I have creditors calling about my credit. I want to put money in a ROTH IRA for my son, but I don't want creditors to be able to see what savings I have. Is there any way they can trace the money I have in my ROTH IRA?

It depends on your state of residency. See the URL below.


http://www.ici.org/issues/99_state_ira_bnkrptcy.html


Note that your son must have earned income in order for a Roth IRA to be funded on his behalf (with the exception of a Roth conversion).

I think the above answer should say "with exception of an education IRA". Otherwise the child must have their own earned income to qualify for a IRA/Roth in the childs name.

IMO you have a moral obligation to try to pay your creditors. I would work on solving the larger financial imbalance first. Playing shell games with assets does not address the more fundamental problems of having expenses exceed income.

Perhaps one of the accountants that post here will add a reference to a reputable non-profit that helps people work their way out of debt.