Sponsored By
Trusts & Estates logo

Creditor Protection for IRAsCreditor Protection for IRAs

A shift in favor of debtors has started to occur

20 Min Read
Creditor Protection for IRAs

 

For many individuals, qualified retirement assets, including individual retirement accounts, represent a substantial portion of their wealth. It’s estimated that approximately $17 trillion is currently held in retirement accounts in the United States.1 The benefits afforded by allowing assets to grow in a tax-deferred environment can give rise to tremendous wealth accumulation during the owner’s life and, if structured properly, to the owner’s family. These facts, combined with the litigious nature of our society, highlight the importance of protecting retirement assets from creditors. Fortunately, there’s a level of creditor protection available to IRAs.

 

Bankruptcy

On April 20, 2005, then-President Bush signed into law the Bankruptcy Ab...

Unlock All Access Premium Subscription

Get Trusts & Estates articles, digital editions, and an optional print subscription. Choose your subscription now and dive into expert insights today!

Already Subscribed?

About the Authors

Michelle L. Ward

Michelle Ward is a partner at Keebler & Associates in Green Bay, Wis. 

Michelle received her bachelor's degree from the University of Wisconsin- Madison and her law degree from University of Wisconsin-Madison Law School and is scheduled to receive her LLM in estate planning from Western New England College of Law in 2011. Her professional affiliations include the State Bar of Wisconsin and the Green Bay Estate Planning Forum.

Michelle is also co-author of Panel Publishing's Roth IRA Answer Book (2008 and 2009 Editions) and Quick Reference to IRAs (2008 and 2009 Editions) and AICPA's The Small Business Jobs Act of 2010: Tools, Tips, and
Tactics. Michelle has also authored articles appearing in Trusts & Estates, Investments and Wealth Monitor, and Journal of Retirement Planning.

Prior to joining Keebler & Associates, LLP Michelle was in private law practice in Green Bay and was also a Senior Consultant with Baker Tilly Virchow Krause, LLP. 

Mark Merric

Manager

http://www.internationalcounselor.com/

 

Mr. Merric is the manager of the Merric Law Firm, LLC, a manager of the Alliance of International Legal Counselors, LLC, and a manager of China-U.S. Import Export Sourcing Company. He is active in the areas of domestic and offshore asset protection, domestic and international estate planning and international business transactions. Prior to practicing as an attorney, Mark Merric developed a strong business background practicing as a Certified Public Accountant for over twelve years. During this time, he worked for a Final Four Accounting Firm, two local accounting firms, and managed his own accounting firm.