Welcome to the Rilus Law Blog!
One of our core values is empowerment and education is a key component of that. Because we are passionate about estate planning, we provide many free resources to empower our community. Explore the blog to gain a deeper understanding of estate planning, or feel free to reach out to us with questions. You could get all your questions answered in a free one-hour meeting with an experienced estate planning and probate attorney.
Explore all of our posts below, or search for a specific topic here.
How to Establish Estate Planning for Blended Families Without Conflict
Estate planning for blended families isn’t just about dividing money—it’s about protecting relationships.
By combining clear communication with the right legal tools—trusts, updated documents, and defined beneficiary designations—you can ensure your wishes are honored and your family stays united.
Digital Asset Planning: What’s New When it Comes to Protecting Your Online Legacy
Living online is now the norm. As you rely on the internet to do your banking, shopping, connecting with loved ones, doing your job, and even running your business, you build a vast collection of digital assets. Use this guide to protect your digital assets and secure your online legacy.
Estate Planning FAQs: Common Myths & Misconceptions Explained
In uncertain times, estate planning can be one of the most valuable tools in protecting your family and your future. Yet many people still underestimate its importance or dismiss it entirely.
Financial Power of Attorney: How It Works and How to Protect Yourself
A financial power of attorney (POA) is one of the most powerful estate planning tools, yet it is also one of the most misunderstood. When you create a financial POA, you authorize someone else to make decisions and take actions regarding your finances. Without adequate knowledge and proper precautions, however, this power can be misused, putting your assets at risk.
Types of Sub-Trusts: What is a Pet Trust?
Estate planning is a way to care for our loved ones after we pass away. And for many of us, those loved ones include the pets who offer us companionship, comfort, and unconditional love. It only makes sense that we include them in our estate plan.
The Power of Healthcare Directives in Estate Planning: Your Protector in Times of Crisis
For most people, estate planning means passing wealth after life, but what about during it? When planning your estate, it is easy to overlook the protection of your wishes in case you are still living but are unable to act on your own behalf. That is the power of healthcare directives in estate planning.
Protecting Your Estate from Creditors: 5 Proven Strategies
Your estate, i.e., the money, properties, and other assets you own upon your death, is the fruit of your life’s hard work and sacrifices. While you cannot take these possessions with you to your grave, you can ensure they go to the people you love or the causes you support. While you are still capable and living, it is essential that you proactively plan for the future of your estate, including protecting your estate from creditors.
Millennial Estate Planning: Why You Should Start Early
If you’re like most millennials—anyone in their late 20s to early 40s—you probably agree that estate planning is important. Despite this awareness, only a small percentage of millennials have a plan in place. Why? Many believe they don’t have enough assets yet, aren’t sure where to start, or assume estate planning is something to deal with “later.”
Living Trust vs. Last Will: Pros and Cons Explained
Of all the estate planning tools out there, these two are the most popular: Living Trust and Last Will. It’s no wonder that one of the most common questions people ask us is: "Should I create a living trust or a last will?"
Opening a Bank Account for a Trust, Estate, LLC, or Business Entity: A Step-By-Step Guide
Dealing with bank processes is a struggle, and more so if the account is for a trust, estate, or LLC (Limited Liability Company). These accounts, unlike regular bank accounts for individuals, have added challenges related to documentation, banking policies, and legal requirements.
Protecting Your Assets: How to Avoid Probate
Estate planning is all about securing your assets and ensuring they go to the loved ones you intend, without unnecessary delays or expenses. One of the most critical steps in achieving this is avoiding probate.
Types of Sub-Trusts: What is a Dynasty Trust?
When it comes to estate planning, ensuring your wealth is preserved for generations requires more than just a basic trust. That’s where dynasty sub-trusts come in—a strategic tool that protects assets, minimizes taxes, and provides long-term financial security for your family. But what exactly is a dynasty sub-trust, and how does it fit into a larger estate plan?
Avoid Common Mistakes: How to Choose the Right Executor for Your Estate
The executor, a pivotal figure in the management of your estate, holds the key to ensuring your wishes and intentions are faithfully carried out. A well-chosen executor can streamline the process, while a poor choice can lead to delays, disputes, higher costs, and added stress for your grieving loved ones.
Corporate Transparency Act Update: The On-Again, Off-Again Law and What It Means for You
As of January 2025, business owners are not required to file reports under the CTA. However, the act’s future remains uncertain as legal challenges continue. This blog breaks down the key arguments against the CTA, what these legal shifts mean for business, and how to navigate estate planning amid the uncertainty.
Navigating Probate: What Families Need to Know
If you have ever been involved with settling a deceased person’s estate, then you’ve heard of the term probate. Often, going through probate is seen as an added burden to the bereaved family.
Estate Planning for Blended Families: Tips and Challenges
With the rise of divorce and remarriage cases in the US, blended families are becoming increasingly common. The complex and often uniquely interesting dynamics in these types of families can make estate planning a delicate process.
Why Every College Student Needs a Power of Attorney (and How to Get One)
Sending your child to college is an exciting and significant milestone for any parent. When you’re done helping them with packing dorm essentials or setting their course schedules, we suggest you look into their most crucial legal document - the Power of Attorney (POA).
Credit Theft and Identity Theft: What You Need to Know to Safeguard Your Loved One’s Identity and Estate
Identity thieves can steal your deceased loved one’s personal information and use it to open credit accounts, make purchases, and commit fraud. This is a growing concern as it has been reported that 2.5 million deceased Americans’ identities are used improperly each year.
Types of Sub-Trusts: What is a Special Needs Trust?
Carrying on with our blog series on sub-trusts, we now shine the spotlight on the special needs trust (SNT). When used as a sub-trust, the SNT becomes a valuable tool, offering financial support without jeopardizing the beneficiary's eligibility for essential public benefits.
iCloud Terms of Service and Digital Assets: What You Need To Know
Most of us now rely on cloud storage services like iCloud to store and share everything, from photos to videos and even sensitive files like contracts and financial documents. But do you know what happens to these digital assets when you, the owner, are gone?
Still Have Questions or Not Sure Where to Begin?
Contact us today to schedule your free one-hour meeting with an attorney to assess your estate planning needs.