Combining Land trusts, LLC's and income taxes

Hi I’m new to this great site!

We (wife and I) own 15 sf’s in Wisconsin. 10 of which have mortgages. They are all currently titled in my name. I have decided to put them in a total of 5 LLC’s, 3 props in each. Both my wife and I actively manage the props, so we are both members of the LLC’s. I contacted the lenders, and they refuse to allow me to transfer the props into the LLC’s because of the DOS clause. I have since decided my only other course of action is to put each prop into a land trust or living trust, then make the LLC’s the beneficiary of the trusts. I realize this technically still violates the DOS because I am no longer the beneficiary.

Questions…

  1. Income taxes: I currently report all my rental activity on Schedule E’s. Am I correct that an LLC operated as a husband/wife 2 member LLC will still be treated as a single member (WI is a community state), and allow the income to pass through, thus allowing me to continue filing schedule E’s? Will I have to file 1041’s or something else for each trust or can they be passed through also?

  2. Any comments putting each prop into a trust, VS putting 3 props to a trust?

  3. If I am listed as a grantor and trustee, What if any is my personal liability? I see that some suggest making an LLC a trustee? Is this overkill? Any comments on this?

  4. How do I find a WI attorney or accountant that is knowledgeable in these areas?

Thanks for any comments and help!