In Florida, a multi member LLC, has asset protection characteristics. Prior to 2011, Florida law was not clear on whether a charging order was the exclusive remedy for a creditor of a member of a multi member LLC. Assets in a Florida multi member LLC are protected from the reach of the member’s creditors so that the debts of one member do not cause harm to the other members. Once a creditor receives a judgement, they can apply for a charging order and stand in line to receive distributions that are made to that member. Sometimes, it is difficult to find a lawyer who will take a case on a contingency basis against a multi member LLC. Even if a creditor is successful, the potential downside of not being able to collect on the judgement can be painful.
In Young v. Levy, the 4th DCA ruled that the trial court erred in entering a writ of garnishment upon the member’s interest in a multi member limited liability company because as of 2011 the charging order is the exclusive remedy that a creditor of a member of a Florida multi member LLC can obtain as per Florida Statute 605.433(5).
A Florida multi member LLC is not real asset protection like is available with some of our Florida Asset Protection Trusts, but the LLC can, in the right circumstances, give you the ability to wait out your creditors and make it expensive for them to try. This, in turn, can give you a great ability to negotiate a favorable settlement.
In many cases, an Asset Protection Trust may be a better solution, but that cannot be determined without reviewing your specific circumstances and goals.
It is important to make sure that you are not violating fraudulent transfer or conveyance rules when transferring assets to a Florida multi-member LLC.