---
type: Reference
title: Core Missouri Asset Protection Tools
description: Quick reference to Missouri and federal asset-protection tools, what each does, and its legal authority.
resource: https://nemolegal.com/asset-protection-planning-missouri/
tags: [asset-protection, missouri, reference, exemptions, irrevocable-trust, llc, erisa]
timestamp: 2026-06-18
jurisdiction: Missouri
author: Patrick Nolan
---

# Core tools

| Tool | What it does | Authority |
|---|---|---|
| Homestead exemption | Protects equity in a primary residence up to $15,000 | RSMo §513.475 |
| Personal property exemptions | Protects household goods, a vehicle, and a wildcard amount, with caps | RSMo §513.430 |
| Tenancy by the entirety (TBE) | Shields property of a married couple from a creditor of one spouse | Missouri common law and practice |
| Qualified spousal trust (QST) | Preserves TBE-like protection inside a joint spousal trust | RSMo §456.950 |
| Irrevocable trust | Removes assets from your ownership and control for preservation and Medicaid timing; with spendthrift terms, shields heirs' inheritances from their creditors | RSMo Chapter 456 |
| Spendthrift trust | Restricts beneficiary transfers and limits creditor access | RSMo §§456.5-502 to 456.5-507 |
| LLC (charging order) | Limits a member's creditor to a charging order on distributions | RSMo §347.119 |
| Beneficiary deed | Transfers real estate at death outside probate; can name a trust | RSMo §461.025 |
| Transfer-on-death for vehicles | Keeps a vehicle out of probate via a TOD title | RSMo §301.681 |
| ERISA anti-alienation | Federal shield for qualified plans such as a 401(k) | 29 U.S.C. §1056(d) |
| Retirement fund exemptions | Protects qualifying retirement funds and IRAs in bankruptcy | 11 U.S.C. §522(b)(3)(C), (d)(12) |

# Note

Exemption dollar amounts are statutory and modest; layer tools (TBE or QST, irrevocable trusts, LLCs, insurance, and precise beneficiary designations) rather than relying on one.

# Related

- [Irrevocable Trusts for Asset Protection](/okf/asset-protection/irrevocable-trusts.md)
- [Overview](/okf/asset-protection/overview.md)
- [Retirement Accounts](/okf/asset-protection/retirement-accounts.md)