How does asset protection work, according to the firm?

The firm's stated premise is that asset protection removes the economic incentive for a person, and that person's attorney, to pursue a claim in court. The aim is to take legal steps that make a client unattractive to potential claimants rather than to conceal anything.

What is the Bridge Trust?

The Bridge Trust is registered offshore but domesticated for tax and administrative purposes. Assets can remain in the United States with the client's current bank, the client may be the trustee, and the firm states no IRS Form 3520 or 3520A, FinCEN, or FATCA disclosures are required while it stays domesticated. If a legal crisis occurs, the trust and its assets cross the bridge to the Cook Islands.

Why does the firm not rely on a domestic asset protection trust alone?

The site states that domestic asset protection trusts are often ineffective because they must honor judgments from other states, a weakness it says offshore trusts do not share.

What does an asset protection plan cost?

The site gives starting points rather than fixed fees: domestic plans from $8,000, the Bridge Trust from $35,000, and foreign plans from $40,000. It states that pricing depends on total asset value, family involvement, business entities, and potential risks, and that a consultation is needed for a precise estimate.

Asset-protection attorneys

Lodmell & Lodmell

Lodmell & Lodmell is an asset protection law firm working with clients nationwide from an office in Scottsdale, Arizona. The practice builds trust and entity structures - domestic asset protection trusts, foreign trusts, and the firm's own Bridge Trust - intended to discourage creditor claims against a client's assets.

Engagements begin with a no-obligation, confidential review of the client's financial resources, risk level, asset classifications, and personal objectives. The firm also sells a 30 minute asset protection analysis for $275. The Bridge Trust is registered offshore but domesticated for tax and administrative purposes, so assets can stay in the United States with the client's current bank and the client may act as trustee; the firm states there are no IRS Form 3520 or 3520A, FinCEN, or FATCA filing requirements while it stays domesticated. If a legal crisis occurs, the trust and its assets cross over to the Cook Islands.

The firm says it has protected and preserved client assets since 1997 and has worked with thousands of clients nationwide. It maintains a network of affiliate attorneys, financial advisors, and CPAs, and runs an Asset Protection Council through which other lawyers can co-counsel or refer clients. Its own materials position the Bridge Trust as a combination of an Asset Management Limited Partnership and a limited liability company with the trust on top.

Published plan pricing is indicative rather than fixed: domestic plans start from $8,000, Bridge Trust plans from $35,000, and foreign plans from $40,000, with the firm stating that total asset value, family involvement, business entities, and risk all move the number. Confirm scope, annual maintenance, and total cost in writing before engaging.

Best for

Property and business owners who want layered trust and entity structuring and can fund a plan starting at $8,000 for a domestic structure or $35,000 for the Bridge Trust. Not a fit for someone who only needs a single LLC formed.

What they do

Domestic asset protection trusts
Foreign asset protection trusts (Cook Islands)
Bridge Trust structuring
Asset Management Limited Partnerships
Limited liability company formation and layering
Paid asset protection analysis consultations
Affiliate attorney and advisor referral network

Details

Attribute	Value
Founded	1997
How they charge	Indicative starting points: domestic plans from $8,000, Bridge Trust from $35,000, foreign plans from $40,000; a 30 minute analysis is $275.

What stands out

States it has protected and preserved the assets of thousands of clients nationwide since 1997.
Offers a 30 minute asset protection analysis priced at $275.
Publishes indicative plan pricing: domestic plans from $8,000, Bridge Trust from $35,000, foreign plans from $40,000.
Created the Bridge Trust, registered offshore but domesticated for tax and administrative purposes so the client may act as trustee.
Office listed at 8160 E. Butherus Drive, Suite 4, Scottsdale, Arizona.

Common questions

How does asset protection work, according to the firm?: The firm's stated premise is that asset protection removes the economic incentive for a person, and that person's attorney, to pursue a claim in court. The aim is to take legal steps that make a client unattractive to potential claimants rather than to conceal anything.
What is the Bridge Trust?: The Bridge Trust is registered offshore but domesticated for tax and administrative purposes. Assets can remain in the United States with the client's current bank, the client may be the trustee, and the firm states no IRS Form 3520 or 3520A, FinCEN, or FATCA disclosures are required while it stays domesticated. If a legal crisis occurs, the trust and its assets cross the bridge to the Cook Islands.
Why does the firm not rely on a domestic asset protection trust alone?: The site states that domestic asset protection trusts are often ineffective because they must honor judgments from other states, a weakness it says offshore trusts do not share.
What does an asset protection plan cost?: The site gives starting points rather than fixed fees: domestic plans from $8,000, the Bridge Trust from $35,000, and foreign plans from $40,000. It states that pricing depends on total asset value, family involvement, business entities, and potential risks, and that a consultation is needed for a precise estimate.