Why a Lifetime Asset Protection Trust Is Like a Tube of Toothpaste

When it comes to leaving an inheritance to your children, most people think in terms of amounts: “I’m leaving my daughter $500,000” or “My son will inherit the house.”

But it’s not just about how much you leave – it’s about how you leave it.

If your child receives a lump-sum inheritance outright, it can be exposed to all kinds of risks: divorce, bankruptcy, lawsuits, poor financial decisions, or even manipulative relationships.

That’s why more families are turning to a smart solution: the Lifetime Asset Protection Trust (LAPT). To explain how it works, let’s talk about toothpaste.

The Trust Is the Tube. The Money Stays Safe Inside.

Imagine your child’s inheritance is like a tube of toothpaste. When you pass away, all the money you leave behind is neatly packed inside the tube — this is the trust.

You get to choose someone you trust to be in charge of how and when the money gets squeezed out. That person is called the trustee. It can be a family member, friend, professional trustee — whoever you believe will act in your child’s best interest.

Your child can still access the funds when they need them for things like health, education, maintenance, and support but it’s not just sitting in a joint bank account or subject to the whims of a future ex-spouse.

What Hasn’t Been Squeezed Out Stays Protected

Here’s the powerful part: Anything still in the tube is protected.

That means if your child gets divorced, sued, or ends up in financial trouble, the money inside the trust — the toothpaste that hasn’t been squeezed out — can’t be touched by outside creditors or angry exes.

Christine’s Story: Why the Trust Made All the Difference

When Christine’s mother Mary passed away, she left her $500,000, but not directly.

Instead of handing Christine a check or naming her as the direct beneficiary, Mary created a Lifetime Asset Protection Trust. She named her sister Tillie as the trustee, someone she knew Christine trusted and respected.

Christine, who was married to John at the time, could still access the money when she needed it — for home repairs, tuition for her kids, or unexpected medical expenses. But if Christine and John ever divorced, the money still inside the trust couldn’t be touched by John or his attorneys. 

That $500,000 inheritance remained protected — not just from divorce, but from lawsuits, creditors, and life’s unexpected twists.



Why It Matters

Leaving your child an inheritance is a gift. But leaving it with built-in protection is an even greater one. A Lifetime Asset Protection Trust allows you to:

• Give your children access to money they may need
• Prevent the inheritance from being lost in a divorce or lawsuit
• Appoint someone you trust to oversee distributions
• Keep the money in the family — not in the hands of exes or courts

It’s a powerful way to show your kids love, foresight, and long-term care — long after you’re gone.

Ready to Protect What You’re Leaving Behind?

If you want to make sure your legacy is used wisely and stays protected, a Lifetime Asset Protection Trust could be the perfect solution.

Book your Peace of Mind Planning Session today and let’s talk through your options. Click here to learn more!