Spinthrift Trust, Land Trust, or LLC for STRs

[Jordan Hamilton]

Hey BiggerPockets community,

I’m looking for some guidance from those who’ve navigated the intersection of asset protection and short-term rental ownership.

I currently own three Airbnb properties (2 in Tennessee and 1 in Florida) that are in my personal name (under conventional residential mortgages). I’m exploring ways to improve asset protection and possibly set up estate planning, and I’ve come across the use of spendthrift trusts, land trusts, and LLCs — but I want to avoid triggering any due-on-sale clauses or violating the terms of my existing mortgages.

Here’s where I need help:

• Has anyone successfully transferred properties (especially STRs) into a land trust while keeping the mortgage intact and compliant?

• Would putting the beneficial interest of the land trust into a separate LLC offer liability protection without alerting the lender?

• Where do spendthrift trusts fit in for estate protection or long-term planning, especially if minors or family members are intended beneficiaries?

• For future properties, what’s the smartest setup from day one if short-term rental use is the goal?

I want to do this the right way — protect myself, preserve financing, and remain compliant.

If anyone has done this themselves or worked with a solid attorney who understands the STR and trust landscape, I'd love to hear your experience or advice.

Thanks in advance 🙏