A lot of people try to use the LLC to shield their assets and that is the purpose, but generally for legitimate business purposes and not for the pure investment used only for cash flow - those have been pierced by courts and will probably always be open to that. 

Ferreting out the person behind something like that is John's job, but even most shysters won't put in the time / effort it takes to pierce multiple corporate veils, find the trust at the root of the structure, then make the paper chase to find the protected (non-public) information which would lead to a person who may or may not be in control of the entities and their activities.

@Jerry Pierce BiggerPockets has recommended screening companies on their site under the landlord resources tab. 

This means that you will probably need to pay registration and filing fees in at least 2 states if you don’t buy CA property as a CA resident.Any lawsuits should be limited to the assets of the LLC and not your personal assets (assuming you run the LLC appropriately and the corporate veil is not pierced, some debate as to SMLLC).

Any attorney can pierce them showing you’re behind your LLC.

Your personal assets are protected with a viel, which can be pierced under certain circumstances.

The wait is agony.

Hi all!

My name is Dave Montore and I’m starting on my real estate journey after it’s been banging around in my head for years. My 23 years in the Army are coming to a close next spring and I’m looking forward to ...

I would talk with your attorney, but it is my understanding that buying it in your personal name and having a loan in your personal name "pierces the veil" of the LLC and holding title in the LLC will provide zero liability protection sine you already co-mingled the asset 

I am a broker in Fort Pierce but I do not do property management.