So I assume that this forum has banned Melton? I'm no lawyer, and don't understand why legal assistance was needed, or why the need to even contest his claims.
It certainly may be different in the case of an organization like TIGHAR, but I once consulted with a very respected and able asset protection attorney and know that one's personal funds can be protected from judgments rather easily. In my case it involved nothing more than stashing my money in a selected bank, one which doesn't respect legal judgements from anyone except the Feds and the state. And in Florida (and other states) one's residential dwelling is immune to property liens that attempt to collect anything other than mechanic's attachments (for work done on the home by home improvement, roofing companies, etc .).
As for vehicles - rent, don't own, or put it in a relative's name. Etc, etc. There are many other mechanisms available, from LLCs and on, that can make it virtually impossible for any attorney to collect on a judgment. Anyone with assets should do something to protect himself against our obscene judicial system, whose laws have been crafted by lawyers, largely, it often seems, for the benefit of lawyers. No country wastes more money, time and effort on civil lawsuits than ours does : our system admits even the most ridiculous and trivial of claims.
For anyone worried about defamation lawsuits, I believe that a very simple and cheap protection can be found with an umbrella insurance policy. It will usually provide the insured with protection against libel and defamation of character lawsuits, etc. Check with your insurance agent and also possibly have your financial situation evaluated by an asset protection attorney. They usually charge around $500 I believe. That's about what I paid.