Preface

• Author: Jeffrey Robert Matsen
• Profession: Founder and managing partner of Matsen Voorhees Mintz LLP
• Pages: 7-8

vii

The one constant over the many years of my prac-

tice and among the hundreds of different clients

Ihave served is the imbalance between, on the one

hand, their profound concern regarding Asset Pro-

tection, and on the other, their lack of understand-

ing of how to implement it.

The purpose of this book is to provide read-

ers with a straightforward and elementary under-

standing of what Asset Protection really is and how

it can be effectively implemented by taking various

steps—like rungs on a ladder. By reading this book,

you as readers are initiating the process of protect-

ing the assets you have worked so hard to build

and preserve. It is, in essence, the beginning of your

journey in setting up this hypothetical ladder. The

goal of this discussion is to give you enough basic

information to take the all-important next step in

implementing your Asset Protection plan, and help

you truly climb the ladder of success.

Over the years, I have represented hundreds of

small business owners, physicians, professionals,

corporate executives, and real estate investors. My

practice has centered on meeting my clients’ needs

in the areas of Estate, Business, Asset Protection

and Real Estate Planning. In addition, because of

my substantial Estate Planning practice, I have

also had extensive experience in Probate and Trust

Administration.

Because most of these areas of the law are

closely connected and become intertwined in the

lives of my clients, it is important for them to have

an integrated plan with respect to the protection,

preservation, and transfer of their assets. That is

why I have developed the concept of “The Ladder

of Success”—a multi-tiered approach to addressing

our clients’ concerns and needs. Asset Protection

Planning really is like a ladder: Such planning is

multi-tiered and works together as a whole to bring

an individual to a higher level of protection. Some

of the steps of the ladder may not be relevant for

each client, but for most professionals, almost all

of the tiers are worthy of consideration and review.

The Ladder of Success is focused specifically

on Asset Protection Planning and is designed to

help all types of clients preserve and protect their

assets during their lifetimes so they can be trans-

ferred in the most tax-saving and efficacious man-

ner to the next generation.

Preface