Other than cash, how do you give money over $15k without being nailed by the gift tax? Keeping as much money in retirement savings seems wise as those are exempt from liens.
On top of the yearly exemption, you have a lifetime exemption in the US of $11.18M.
Currently you do. At a recent visit to my estate planning attorney he said it's likely that will be cut in half in the next few years. I don't recall whether it was because there's a time limit on that particular part of the law that's going to run out, or because it was likely the ruling parties would switch and they would vote it back down. But either way just remember that it can change in either direction at just about any time.
IRAs are not exempt from creditors in all states, FYI. Texas has solid unlimited protection at least, though.