I guess the thing to do is create a corporation or LLC, come up with some form of earning money through it, and then make it the owner of your property. That way, if you are sued, the property is untouchable, IIRC.
My dad worked for a small manufacturing firm that did this. The owner created a holding company that owned all of the buildings. Then his manufacturing company leased them back.
If anyone sued the manufacturing firm he still held on to the real estate.
Plus he could monkey with his own rent to create tax losses when that played to his advantage.