The Asset Protection Show: Expert Strategies by Attorney John Skabelund

In this episode, discover what a syndication actually is, how GP and LP structures work, the critical SEC regulations every new syndicator must follow, and the 3 key components to vet before making any investment. Join John Skabelund in Part 2 of this 3-part series as he taps into the expertise of real estate operator and investor Brent Kawakami to break down the reality of real estate syndications.

Many clients frequently invest in real estate syndications and desire to become real estate syndicators themselves. But what does it actually take to bring together investors, raise millions in capital, and manage the legal and personal risks involved? Join John Skabelund in Part 2 of this 3-part series as he taps into the expertise of real estate operator and investor Brent Kawakami to break down the reality of real estate syndications.

Brent is a real estate operator and investor with extensive experience in multifamily acquisitions, underwriting, investor relations, and asset management. He is experienced in raising equity and procuring debt from strategic partners to support new acquisitions, having been involved in over 100+ multifamily transactions.

John Skabelund is an experienced and nationally recognized attorney with extensive experience protecting client's assets throughout the United States. He has adeptly protected a diverse range of clients' estates, ranging from $500,000 to over $100 million. His clientele spans real estate investors, business owners, executives, and professionals in various fields, including medicine, law, sports, and technology. John skillfully creates comprehensive estate plans tailored to each client's unique needs, ensuring their legacy can be preserved for generations. He also has represented clients in the buying and selling of businesses across a multitude of industries.

Work with a trusted asset protection law firm:

https://ultimateassetprotection.com/

SHOW NOTES:

00:00 - Intro.

01:30 - What Is a Real Estate Syndication? Group Purchasing & Crowdfunding Explained.

03:06 - The Capital-Raising Challenge & Why Syndications Are Needed.

05:02 - Securities Law Warnings: SEC Rules, 506(b) vs 506(c), and Accredited Investors.

07:00 - General Partners (GPs) vs. Limited Partners (LPs): How Syndications Are Structured.

09:27 - The 3 Tranches to Vet Before Investing (Deal, Operator, Market).

11:10 - The Realities & Mental Weight of Being a Syndicator.

13:14 - Closing Statements.

─────────────────────────────

Ready to protect your assets? Book a consultation:

https://ultimateassetprotection.com/book-appointment-now/

FOLLOW JOHN SKABELUND:

https://ultimateassetprotection.com/

FOLLOW BRENT KAWAKAMI:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/brentkawakami/

DISCLAIMER: This content is legal information only and not legal advice. Listening or viewing this content does not create an attorney-client relationship. Mr. Skabelund is admitted to practice law in Arizona and may be reached at https://ultimateassetprotection.com/

What are the realities of scaling your real estate portfolio from single to multifamily? How do we navigate real estate with the recession and market headwinds? Join John Skabelund as he explores the truth about today's multifamily market, its complexities and risks with his guest, Brent Kawakami. In this episode, discover if the jump to multifamily is right for you and if so, what the best steps are from lending to finding the right partners and more.

Brent is a real estate operator and investor with extensive experience in multifamily acquisitions, underwriting, investor relations, and asset management. He is experienced in raising equity and procuring debt from strategic partners to support new acquisitions, having been involved in over 100+ multifamily transactions.

John Skabelund is an experienced and nationally recognized attorney with extensive experience protecting client's assets throughout the United States. He has adeptly protected a diverse range of clients' estates, ranging from $500,000 to over $100 million. His clientele spans real estate investors, business owners, executives, and professionals in various fields, including medicine, law, sports, and technology. John skillfully creates comprehensive estate plans tailored to each client's unique needs, ensuring their legacy can be preserved for generations. He also has represented clients in the buying and selling of businesses across a multitude of industries.

Work with a trusted asset protection law firm:

https://ultimateassetprotection.com/

SHOW NOTES:

00:00 - Intro.

03:10 - The Biggest Challenges When Making the Jump.

06:10 - Lessons Learned: Why Geographical Focus Matters.

07:32 - Current Real Estate Landscape & Market Headwinds.

09:50 - Key Complexities of Multifamily: Lending, Net Worth Checks, Off-Market Deals.

13:00 - Existing Properties vs. Ground-Up Development: Benefits & Risks.

15:10 - How Multifamily Financing Works (HUD, agency loans, fixed vs. floating rates).

17:40 - Is Now the Time?

19:49 - Practical Advice for Beginners.

21:30 - Closing Statements.

DISCLAIMER: This content is legal information only and not legal advice. Listening or viewing this content does not create an attorney-client relationship. Mr. Skabelund is admitted to practice law in Arizona and may be reached at https://ultimateassetprotection.com/

FOLLOW JOHN SKABELUND:

https://ultimateassetprotection.com/

FOLLOW BRENT KAWAKAMI:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/brentkawakami/

Are you relying on joint ownership or tenancy by the entirety to keep your family home safe from creditors?

In this episode, discover the three critical vulnerabilities of joint ownership—including divorce risk, joint liabilities and tax liens, and the solutions you need to protect your family now. Join John Skabelund as he breaks down the widespread myths surrounding marital property titling and explains why simply having both spouses on the deed is not a complete asset protection strategy.

John Skabelund is an experienced and nationally recognized attorney with extensive experience protecting client's assets throughout the United States. John has adeptly protected a diverse range of clients' estates, ranging from $500,000 to over $100 million. His clientele spans real estate investors, business owners, executives, and professionals in various fields, including medicine, law, sports, and technology. John skillfully creates comprehensive estate plans tailored to each client's unique needs, ensuring their legacy can be preserved for generations.

Work with a trusted asset protection law firm:

https://ultimateassetprotection.com/

SHOW NOTES:

00:00 - Intro.

02:44 - Reason #1: Protection Is Marriage-Dependent (Divorce & Severance Risk).

03:50 - Reason #2: Joint Debts, Guarantees, and Federal Tax Liens (US v. Craft).

05:23 - Reason #3: Fragility Over Time, Survivorship Risks & Dormant Liens.

07:30 - Solution #1: Qualified Personal Residence Trust (QPRT).

10:10 - Solution #2: Equity Stripping & High Homestead Exemption Strategies.

13:11 - Closing Statements.

Ready to protect your assets? Book a consultation:

https://ultimateassetprotection.com/book-appointment-now/

FOLLOW JOHN SKABELUND:

https://ultimateassetprotection.com/

DISCLAIMER: This content is legal information only and not legal advice. Listening or viewing this content does not create an attorney-client relationship. Mr. Skabelund is admitted to practice law in Arizona and may be reached at https://ultimateassetprotection.com/

Are you looking to diversify beyond physical gold and silver? Is mining precious metals the next hidden opportunity? Join asset protection attorney John Skabelund as he explores market opportunities, benefits, and risks of precious metal mining with expert, CEO and Director of Cunningham Mining, Ryan Cunningham.

In this episode, you'll learn to understand the distinctions between the different types of mining, how to navigate geopolitical and jurisdictional risks, and where to find opportunities in today's market.

Work with a trusted asset protection law firm:

https://ultimateassetprotection.com/

SHOW NOTES:

00:00 - Intro.

02:00 - Load Mining vs. Plaster Mining: Understanding the Basics.

05:18 - Tax Advantages and Incentives.

11:20 - Why Invest in Mining Stocks vs. Bullion.

15:44 - How to Evaluate Junior Mining Companies & Jurisdiction Risk.

17:18 - What Are the Risks & How to Mitigate Them.

21:30 - Strong Jurisdictions.

23:19 - Expert Advice.

25:16 - Who is AMR (American Mineral Resources)?

27:19 - Closing Statements

FOLLOW JOHN SKABELUND:

https://ultimateassetprotection.com/

DISCLAIMER: This content is legal information only and not legal advice. Listening or viewing this content does not create an attorney-client relationship. Mr. Skabelund is admitted to practice law in Arizona and may be reached at https://ultimateassetprotection.com/

Is real estate still a promising path to building wealth, or have high interest rates permanently broken the market? Join asset protection attorney John Skabelund as he sits down with Dr. Peter Linneman—Emeritus Professor at the Wharton School of Business, CEO of Linneman Associates, and author of Real Estate Finance and Investments.

In this episode, Dr. Linneman breaks down why investors must separate financing from the fundamental underlying asset, why real estate is historically a "stay rich" asset rather than a "get rich" dodge, and how changing investor mindsets are reshaping risk. They also discuss how to navigate social/political shifts like rent control, the hidden operating dynamics in regulated markets, and where the biggest contrarian market opportunities lie today.

Work with a trusted asset protection law firm: https://ultimateassetprotection.com/asset-protection-law-firm/

SHOW NOTES:

00:00 - Intro: Is Real Estate Still a Good Investment?

04:50 - Stay Rich vs. Get Rich: How Leverage Changes the Risk Profile

09:50 - Real Estate Development vs. Tech & Crypto: High Risk vs. Unknown Risk

15:30 - The Mindset Shift: The Danger of Expecting Fast Returns on Slow Assets

19:00 - Regulatory & Political Risks: Rent Control, Eviction Bans, and Domicile Risk

31:40 - AI & Real Estate: How It Helps and Hurts.

49:37 - Closing Statements

DISCLAIMER: This content is legal information only and not legal advice. Listening or viewing this content does not create an attorney-client relationship. Mr. Skabelund is admitted to practice law in Arizona and may be reached at https://ultimateassetprotection.com/

Is using a Montana LLC to skip sales tax on expensive cars, RVs, and business vehicles a clever legal tax strategy or high-risk tax evasion? Join asset protection attorney John Skabelund as breaks down the truth behind the heavily marketed "Montana Loophole". Following up on tax expert Scott Hodge's insights from Episode 25, John delivers the legal reality: why state residency tests go far beyond the simple "183-day rule," how states like California and Tennessee are cracking down with felony charges and 50% penalties, and why real asset protection relies on strict compliance—not risky tax dodges.

Work with a trusted asset protection law firm: https://ultimateassetprotection.com/asset-protection-law-firm/

In this episode, discover the major legal risks of registering vehicles out-of-state, recent high-profile enforcement cases, and how to prevent the mistake of fraudulent filings.

SHOW NOTES:

00:00 - Intro: The Truth About the "Montana Loophole"

00:48 - How Montana LLC Vehicle Registrations Work

02:00 - Debunking the 183-Day Residency Myth & Domicile Rules

04:31 - Where Vehicles MUST Be Registered: Garaging & Primary Use Rules

05:35 - State Crackdowns: Plate Readers, Dealer Audits & Criminal Charges

06:45 - Civil & Criminal Penalties: Back Taxes, 50% Fines & Impoundment

10:00 - Crucial Advice: DO NOT DO THIS!

12:12 - Closing Statements: Compliant Structures for Real Asset Protection

─────────────────────────────

Ready to protect your assets? Book a consultation:

https://ultimateassetprotection.com/book-appointment-now/

─────────────────────────────

FOLLOW JOHN SKABELUND:

https://ultimateassetprotection.com/

DISCLAIMER: This content is legal information only and not legal advice. Listening or viewing this content does not create an attorney-client relationship. Mr. Skabelund is admitted to practice law in Arizona and may be reached at https://ultimateassetprotection.com/

Is "taxing the rich" actually helpful or hurtful to the poor and middle class? Discover why states like Texas and Florida are winning the economic migration battle, and what happens to local communities when the people who write the payroll checks decide to leave. In this episode, asset protection attorney John Skabelund shares his unique vantage point. From growing up on food stamps to building a top-tier law firm, John sees both sides of the wealth gap. He breaks down how aggressive wealth taxes in places like Seattle, California, New York, and Norway are driving away the "builders"—and why the workers left behind are the ones who ultimately pay the price.

SHOW NOTES:

00:00 - Intro: A Personal Perspective on the Wealth Gap

01:50 - The Current Crackdown: Payroll Taxes, Millionaire Taxes, and California's 2026 Ballot

02:30 - When Taxes Rise, Safety Declines: The San Francisco and NYC Reality

03:28 - The Norway Cautionary Tale: National Wealth Taxes and Capital Flight

04:00 - How High-Net-Worth Clients are Responding

04:55 - The Mobility Truth: The Rich Can Move, but the Poor Can't

06:08 - What Thriving States Get Right

12:55 - Closing Statements: Treating Entrepreneurs as Partners, Not Targets

─────────────────────────────

Ready to protect your assets? Book a consultation:

https://ultimateassetprotection.com/book-appointment-now/

─────────────────────────────

FOLLOW JOHN SKABELUND:

https://ultimateassetprotection.com/

DISCLAIMER: This content is legal information only and not legal advice. Listening or viewing this content does not create an attorney-client relationship. Mr. Skabelund is admitted to practice law in Arizona and may be reached at https://ultimateassetprotection.com/

Tax avoidance vs. tax evasion — do you know the legal line? Asset protection attorney John Skabelund and Tax Foundation President Emeritus Scott Hodge break down how tax law shapes market behavior, why wealth taxes consistently backfire, and what legal strategies actually protect your wealth.

Work with a trusted asset protection law firm:

https://ultimateassetprotection.com/asset-protection-law-firm/

Scott Hodge — Tax and Fiscal Policy Fellow at Arnold Ventures and President Emeritus of the Tax Foundation, where he served as President and CEO for 23 years — is one of Washington's clearest voices on tax policy. He is the author of Taxocracy: What You Don't Know About Taxes and How They Rule Your Daily Life and the writer behind the Substack The Exempt Class. Over a 35-year career, Scott has specialized in analyzing the unintended economic consequences of tax laws and uncovering structural issues within the tax-exempt sector.

In this episode, discover why international and state-level wealth taxes consistently fail to achieve their goals, how foreign investors capitalize on wealth tax "fire sales," and the real-world legal boundaries of tax strategy.

SHOW NOTES:

00:00 - Intro

05:24 - How the Tax Code is Distorting Market Behavior

10:00 - The "OB3" Stability Cliff: The critical economic value of permanent and predictable tax codes

15:00 - Escaping the Wealth Tax: Why millionaires and billionaires are fleeing Norway, California, and New York

20:10 - The Elizabeth Warren Wealth Tax Model: How wealth taxes accidentally hand U.S. assets to foreign investors

23:20 - The Fine Line Between Evasion and Avoidance

33:10 - Closing Statements

─────────────────────────────

Ready to protect your assets? Book a consultation:

https://ultimateassetprotection.com/book-appointment-now/

─────────────────────────────

Follow John Skabelund:

Websites: https://skabelund.com/, https://ultimateassetprotection.com/

Connect with Scott Hodge:

Book: Taxocracy: What You Don't Know About Taxes and How They Rule Your Daily Life

Twitter/X: @scottahodge

Substack: https://scottahodge.substack.com

DISCLAIMER:

This content is legal information only and not legal advice. Listening or viewing this content does not create an attorney client relationship. Mr. Skabelund is admitted to practice law in Arizona, and he may be reached at UltimateAssetProtection.com.

Join John Skabelund and his guest, Jim Westermeyer, as they discuss how a financial planner acts as a personal CFO to elevate your asset protection from good to great.

As Managing Partner and Personal CFO at ClearView Wealth Partners, Jim Westermeyer brings over 28 years of experience in wealth management, investments, retirement strategies, risk management and business succession planning. He helps individuals and families manage and preserve their wealth through customized family office style solutions tailored to their unique goals and circumstances. Jim is also a frequent speaker at financial planning conferences, professional gatherings, and charitable events.

In this episode, explore the critical role of a financial advisor in coordinating your legal, tax, and personal affairs. Learn how to prevent scattered planning, why liability insurance should always stand first alongside entity structures, and how a virtual family office ensures your team works for your best interests.

SHOW NOTES:

• 00:00 - Intro.

• 02:30 - The Virtual Family Office Concept.

• 04:43 - Managing Holistic Wealth: Real Estate, Business & Personal Affairs.

• 06:20 - Navigating Family Governance and Next-Gen Education.

• 09:14 - Red Flags: When to Hire a Personal CFO.

• 13:13 - Business Succession Strategies & Proactive Tax Planning.

• 15:46 - Overcoming Advisor Turf Wars and Enforcing Collaboration.

• 22:21 - Risk Management: Liability Insurance vs. LLC Structures.

• 25:03 - The Family Legacy Pyramid & Closing Statements.

Follow John Skabelund:

Websites: https://skabelund.com/, https://ultimateassetprotection.com/

About John:

John is an experienced and nationally recognized attorney with extensive experience protecting client's assets throughout the United States. He has adeptly protected a diverse range of clients' estates, ranging from $500,000 to over $100 million. His clientele spans real estate investors, business owners, executives, and professionals in various fields, including medicine, law, sports, and technology. John skillfully creates comprehensive estate plans tailored to each client's unique needs, ensuring their legacy can be preserved for generations. He also has represented clients in the buying and selling of businesses across a multitude of industries. Furthermore, as an outside general counsel, John has been instrumental in developing succession plans and buy-sell agreements for business owners.

DISCLAIMER:

This content is legal information only and not legal advice. Listening or viewing this content does not create an attorney client relationship. Mr. Skabelund is admitted to practice law in Arizona, and he may be reached at UltimateAssetProtection.com.

Join John Skabelund as he discusses the hidden assets that you don't know are exposed. Discover the many assets most people often forget they have and how you should structure your asset protection to prevent creditors from reaching your most valuable inventory.

John Skabelund is an experienced and nationally recognized attorney with extensive experience protecting client's assets throughout the United States. With more than a decade of experience, John has adeptly protected a diverse range of clients' estates, ranging from $500,000 to over $100 million. His clientele spans real estate investors, business owners, executives, and professionals in various fields, including medicine, law, sports, and technology. John skillfully creates comprehensive estate plans tailored to each client's unique needs, ensuring their legacy can be preserved for generations. He also has represented clients in the buying and selling of businesses across a multitude of industries.

SHOW NOTES:

00:00 - Intro.

01:11 - Intellectual Property & Digital Property.

01:45 - Financial Assets Beyond the Bank Account.

02:42 - Business Interests.

03:59 - Personal Property.

04:37 - Discovery from Plaintiff Attorney.

05:09 - Searches on Social Media.

05:28 - Are You Taking Full Inventory?

06:28 - What's the Most Surprising Hidden Asset?

07:09 - How Searches are Conducted.

08:04 - Unprotected Equity in Rental Property.

08:43 - Pending Inheritance or Lawsuit at Risk?

09:32 - First Thing You Need to Do Right Now.

10:10 - Closing Statements.

Follow John Skabelund:

Websites: https://skabelund.com/, https://ultimateassetprotection.com/

DISCLAIMER:

This content is legal information only and not legal advice. Listening or viewing this content does not create an attorney client relationship. Mr. Skabelund is admitted to practice law in Arizona, and he may be reached at UltimateAssetProtection.com.