Keep What You've Built

Keep What You've Built

By Wyoming Trust AttorneyBusinessInvesting
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Keep What You've Built episodes

  • Trusts 101: Legacy Planning and Domestic vs. Offshore, with Yonathan Amsalem

    Book a consultation with Mark:

    https://calendly.com/d/cvvy-kzq-jtv/discovery-call-trust-consultation

    Have questions or want to get in touch with Yoni? Send us a message at [email protected]

    Most business owners think legacy planning is about paperwork. It is really about control, continuity, and making sure a judge does not decide what happens to everything you built.

    Attorney Yonathan Amselem, who goes by Yoni, joins Maggie Pierce and Mark Pierce to break down how to protect a business, a family, and a future from probate, creditor claims, divorce, and the kinds of surprises that can tear an estate apart.

    Yoni runs Calvary International Law, where he helps clients build the legal architecture around holding companies, trusts, and cross-border structures. Mark brings decades of estate and trust planning perspective, including the practical realities of succession, control, and what happens when families wait too long to plan.

    You’ll discover:

    • Why legacy planning starts with one simple question: who gets what, who is in charge, and when
    • How small businesses can get dragged into probate and stall while everyone waits on the court
    • The difference between revocable and irrevocable trusts, and why “irrevocable” does not always mean giving up control
    • When Wyoming makes sense for domestic planning, and when offshore jurisdictions like the Cook Islands, Cayman Islands, BVI, or Belize may—or may not—be appropriate
    • Why asset protection is often the byproduct of good legacy planning, not a separate afterthought

    Mark and Yoni also tackle the fears people have about trusts, estate taxes, and losing control over their assets. They explain why many people are worrying about taxes they will never owe, while overlooking far more common risks like child liability, divorce, lawsuits, bad corporate documents, and family dynamics that can quietly destroy an estate.

    The big takeaway: the most dangerous plan is no plan. If your businesses, trusts, and operating agreements do not match what you think you own, you may already be exposed. And if you wait until there is a crisis, it may be too late to fix it cleanly.

    Essential listening for business owners, real estate investors, high-liability professionals, and anyone who wants to leave behind something real instead of a legal mess. If you have assets, a family, or a company to protect, this conversation shows you where to start.

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    This podcast does not give legal advice. This podcast and any associated content is generalized, should not be considered applicable to your particular situation and does not provide advice concerning the particulars of your situation. Neither listening to this podcast, nor speaking to our customer services personnel in any way obviates the qualified professional help we urge you to seek. It is of utmost importance you retain a professional before embarking upon any action discussed herein.


    Presented by Wyoming Trust Attorney. 

    This podcast does not give legal advice. This podcast and any associated content is generalized, should not be considered applicable to your particular situation and does not provide advice concerning the particulars of your situation. Neither reading this site, nor speaking to our customer services personnel in any way obviates the qualified professional help we urge you to seek. It is of utmost importance you retain a professional before embarking upon any action discussed herein. 

    41 min
  • Using AI to Create Your Estate Plan: What Could Go Wrong?

    Book a consultation with Mark:

    https://calendly.com/d/cvvy-kzq-jtv/discovery-call-trust-consultation


    Have questions? Send us a message at [email protected]


    AI can help you start the research, but it can also hand you a mediocre trust, a costly mistake, or a plan that falls apart when it matters most. Mark Pierce breaks down the red flags behind online trust scams, DIY estate planning disasters, and why a little legal nuance can make the difference between real asset protection and expensive fiction.

    You'll discover:

    • The fatal flaws with AI-generated trust documents
    • How to verify whether an attorney is actually licensed, located, and practicing where they say they are
    • Why sealed court records and local nuance make AI a weak substitute for real trust law experience

    Mark also explains where AI can be useful, including as a starting point for research or a way to quickly identify statutes and issues before checking the source law yourself. But, he draws a hard line between using AI as a tool and relying on it to produce legal documents or replace an experienced attorney who has actually litigated these issues in court.

    If you're considering a trust, researching asset protection, or wondering whether that online legal offer is the real thing, this episode is essential listening.


    Presented by Wyoming Trust Attorney. 

    This podcast does not give legal advice. This podcast and any associated content is generalized, should not be considered applicable to your particular situation and does not provide advice concerning the particulars of your situation. Neither reading this site, nor speaking to our customer services personnel in any way obviates the qualified professional help we urge you to seek. It is of utmost importance you retain a professional before embarking upon any action discussed herein. 

    22 min
  • Take Some Money Off the Table! Protecting Wealth Before You Need To

    Ready to start planning? Click here to book a meeting with Mark. 

    Use Code PODCAST100 for a complimentary consultation.

    Most entrepreneurs wait until a crisis hits to think about asset protection, and by then it’s already too late. Mark Pierce breaks down the two mistakes that can wipe out what you’ve built: failing to take money off the table and failing to protect it once you do.

    Maggie Pierce pushes into the practical side of that strategy, asking what “taking money off the table” actually looks like during boom times, what happens in a real downturn, and why cash becomes the ultimate advantage when everyone else is desperate. Mark shares hard-earned lessons from crashes like 1987 and 2008, including the deals, timing, and mindset that separate people who survive from people who get crushed.

    You’ll discover:

    • Why upcycles are the exact time to de-risk, not double down
    • How asset protection trusts work, and why timing matters so much
    • The difference between movable and immovable assets
    • When an LLC is enough, when a holding company helps, and when a Wyoming QST starts to make sense
    • How umbrella insurance fits into a broader protection plan
    • Why doctors, real estate investors, and entrepreneurs face very different liability risks

    Mark also walks through real-world examples, including malpractice exposure, wrongful death claims, family business succession, and the costly consequences of waiting until a lawsuit or divorce is already underway. He explains why proactive planning is treated differently under the law than last-minute scrambling, and how the right structure can protect both your assets and your peace of mind.

    If you own real estate, run a business, have meaningful equity, or expect your wealth to grow, this conversation will help you think more clearly about what should be protected now - before you need it. Essential listening if you want to build something valuable and keep it.

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    This podcast does not give legal advice. This podcast and any associated content is generalized, should not be considered applicable to your particular situation and does not provide advice concerning the particulars of your situation. Neither listening to this podcast, nor speaking to our customer services personnel in any way obviates the qualified professional help we urge you to seek. It is of utmost importance you retain a professional before embarking upon any action discussed herein.


    Presented by Wyoming Trust Attorney. 

    This podcast does not give legal advice. This podcast and any associated content is generalized, should not be considered applicable to your particular situation and does not provide advice concerning the particulars of your situation. Neither reading this site, nor speaking to our customer services personnel in any way obviates the qualified professional help we urge you to seek. It is of utmost importance you retain a professional before embarking upon any action discussed herein. 

    46 min
  • The Best Prenup Isn't a Prenup

    Ready to start planning? Click here to book a meeting with Mark.

    Divorce can wipe out decades of family wealth, and the usual prenup may not be enough. Mark Pierce reveals why a Wyoming asset protection trust can function as the stronger prenup, shielding appreciating assets, family businesses, and future growth from becoming marital property.


    Maggie Pierce sits down with Mark Pierce, founding attorney of Wyoming TrustAttorney.com, to break down the difference between a traditional prenuptial agreement and an asset protection trust. With over 40 years of experience as an attorney, CPA, and business owner, Mark explains why prenups can invite litigation when assets change value, and how trusts are designed to keep those assets outside the marital estate in the first place.


    You'll discover:

    • Why a prenup can become vulnerable when a business or investment grows far beyond its original valuation
    • How a self-settled asset protection trust works in states like Wyoming, Alaska, Nevada, and Delaware
    • Why the trust structure can protect not just against divorce, but also against creditors and family liabilities
    • How business owners use LLCs underneath a trust to isolate risk and preserve working capital
    • Why family succession planning matters long before a crisis forces the issue

    Mark also shares real-world examples of what happens when a family business is exposed to divorce, lawsuits, or poor timing, including cases where substantial wealth was lost simply because the right structure was not in place early enough. He explains why high-risk professionals like doctors, dentists, and attorneys, along with family businesses grossing more than $500K a year, should think about this planning now rather than later.


    If you own a business, expect to build wealth, or want to keep family assets intact across generations, this conversation is essential listening. It’s a blunt, practical look at how to protect what you’ve built before life, law, or family conflict forces the issue.

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    This podcast does not give legal advice. This podcast and any associated content is generalized, should not be considered applicable to your particular situation and does not provide advice concerning the particulars of your situation. Neither listening to this podcast, nor speaking to our customer services personnel in any way obviates the qualified professional help we urge you to seek. It is of utmost importance you retain a professional before embarking upon any action discussed herein. 


    Presented by Wyoming Trust Attorney. 

    This podcast does not give legal advice. This podcast and any associated content is generalized, should not be considered applicable to your particular situation and does not provide advice concerning the particulars of your situation. Neither reading this site, nor speaking to our customer services personnel in any way obviates the qualified professional help we urge you to seek. It is of utmost importance you retain a professional before embarking upon any action discussed herein. 

    28 min
  • What 1,000 Bankruptcy Cases Taught Me About Protecting Wealth

    Ready to start your plan? Click here to book a meeting with Mark.

    How do business owners and families protect what they’ve built before a financial crisis puts it at risk?

    In this episode, Maggie Pierce sits down with attorney, CPA, and former bankruptcy trustee Mark Pierce to explore the real-world lessons he learned from administering more than a thousand bankruptcy cases. They discuss why traditional exemptions often fall short, how LLCs and asset protection trusts can help safeguard a family business, and why planning early matters most.

    Mark breaks down the role of Wyoming LLCs, the difference between tangible and intangible assets, the practical value of asset protection trusts, and the professionals families should have in their corner when building a long-term legacy plan.

    Whether you’re a business owner, investor, or simply thinking more seriously about your family’s financial future, this conversation offers a candid look at protecting assets, preparing for downturns, and planning for the generations ahead.

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    This podcast does not give legal advice. This podcast and any associated content is generalized, should not be considered applicable to your particular situation and does not provide advice concerning the particulars of your situation. Neither listening to this podcast, nor speaking to our customer services personnel in any way obviates the qualified professional help we urge you to seek. It is of utmost importance you retain a professional before embarking upon any action discussed herein. 



    Presented by Wyoming Trust Attorney. 

    This podcast does not give legal advice. This podcast and any associated content is generalized, should not be considered applicable to your particular situation and does not provide advice concerning the particulars of your situation. Neither reading this site, nor speaking to our customer services personnel in any way obviates the qualified professional help we urge you to seek. It is of utmost importance you retain a professional before embarking upon any action discussed herein. 

    40 min
  • Keep What You've Built — Coming September 15th

    We cover wealth preservation strategies that usually stay behind closed doors.

    If you're an entrepreneur, investor, or high earning professional who wants to keep and grow what you've built, this show is for you.

    First episodes drop September 15th. Follow now so they land in your feed.

    Presented by Wyoming Trust Attorney. 

    This podcast does not give legal advice. This podcast and any associated content is generalized, should not be considered applicable to your particular situation and does not provide advice concerning the particulars of your situation. Neither reading this site, nor speaking to our customer services personnel in any way obviates the qualified professional help we urge you to seek. It is of utmost importance you retain a professional before embarking upon any action discussed herein. 

    1 min

About Keep What You've Built

From the publisher's feed

This is Keep What You've Built, the show where we go in-depth on the wealth preservation strategies nobody talks about publicly. 

Every week, I sit down with my dad, attorney Mark…