At ERX Wealth Partners, we believe wealth management is not only about growing assets — it’s about preserving and protecting them over time.

For more than 25 years, we have worked with clients to integrate asset protection considerations into their broader financial strategies. While we do not provide legal or tax advice, we coordinate closely with your chosen legal and tax professionals to help ensure that your financial structures are aligned with your goals for preservation and continuity.

Our Approach to Asset Protection Planning

• Preservation-First Mindset – Every recommendation considers both opportunity and vulnerability.

• Coordinated Strategy – We work with experienced attorneys, CPAs, and other subject matter experts to integrate protective measures into your overall wealth plan.

• Risk Awareness & Mitigation – From asset titling to liability management, we help identify areas where exposure can be reduced.

• Dynamic Review – Asset protection needs evolve; we revisit strategies with your team to address changing laws, markets, and personal circumstances.

While no asset protection plan can eliminate all risk or offer absolute guarantees, thoughtful planning and ongoing coordination can help reduce vulnerabilities and position your wealth for greater resilience.

Rainbow Bridge National Monument

The concept often attributed to John D. Rockefeller — “own nothing, but control everything” — is sometimes referenced to illustrate an approach within asset protection planning: the potential value of separating legal title of assets from their day-to-day use and oversight.

When structured appropriately and in accordance with applicable laws, separating title from operational control may help reduce certain vulnerabilities and enhance privacy. This does not remove responsibility or circumvent legitimate obligations — rather, it is a concept to be evaluated with qualified legal and tax professionals as part of a broader financial, estate, and risk management strategy.

No structure can fully insulate assets from all risks or claims, but integrating this principle into a coordinated plan may help improve overall financial resilience.

Vermilion Cliffs

A trust is a legal arrangement, with roots in English common law, that separates the legal title to assets from the benefits of using them. In its simplest form:

• Settlor (or Grantor): The person who establishes the trust and transfers assets into it.

• Trustee: The individual or institution responsible for managing those assets according to the trust’s terms.

• Beneficiary: The person(s) who may receive income or other benefits from the trust under the trustee’s administration.

Trusts can serve many purposes — from facilitating estate transfers and providing financial stewardship for future generations, to coordinating tax and investment strategies in a single, structured framework.

When incorporated thoughtfully, and in coordination with legal and tax professionals, a trust can help support long-term goals, improve governance, and add layers of clarity to how and when assets are used.

El Capitan

In the context of trusts, irrevocability means that once the trust is established and funded, its terms generally cannot be altered or revoked by the grantor (settlor). The trustee is bound to follow the trust’s instructions, managing and distributing assets according to the document’s provisions.

By creating an irrevocable trust, the grantor transfers ownership and control of the assets under the trust’s terms. While such trusts are sometimes incorporated into planning strategies intended to address certain risks, the level of legal or creditor protection they may offer depends on factors such as:

• Jurisdiction – State laws vary significantly on protections afforded to irrevocable trusts.

• Timing – The circumstances under which the trust is funded can impact enforceability.

• Provisions – Specific trust language can influence available protections and flexibility.

Because irrevocability is a binding commitment, these trusts should only be established in collaboration with qualified legal counsel — with a clear understanding of both their advantages and limitations.

Glacier National Park

In trust planning, a spendthrift provision is designed to limit how beneficiaries can access or control trust assets. These provisions can take many forms — from strict rules such as, “No distributions until graduate school is completed,” to more flexible guidelines like, “The trustee may approve distributions for investments that align with the trust’s objectives.”

A key feature of spendthrift provisions is that they may, in certain circumstances, help shield trust assets from a beneficiary’s creditors. The degree of protection depends on the trust’s design, the applicable state law, and the nature of the creditor claim.

While these provisions can be an important part of risk management in estate planning, they should always be crafted in coordination with qualified legal counsel to ensure they are both effective and compliant.

Blacktail Ponds Overlook

A self-settled trust is a type of trust in which the person establishing it (the settlor) is also a beneficiary. These structures are common in certain estate planning contexts — for example, many revocable living trusts are technically self-settled.

In some jurisdictions, specific forms of self-settled trusts are permitted to include features such as creditor-protection provisions or discretionary distribution rules. However, the effectiveness and enforceability of such protections vary widely by state law, the trust’s design, and how it is implemented.

Self-settled trusts can be complex, and they are not a universal solution. For individuals considering them as part of a broader asset protection strategy, it is essential to consult with an attorney experienced in trust law to assess whether the structure fits their objectives and to ensure compliance with applicable legal requirements.

When integrated thoughtfully — and in the right jurisdiction — a self-settled trust can be one element in a diversified, long-term wealth preservation plan.

IMPORTANT: The perspectives and viewpoints expressed on this website are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policies or positions of Mutual Advisors, LLC, doing business as (DBA) ERX Wealth Partners. The content is provided for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as specific investment, legal, or tax advice. Mutual Advisors, LLC DBA ERX Wealth Partners does not provide legal or tax advice. Please consult with a qualified attorney, accountant, or tax professional for guidance specific to your situation. The author assumes no responsibility for any actions taken based on the information provided herein.

Asset protection, estate planning, and tax strategies are complex areas subject to varying laws, rules, and regulations. Outcomes depend on many factors, including jurisdiction, timing, and individual circumstances. No plan or strategy can fully eliminate risk or guarantee results. All investments involve risk, including possible loss of principal. Past performance is not indicative of future results.

We Protect the Extraordinary — Thoughtfully and Strategically

Your unique lifestyle and assets deserve a risk management strategy as distinctive as you are. Our role is not only to help you grow wealth, but to help you protect it through coordinated, informed planning.

Through our relationship with Marsh McLennan Agency Private Client Services, we can connect clients with specialized insurance resources designed for complex or high-value needs. This collaboration offers access to global reach, deep industry experience, and highly tailored solutions — while maintaining your control over final decisions.

Our 3-Step Insurance Portfolio Review Process

1. Discover – We begin with a thorough risk review to understand your priorities, exposures, and current coverage.

2. Design – Based on your needs, we identify insurance solutions from specialized providers for your consideration.

3. Advocate – In the event of a claim, we coordinate with you and the carrier to help ensure the process is managed as effectively as possible.

All insurance services are provided through licensed insurance professionals. ERX Wealth Partners DBA as  and Mutual Advisors , LLC DBA ERX Wealth Partners do not underwrite insurance or act as an insurance carrier. Coverage availability, terms, and claims outcomes are determined by the issuing insurer. This material is for informational purposes only and is not a guarantee of coverage or results.