker and an honest person. However, when confronted with a problem, he would immediately relegate blame to some third party, other than the company, himself, or me. Although I appreciated his loyalty, his actions in crisis mode did nothing to facilitate answers or solve problems. It's almost as if we, as adults, play the kids game of "Tag." As long as the other person is "it", you have no responsibility. If only life were like that in the grown up world…

Asset protection is not tainting the world with some negative connotation that you will be sued tomorrow. Owning anything requires responsibility. And, as you increase your net worth. it ultimately takes more commitment to the task. The responsibility to handle your affairs wisely is the first step necessary for protecting your wealth. We can't guarantee that you will never be sued; but we can stop the financial incentive to litigate. Asset protection, in its purest form, is simply putting you in the driver's seat.

Let's get to it.

The founder and chairman of Trustmakers.com - Robert Lambert - has a simple yet profound call to action: If it's worth striving for, it's worth protecting! Some of the best things are so simple. So, where do we start?

Essentially, protecting your assets is preparing for what may never happen. The average American spends well over $50,000 in their lifetime on various insurances. We would not think of going one day without having either auto or homeowners insurance. Ask yourself a question: If there was a possibility of being sued, or some creditor was trying to get your hard earned money, what would you do?
Fight or flight? (By the way, neither works.) Seems like some of the hardest working, decent people I know find themselves on the wrong end of a judgment creditor.

A mentor of mine's favorite saying is "Success is when preparation meets opportunity." If you want to have any success in protecting the things that matter to you, preparation is the only legal call to action that works.

Let's get to the two basic key rules of asset protection:

1. What you don't own can't be taken from you.
2. No country in the world automatically recognizes US judgments

Number one is the most misunderstood. I recently spoke to an attorney who told me his understanding of asset protection was you give your money to someone, therefore you don't own it anymore, and therefore no one can take it from you. Right! The key point here, ownership. is much different from control. Number two is difficult if you think you need to move your money into some offshore, developing country. Normally if asset protection is done properly. you won't have to move your money to any foreign land. We will spend time getting comfortable on these subjects in upcoming newsletters.

At TrustMakers.com, we pride ourselves in giving you the most up-to-date information on establishing a well thought out asset protection plan. We always recommend that you involve your lawyer and accountant. Don't be alarmed if they are not up to speed on the world of asset protection. Today ,many professionals specialize in very specific arenas. This may not be their area of expertise. We will help bring them along if need be.

Rob Lambert wrote the first book on asset protection. Today there are many providers out in the shark infested waters. Although there are many legal techniques used in protecting one's assets, unfortunately there are just as many out there that will get you in hot water. Make sure you review our web page Asset Protection Misconceptions for examples of misguided asset protection plans.

Let me take time out for a brief albeit important infomercial.

One basic thing you can start doing today that is not very costly is to form some sort of entity. This is the first step to reduce your liability and it can always be combined with a comprehensive plan. To celebrate our new site, we are offering our new asset protection course ($299.00 value) with the formation of a Limited Liability Company for $995. That's a $1,300 package for only $995! To order a Limited Liability Company from Trustmakers CLICK HERE. Once you have completed the course, you will soon know why a simple Limited Liability Company is your first step toward implementing one of the other key asset protection principles: "Divide and conquer."

Remember, in the world of asset protection there is no Holy Grail. We take simple, common sense steps to try to eliminate the economic incentive to litigate. A word of caution: This cannot be done by a general practitioner, and should not be done on the cheap. If you get sued, you will spend much more on defense than the cost of a normal Trustmakers plan.

I hope I'm not sounding like some off-the-wall alarmist. But planning for the worst and hoping for the best is the only course of action. I always maintain the attitude that it's not a question of whether you may get sued; it's just a question of when. That may sound bleak, but it would be heart warming to know that you have done all you can to become an uninteresting target.

I hope these basic elements of wealth protection help you in your quest for keeping your assets intact. I'll leave you with this well known axiom: AN OUNCE OF PREVENTION IS WORTH A POUND OF CURE. Grandma gave me that one. I wish I would have understood it as kid.

For now
Good day to you.
John Dietz

PS: Be on the lookout for our Special Report on the newly signed Congressional Bankruptcy Law. Your IRA's may be jeopardy. This is no joke!

If you would like more information regarding asset protection, trusts, family limited partnerships or the subject of this article please call or email our office.