Without an estate plan, your family will be left in confusion, struggling to handle everything for you. They’ll be facing months to years of delays in accessing assets and court involvement just to manage their estate or affairs. This can all be easily avoided.
At Rilus Law, our role as estate planning attorneys is to help Arizona and California families understand their legal options, protect their wishes, and put sturdy and clear plans in place so that important decisions stay in your hands—not the courts’.
What Happens If You Don’t Have an Estate Plan?
An estate plan isn’t optional if you have assets and want your family protected. Without one, your family may face:
Probate delays and court oversight – In Arizona and California, probate is known to take months to over a year, depending on the estate size, while court involvement exposes private matters to the public record.
Restricted access to funds or property – Your family may not be able to access money or assets immediately when they need it, and simultaneously might be drained by probate funds.
Stress and uncertainty – Loved ones are forced to make decisions under pressure, often without knowing what you would have wanted.
Disputes among family members – Confusion about your wishes can create unnecessary conflict within the family.
If you’re unsure about your family’s legal protection, that uncertainty is a sign that it’s time to talk with an estate planning attorney. We’ll walk you through the realities and help you create a plan that works for your life.
What an Estate Plan Really Is
An estate plan is a coordinated legal strategy to protect you during life and provide for your family afterward. A strong estate plan should answer:
Who receives your assets and when.
Who can step in to make financial decisions if you can’t.
Who can make healthcare decisions on your behalf if you can’t.
How your wishes are carried out during incapacity or after death.
With experience in both Arizona and California law, we know the state-specific rules and requirements. That ensures your plan is valid, enforceable, and ready to work when the time comes.
Assessment and Goal Setting
Documentation and Legal Instruments
Regular Review and Updates
Estate Planning Services We Offer
Every family is unique, so we build plans around your goals. Most plans include:
Wills Drafting
The foundation of any estate plan. We make sure your will reflects your wishes clearly, names guardians for minor children, and avoids ambiguity.
Power of Attorney
Durable powers of attorney give someone you trust the ability to manage your financial and legal matters if you become incapacitated.
Digital Assets Planning
Protect your online accounts, social media, and digital property as part of your legacy.
Planning for Parents of Minor Children
Parents need a plan now, not later. We help ensure children are cared for by people you trust, no matter what happens.
Probate & Trust Administration
If probate or trust administration is necessary, we guide you through every step, including court requirements, deadlines, and practical strategies.
Trust Drafting
Ideal for avoiding probate, maintaining privacy, and controlling how and when assets are distributed. We guide you through creating and funding trusts so they actually work.
Healthcare Directives
Living wills and healthcare powers of attorney ensure your medical preferences are respected without leaving family members guessing.
Asset Protection Planning
Safeguard your home, savings, and investments from unnecessary taxes, creditor risks, or avoidable losses to the court.
Special Needs Planning
Protect the long-term care, financial stability, and benefits for loved ones with special needs without putting essential resources at risk.
Business Succession Planning
For business owners, we create succession plans that protect your business, support long-term goals, and ensure continuity according to your wishes.
The Rilus Law Difference
Estate planning is personal, and we treat it that way. At Rilus Law, we:
Take the time to understand your family, goals, and values.
Build plans that actually work in real life, not just on paper.
Offer flat-fee pricing and clear guidance.
Use modern tools and technology for an easier, more transparent experience.
Support families beyond planning, including probate, trust administration, and updates to plans as life changes.
What Our Clients Say About Us
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“Wonderful experience working with them after my Mom’s passing. They were able to answer all my questions and immediate needs.”
Kerry K.
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“My husband and I used Rilus Law to set up a trust for our daughter. Very knowledgeable, professional, and really seemed interested in helping you. Everyone we worked with was very customer-oriented and professional. We highly recommend Rilus Law for your estate planning.”
Lindsey Beumer
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“Went to Rilus Law for a trust checkup. Rilus Dana is very professional, trustworthy, and honest. I recommend Rilus Law for all my legal help.”
Michael A.
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“Professional, friendly, and very accommodating. I was on a time restriction and Rilus Law sped up the process to meet my scheduling needs. A great team, super positive, and a pleasant experience from all levels in the organization. I would highly recommend.”
Troy K.
Frequently Asked Questions
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While it is possible to create your own legal documents, doing so without legal assistance could lead to costly mistakes and an estate plan that doesn't fully protect your family or comply with state laws.
Hiring an experienced estate planning attorney ensures your documents are structured correctly, helping you avoid probate.
We offer the best estate planning attorneys in Arizona to help guide you through this process. Your first consultation is free, allowing you to determine if we’re the right fit for you and your family’s needs.
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Estate planning costs can vary based on your needs, either quoted at a fixed rate or hourly. While cost is an important consideration, it is just one part of the process. Finding an estate planning attorney who understands your unique needs and offers affordable solutions is crucial to ensuring your plan is set up correctly. Book a free consultation and find out the real cost adapted to your situation.
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We offer a free initial consultation to ensure we’re the right fit for your needs. We understand how important it is to feel comfortable and confident in your attorney. By completing a pre-meeting questionnaire, we can evaluate your situation properly and provide valuable feedback on your estate planning needs.
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After a Personal Family Legal Session, a one-hour meeting with an estate planning attorney to design a custom estate plan, you can choose between a Will Package or a Trust Package. The Will Package includes:
A Last Will and Testament
Health Care Power of Attorney including a Mental Health Directive and Living Will (Final Directives)
Durable Power of Attorney
A Digital Asset Trust
A vault membership to store a copy of your estate planning documents online
The Trust Package includes all of the contents of the Will Package plus:
Revocable Living Trust
One (1) Deed to transfer house into trust
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Yes. If you own anything as an adult, it can be inherited after you pass away. Estate planning isn’t about the size of your estate; it’s about who has control.
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Absolutely. Powers of attorney and healthcare directives let people you trust make financial and medical decisions on your behalf without court involvement.
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We strongly advise against it. Online forms rarely account for Arizona specific laws, family dynamics, or asset types. A plan that seems simple online may be invalid or incomplete in court.
Contact Rilus Law Today
Estate planning is about having control over the future, not fearing it.
Rilus Law was built on the innovation of practicing estate planning with a modern approach: making estate planning easier for clients, leveraging technology to support the process, and including planning for digital assets—all while keeping the experience personal and clear.
Our Managing Partner and Founder, Dana Rilus, is a second-generation estate planning attorney. He has watched the industry evolve and noticed many “old-school” attorneys didn’t evolve with it. We strive to evolve for the modern world, and for our clients to provide the best estate planning experience possible.
Schedule your free Personal Family Legal Session (in person or online) and start protecting your family, your assets, and your legacy today.