Don’t Make These Legal Mistakes with Jonathan Feniak, Ep. 713

Jonathan Feniak is a business attorney and the driving force behind LLCAttorney.com. After successful careers in logistics and finance, he became a licensed attorney at 45 to help make legal protection and business formation more accessible to entrepreneurs. Jonathan now helps clients across all 50 states establish LLCs, protect their assets, and structure their businesses efficiently—with a focus on practical, cost-effective solutions that deliver real protection.

 

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Key Takeaways

• Asset protection begins with proper business formation—but it doesn’t end there.

• Many business owners form LLCs but fail to “respect” them by observing corporate formalities, rendering them ineffective in court.

• Wyoming is one of the best states to form a holding company due to privacy and strong charging order protection.

• Creating a holding company structure helps simplify asset management, estate planning, and liability isolation.

• Revocable living trusts are a low-cost way to ensure smooth inheritance without the burden of probate, especially across multiple states.

 

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Topics

From Corporate to Counsel: A Third Career Attorney

• Jonathan began in logistics (UPS, DHL), then transitioned to finance and wealth management.

• At 45, he pursued law full-time to combine strategic advising with legal structure and protection.

• His mission is to democratize access to real legal solutions—without the inflated price tag.

What Most People Get Wrong About LLCs

• Forming an LLC is just step one—maintaining it properly is where most fail.

• Respect your LLC by: holding meetings, documenting decisions, separating finances, and keeping the business in good standing.

• Improperly managed LLCs are often disregarded by courts, leaving owners personally liable.

The Power of Holding Companies

• Use a Wyoming LLC as a holding company for privacy, asset protection, and estate efficiency.

• Helps shield your name from public documents and reduces the impact of being linked to failed partnerships or lawsuits.

• Holding companies simplify asset transfers to heirs and reduce exposure to out-of-state probate.

Estate Planning and Life Events

• Estate plans should be revisited every five years—or after any major life change (e.g., marriage, children, death, relocation).

• A revocable living trust paired with an LLC holding company offers clean transitions for heirs and minimal disruption.

• Overcomplicated estate plans often backfire; keep it simple and update as needed.

Avoiding Snake Oil and Legal Overkill

• Many providers push unnecessary structures—like offshore trusts or layered LLCs—on inexperienced investors.

• Jonathan emphasizes reasonable, effective solutions tailored to the investor’s current risk and net worth.

• Focus on clear, scalable strategies that grow with your portfolio.

 

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Round of Insights

Failure that set Jonathan up for success: Realizing his unhappiness as a financial advisor led Jonathan to pursue law school and build a business where he thrives today.

Digital or mobile resource: Gemini (AI tool) — Helps condense complex legal materials and improve communication clarity, when guided with trusted source inputs.

Book recommendation: Not a traditional book reader—Jonathan reads thousands of pages of legal cases, law review articles, and court decisions to stay sharp.

Daily habit: Maintains a dedicated workspace at home that acts as his “mental switch” for full focus and productivity.

#1 insight for asset protection: Don’t put too many assets in one bucket. Whether structuring LLCs or allocating capital, smaller, diversified exposures reduce risk.

Favorite restaurant in Luquillo, Puerto Rico: La Fonda.

 

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Next Steps

• Visit LLCAttorney.com to explore services and free resources

• Use promo code FAMILY50 there to receive 50% off formations or registered agent services

• Review your current LLC, asset structure, and estate plan—and don’t wait for a crisis to start planning

 

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