<p>The small business exception is one that never made sense to me because of the way investment real estate is viewed. I’ve known several families that have gotten hit with that issue. There is a difference between a small business being run, and owning investment properties. Not saying it’s fair. Not fair that single parents gets less than half of the asset protection that married ones do. Not fair that kids with a jerk of a parent who won’t pay are on the hook to pay what he won’t. Not fair either if a family invest money in antiques that are used to furnish the home including pricey carpets and other such items. Just the way it works. Some properties are counted and some are not. The fishing boat is not,but the building is.</p>