Don't Lose to Sharks

July 18, 2023

"Sharks" will find your weakness and attack

Imagine you are at your favorite beach with your family. All of the comforts you can think of as you enjoy yourself. You sink back comfortably on your beach lounge chair and soak in sounds of your loved ones having the time of their lives.

Out of nowhere, a frenzy of sharks appear. Now, this is unexpected, but certainly not unheard of around this stretch of beach. What is the first thing you take action on? Fear washes over you. The hairs on the back of your neck stand immediately at the thought of all you worked so hard to nurture, falling prey to a swarming circle of hungry sharks.

You startle but regain composure. Now you rush to reach your family to save them and pull them out of the shark invested waters.

Soon, you realize there were signs and warnings all along. At the breakfast bar of the resort, you recall hearing murmurings from other guests about the sharks who come around at this time of year. You remember seeing postings about shark attacks recently on the beach near the parking area. Then it dawns on you that you were the only family on the beach that day. Though it struck you as odd, you and your family were so set on having a fun time on the beach, these warnings did not even register.

Now you feel a bit foolish and wish you had paid closer attention, and as soon as the immediate scare is over, you start to think, "How could I have prevented this from happening in the first place?"

I share this imagined story to illustrate that when we are not paying attention and are not prepared to protect ourselves from the unexpected, but possible, dreadful things can most certainly happen. We can get lucky and skirt by without any damage, but in reality, getting lucky is the outlier situation.

From my experience, and the experience of hundreds of my business owner clients who have heeded my advice and used my 3 Bucket Method to properly structure their business entities, it is those who plan ahead with the right chain mail armor that make it through the "shark attacks" of lawsuits and litigation attorneys.

When you put a little chum in the water, you open a shark's appetite. The countless billboards you see on the highways for personal injury attorneys is proof of the hunger that exists for big-dollar verdicts. Yes, I am talking about the 444s and the 222s and even the Numero Unos out there and if you find yourself in an unexpected lawsuit because an employee crashed into someone while making a delivery or someone injured themselves on a property you own, or any number of things that you don't expect to happen, but do; you can most certainly expect the "sharks" on the other side of the courtroom to find whatever crack in the protective armor of your LLC or business entity in order to sniff out even more assets. Oh, and sharks also come dressed as IRS auditors, and the "beach" will soon fill with them too.

The "cracks" I am referring to are things like:

not updating your annual minutes in the last 3 years or more, or
not documenting intercompany loans and leases or agreements.
having other major transactions or real estate purchases under one LLC with little to no official documentation.

All this and more, are the types of "chinks" in your shark armor you need to be worried about, because these will be exploited for the benefit of the opposing counsels' attempts to consider all of your assets accessible in a lawsuit or an IRS auditor gets a craving to really stick it to you for not keeping your corporate records up to date.

There IS a way to be sure you have the strongest armor for your business that the government allows. There IS a way to fight off a "shark attack" by not ever letting it happen in the first place. There IS a way to be the victor and not the victim, and I can show you how.

By taking steps to have all of your corporate records updated each year with my new 3 Bucket Method Entity Maintenance Service, YOU will be the one with the upper hand when you find yourself in a lawsuit or an audit.

Clients who use my proven method for properly structuring their business entities, plus implement my new 3 Bucket Method Service, do not worry about having their hair stand up on the back of their neck because someone is trying to sue them.

Instead, they have the peace of mind that their business will be monitored all year long for compliance and their annual minutes will be prepared on time, ready for any audit or inspection.

My clients know that we will ensure that their company binder never becomes a messy stack of papers, with little substance. Instead, my clients who subscribe to my 3 Bucket Method Entity Maintenance Service, rest easy knowing that any additional items needed to keep the protection of their business entity intact can be created and ready as a result of our annual audit of their business.

I will explain the benefits of my proven method here in my book The 3 Bucket Method for Asset Protection. For your free eBook access, click here.

Friends, this is the time to heed the signs of warning. This is the time to open your eyes to the obvious. It is not the time to dissuade you from traveling to your favorite beach this year, but this is the time to take advantage of the time I am making available just for you. I am making myself available to all of my e-newsletter readers for a discovery call to learn more about how they can arm themselves in a custom "shark-proof" suit. To see if you and your business entity are ready to get started on the program, my team has set aside special time slots for these discovery calls. Simply reply to this email with your name and business entity to get started and we will coordinate the rest.

If this resonates with you and you want to protect your business assets and legacy, or you have any other questions, we are available in person, by appointment or by Zoom. In South Texas, call us at 956-791-5422.

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Molding Your Financial Future in 2025

January 17, 2025

As we step into the new year, I find myself reflecting on the countless entrepreneurs, professionals, and business owners I’ve worked with throughout my career. Helping clients mold a shield of protection around their assets has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my practice. Time and time again, I’ve witnessed that success isn’t reserved for geniuses, nor does it require a fancy degree. The secret lies in action, strategy, and discipline—traits anyone can cultivate to achieve and maintain wealth. The Myth of Instant Wealth How often have we heard someone say, “When I win the lottery, I’ll finally be set”? It’s a common refrain, but let’s examine the reality. Imagine winning $10 million in the lottery. After choosing the lump sum option and paying taxes, you might walk away with only a fraction of that—perhaps $2 million. Without a solid financial plan, it’s no surprise that many lottery winners end up broke within a few years. True wealth isn’t about luck or flashy possessions. It’s about what you do with your resources and how you protect them. If you look around your community, the truly wealthy aren’t necessarily the ones with the biggest houses or newest cars. They’re often the ones who’ve taken calculated risks, lived within their means, and built unglamorous but steady businesses. These individuals mold the clay they’re given, creating shields of protection around their assets that ensure their financial stability for generations. The Trap of Looking Rich We’ve all seen it—the big house, luxury car, and designer wardrobe. But appearances can be deceiving. Many who look wealthy are drowning in debt, spending more than they earn, and chasing the illusion of success. As my wife lovingly calls it, Dickersonism #7: “Looking rich does not MAKE you rich.” True wealth is built on a foundation of solid, income-generating assets, not consumables. Falling into the trap of “keeping up with the Joneses” (or Kardashians) often leads to financial instability and missed opportunities to create lasting wealth. The Cost of Inaction One of the greatest obstacles to wealth and protection is inaction. Henry Ford famously said, “If you think you can, you can. If you think you can’t, you can’t. Either way, you’re right.” Inaction is the path of least resistance, but it’s also the path to missed opportunities and unfulfilled potential. Some hesitate out of fear or over-analysis, a condition I call “analysis paralysis.” It’s easy to get caught up in what could go wrong, but this mindset keeps you stagnant. Every successful person I’ve worked with has one thing in common: they took action. They understood the risks but focused on the rewards, moving forward despite uncertainty. Setting Your Course for 2025 If you haven’t taken steps to mold your financial future, now is the time. Ask yourself: Where do you want to be a year from now? In five years? In ten? Define your goals and begin building the path to reach them. Just as importantly, protect what you’ve built. Not having a plan to shield your assets is like running exposed electrical wiring—sooner or later, you’ll face unnecessary risks. A board-certified estate planning attorney can help you design a plan to safeguard your wealth, ensuring it stays secure for you and your loved ones. Take Control of Your Future Success doesn’t just happen—it’s molded. Listen to trusted advisors, but remember that the final decisions are yours to make. Clarify your vision, take bold steps, and build the life you’ve always dreamed of. At The J.M. Dickerson Law Firm, we’re here to guide you every step of the way. Whether in person, by appointment, or via Zoom, we’re committed to helping you create a legacy of success and security. Contact us today, we can help! South Texas: 956-791-5422 Central Texas: 830-302-4577 Let’s make 2025 your year of action, growth, and protection.

Embracing the Holidays as a Time for Estate Planning

December 20, 2024

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Start the New Year Strong: Four Steps to Success

December 13, 2024

As the end of the year approaches, it’s easy to feel the weight of unfinished tasks and the hustle of the holiday season. Between wrapping up work projects, preparing for family gatherings, and making plans for the future, this time of year can feel overwhelming. But amidst the busyness lies a valuable opportunity—the chance to press reset and prepare for a fresh start. The New Year offers a clean slate, making it the perfect time to reflect, reorganize, and refocus your goals. By dedicating some time to the right activities now, you can set yourself up for success in the months ahead. Here are four key steps to help you start the New Year on solid footing. Step 1: Reflect on the Past Year As the calendar flips to a new year, many of us naturally find ourselves looking back at the previous 12 months. This is the perfect moment to assess your professional and personal accomplishments, challenges, and growth. Ask yourself: • What were my biggest successes this year? • What goals did I miss, and why? • What strategies or habits worked well for me? • Where can I improve moving forward? Reflection isn’t just about identifying wins and losses; it’s about understanding the “why” behind them. Seek feedback from colleagues, mentors, or trusted peers to gain new perspectives. The more honest and thorough your evaluation, the more valuable it will be as a foundation for future planning. Step 2: Create a Game Plan for the Year Ahead Reflection is only the beginning. To make real progress, you need a clear and actionable plan for the year ahead. Start by defining your big-picture goal for the next 12 months. What’s the most important outcome you want to achieve? Once you have that, break it down into smaller, measurable objectives. For example, if your goal is to expand your business, your smaller objectives might include increasing marketing efforts, attending networking events, or launching a new service. Outline the steps needed to achieve each objective and set realistic timelines for completion. Revisit your goals regularly—at least quarterly—to ensure you’re staying on track or to adjust for any changes in your circumstances. Flexibility is key to maintaining momentum throughout the year. Step 3: Declutter Your Inbox An overflowing email inbox can be a constant source of low-grade stress. Ending the year with a streamlined and organized inbox can give you a fresh sense of control as you head into January. Here’s how to tackle it: • Respond immediately to any urgent or unresolved messages. • Delete emails that are no longer relevant. • Unsubscribe from newsletters or mailing lists you no longer find useful. • Create folders and filters to better organize incoming messages moving forward. To keep your inbox manageable, schedule regular cleanups throughout the year. Whether monthly or quarterly, these maintenance sessions will prevent clutter from building up again. Step 4: Knock Out Small Tasks The small, unfinished tasks lingering on your to-do list can be more draining than you realize. Use this time to cross off as many as possible before the New Year begins. • File paperwork that’s been piling up. • Respond to emails you’ve been avoiding. • Wrap up loose ends on ongoing projects. Completing these small but nagging tasks will give you a sense of accomplishment and free up your mental bandwidth for bigger goals in the New Year. Starting January with a clean slate will allow you to hit the ground running. Your Fresh Start A new year is a chance to realign your priorities, set meaningful goals, and approach your work with renewed focus. By reflecting on the past year, setting actionable goals, decluttering your space, and tying up loose ends, you’ll create the foundation for a successful year ahead. Whether you spread these steps out over a few weeks or tackle them all in one day, the most important thing is to commit to the process. A little effort now can make a big difference in how you start the year—and how you finish it. Here’s to making the most of your fresh start!