Is Borrowing Against Your House a Good Strategy for Asset Protection?

Dan McKenzie • May 6, 2026

If you are a professional in the Denver metro area, you have likely worked hard to build equity in your home. You may have heard that "stripping equity" is a smart move. The idea is to take out a home equity loan so that you appear to have fewer assets. People do this to become a less attractive target for lawsuits. However, borrowing against your house to protect yourself can backfire completely.

The Problem with Stripping Equity

Many people worry about potential lawsuits. They might follow advice to take out a large loan against their property. The goal is to leave very little value for a creditor to take. But this strategy converts a "speculative risk"—something that might never happen—into a "guaranteed obligation."


While a lawsuit is a possibility, a mortgage payment is a certainty. It shows up every month without fail. Whether you are enjoying a weekend in Denver or heading up to the mountains for a ski trip, that bill stays the same. If your income drops or interest rates rise, the bank still expects to be paid.

Trading One Risk for Another

When you use this method, you are simply trading one risk for another. In many cases, homeowners end up losing their property not to a legal creditor, but to the bank. This happens because they can no longer keep up with the new, higher payments. The very thing they did to protect their family became the thing that took everything away.

Real Protection for Denver Families

True asset protection should not put your home at risk. Effective estate planning in Colorado involves strategies that secure your future without creating dangerous new debts. You need a plan that accounts for your retirement savings and protects your children’s inheritance without gambling with your primary residence.


If you are ready to build a plan that actually works, we are here to help. Borrowing against your house shouldn't be your only line of defense.

Schedule Your Consultation Today

Don't rely on risky financial moves to protect what you’ve built. The McKenzie Law Firm, LLC serves the Denver metro area with high-quality legal guidance. We help families like yours create comprehensive plans that stand the test of time.


Contact us today to schedule a consultation and ensure your assets are truly safe. Give us a call at 720-821-7604.


The McKenzie Law Firm, LLC practices law exclusively in Colorado. This post is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Please consult a qualified attorney regarding your specific situation.

By Dan McKenzie June 20, 2026
Discover why creating a living trust is only the first step. Learn how funding your trust protects your family from the slow, costly Colorado probate court.
By Dan McKenzie June 19, 2026
Learn how to protect your Social Security from debt collectors with simple, practical legal steps. Secure your retirement savings in the Denver metro area today.
By Dan McKenzie June 18, 2026
Discover how a properly structured trust can keep your financial affairs out of public court records and protect your family's privacy in Colorado.
By Dan McKenzie June 17, 2026
Discover why choosing the right successor trustee is the most critical part of your estate plan. Learn how a backup manager keeps your Denver family out of court.
By Dan McKenzie June 16, 2026
Think a living trust fully protects your family from probate? Discover when probate is unavoidable in Colorado and how to keep your assets secure.
By Dan McKenzie June 15, 2026
Thinking about using an online template for your will? Discover the common DIY estate planning mistakes that could leave your Denver family unprotected.
By Dan McKenzie June 15, 2026
Are online wills a scam? Learn why an online DIY will might be legal, but could still fail your family when they need it most.
Light blue two-story house behind a hedge beside a canal under a cloudy sky
By Dan McKenzie June 12, 2026
Can probate delay the sale of a house in Colorado? Learn how probate affects real estate sales, common causes of delays, and how The McKenzie Law Firm, LLC helps Centennial families navigate probate.
By Dan McKenzie June 10, 2026
Discover what happens to bank accounts after death. Learn the key differences between joint and individual accounts, and how to avoid Colorado probate court.
By Dan McKenzie June 8, 2026
Wondering why Matthew Perry’s estate ended up in probate court? Discover how to align your assets and avoid common mistakes with a comprehensive estate plan.