Welcome to Rilus Law
Rilus Law is a full-service estate planning, probate, and trust administration law firm serving families throughout Arizona and California. We design custom legal plans to help you preserve your legacy by minimizing taxes and simplifying administration by avoiding probate. We utilize the latest strategies with Revocable Trusts, Last Will and Testaments, Health Care Powers of Attorney and Durable Financial Powers of Attorney, and Digital Asset Planning to ensure that your assets and loved ones are protected when you can’t be there.
We also provide assistance with the administration that comes after the passing of a loved one. Whether there was a plan in place, or if there was no planning done, we can help you. While the court probate process can be time-consuming and complex, we make the process easy and provide you with straightforward solutions.
What is Next Generation Estate Planning?
Managing partner and founder, Rilus Dana, is a second-generation estate planning attorney. He has seen the industry grow and evolve over the years, and many "old-school" attorneys didn't grow with it. When he started his own firm, he wanted to provide a modern form of estate planning that makes things easier for the client, efficient for his team, effectively uses technology to support the process, and includes planning for digital assets. This didn't exist in the market, which led Rilus to start an estate planning practice management company, Maat Legal. Now, Rilus Law uses Maat Legal's proprietary estate planning processes and custom software, and Rilus is an industry leader providing Continuing Legal Education (CLE) to other estate planning attorneys nationwide.
Meet Our Managing Partner: Rilus Dana
Rilus is a sixth-generation native of Arizona and received a degree in business management from Arizona State University, all while working part-time as an estate planning law clerk for his dad. That planted the seeds of Rilus’ future law practice and core values, as he gained a deep understanding of the importance of legal planning for families.
With over two decades of experience in the industry, Rilus recognizes that clients are busy and want a legal plan that just works and is easy to understand. Things change in life, sometimes quickly, and your legal documents can’t always keep up because you don’t want to call your lawyer and pay high hourly fees every time. While the documents are important, ultimately, it is more important to know that your family has a trusted advisor if something happens. Rilus built his firm with that in mind. To do this, he got rid of hourly fees and put systems in place to ensure that the transfer of assets takes place and your plan updates as your family and needs change.
Rooted in his business management background and INTJ “architect” personality type, Rilus brings creativity, rationality, and attention to perfecting the details. So, he loves knowing that the planning techniques he implements daily save clients money and prevent probate. Personally, Rilus is a father of three boys, a skateboarder (retired), surfer, hiker, yogi, activist, and vintage bicycle collector.
Meet the Team
Cindy Ames | Paralegal - Estate Planning
Cindy is an Estate Planning Paralegal with an impressive 35 years of experience as a paralegal. She brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her role. For the past two decades, she has focused specifically on estate planning, trust administration, and probate matters.
Driven by a deep passion for helping people safeguard their assets, Cindy finds fulfillment in assisting clients in protecting their wealth and ensuring the appropriate distribution of their assets. Her dedication to her work goes beyond the technical aspects of estate planning; she genuinely cares about easing clients' minds and providing them with peace of mind throughout the process.
Cindy's passions extend beyond the legal realm. She is happily married and, together with her husband, is the proud parent of five children and the loving grandparent of ten grandchildren. When she's not immersed in the intricacies of estate planning, Cindy enjoys spending quality time with her family. Camping trips and fishing adventures provide the perfect opportunities to create lasting memories and reconnect with nature. As an avid sci-fi enthusiast, her favorite quote is "Live long and prosper.”
With Cindy's extensive experience, compassionate approach, and commitment to her client's well-being, she is an invaluable asset to our law firm. Her expertise and genuine care make her an integral part of our Estate Planning department, ensuring our clients receive the highest level of service and peace of mind.
Lori Bradford | Paralegal - Probate and Estate Administration
Lori brings invaluable expertise and leadership to our law firm as the Administration Paralegal, overseeing and managing all Probate and Trust Administration cases. With her extensive experience and exceptional organizational skills, Lori ensures that our clients receive the highest level of support throughout the process of administering a Trust or Estate after the passing of a loved one.
In her role, Lori takes charge of all administration cases, diligently guiding clients through the challenging legal procedures involved. Her compassionate and mindful approach shines through as she empathizes with clients during this difficult time, offering them much-needed support and understanding. Lori's ability to connect with people on a personal level and build strong relationships is an asset that enhances the quality of service we provide.
With over 11 years of experience working alongside Mr. Dana, Lori has developed a deep understanding of the intricacies of Probate and Trust Administration. Her eight years specifically dedicated to this area of law have honed her expertise and fortified her skills. One of her most remarkable qualities is her keen eye for detail, ensuring that every aspect of the administration process is meticulously handled.
Outside of her professional endeavors, Lori cherishes her time with her family. As a native of Arizona, she has deep roots in the community and takes pleasure in the company of her loving husband of 29 years and their three wonderful children. Whether it's listening to music, spending time outdoors, or embarking on hiking adventures, Lori finds joy in every moment she can dedicate to her hobbies and the natural beauty of her surroundings.
Lori's dedication to her clients, her wealth of knowledge in Probate and Trust Administration, and her compassionate nature make her an invaluable member of our team. She consistently strives to provide our clients with the utmost care and expertise, guiding them through complex legal processes with empathy and proficiency.
Paige Starrett | Legal Assistant
Paige is an invaluable asset to our law firm as a legal assistant, where she plays a vital role in establishing and maintaining strong relationships between our firm and our valued clients. With her exceptional communication skills, Paige excels in both speaking and actively listening to clients, ensuring that their needs are understood and their concerns addressed.
One of Paige's key responsibilities is drafting LLCs (Limited Liability Companies) and Privacy Trusts for our estate planning clients. Her meticulous attention to detail and thorough understanding of legal documentation ensures the accuracy and quality of the materials produced. Paige takes pride in her work and finds fulfillment in contributing to the success of our clients' estate planning needs.
Although Paige is relatively new to our firm, she has already formed meaningful connections with our clients. She deeply values the relationships that grow from her interactions, recognizing the importance of empathy and compassion when clients experience difficult situations, such as the passing of a spouse. Paige's previous experience in the auto industry, coupled with her upbeat and social attitude, allows her to create a welcoming and supportive environment.
When she's not dedicating her time to the needs of our clients, Paige enjoys spending quality time with her fiancé, Michael, and their two beloved Dachshunds, Murph (2) and Morty (4). Their loving care for Murph, who is currently battling cancer, is a testament to Paige's compassion and dedication. Engaging in co-ed sports activities with friends and her fiancé, embarking on Costco runs, and giving her home a fresh look through redecorating are among the activities that bring joy to Paige's life outside of work.
With her exceptional communication skills, dedication to client relationships, and commitment to providing quality legal assistance, Paige is an integral part of our team. Her warm and caring nature, combined with her professional expertise, ensures that our clients receive the utmost support and personalized attention throughout their legal journey.
Raquel Bradford | Legal Assistant
Raquel is an invaluable member of our law firm, serving as a dedicated legal assistant under the guidance of our probate and trust administration paralegal. With her diverse skill set and attention to detail, Raquel seamlessly handles various responsibilities within the firm.
Her primary role involves assisting in probate and trust administration tasks, as well as ensuring that all bookings and recordings of deeds related to estate planning are meticulously executed. Additionally, Raquel plays a pivotal role in managing client interactions by providing support in answering phone calls and addressing inquiries.
With a solid foundation in customer service, Raquel brings exceptional communication skills, organizational prowess, and efficiency to her work. Her ability to connect with clients and understand their needs fosters a supportive and seamless experience throughout the estate planning process. She finds immense satisfaction in finalizing clients' documents and assisting them through the final steps of their estate planning journey.
Born and raised in Mesa, Arizona, Raquel has deep roots in the community. Her love for the natural beauty surrounding her hometown is evident in her leisure activities. Among her favorite pastimes is watching the amazing Arizona sunsets. Embracing her passion for the outdoors, Raquel enjoys exploring the diverse mountains and trails scattered throughout the valley. In addition to her love for nature, Raquel further nurtures a sense of adventure through travel.
With her strong work ethic, excellent communication skills, and passion for providing exceptional client support, Raquel contributes immensely to the success of our law firm. Her commitment to professionalism, coupled with her love for the outdoors and exploration, adds a dynamic and vibrant dimension to our team.
“What most people want is the peace of mind that everything is in place to work for your family. If something happens to you, I am going to be there for your family.”
- Rilus Dana, J.D.
Estate Planning is Personal
We know modern families come in all shapes and sizes.
Couples that are not married, couples with children from prior relationships, same-sex couples, grandparents raising grandchildren, and so much more. We define “family” as the people that you love and care about.
At Rilus Law, the planning process starts by getting to know your family and your goals. Then, we design a custom estate plan that meets your specific needs and protects your family.
We have designed thousands of estate plans for all types of families!
We have worked with engineers, corporate executives, business owners, professional athletes, doctors, healthcare workers, pilots, and everyone in between. We create custom plans for married couples, singles, and couples that are not married. Every family has a unique set of needs and with each estate plan we design, we learn more about how to better serve our clients. Our estate plans have the tools to protect your family and preserve your legacy.
We are also experienced in helping families after the loss of a loved one. Our firm has administered hundreds of estates, whether it be a trust administration or navigating the probate process. Our experience in administering estates helps us provide efficient and practical solutions when designing an estate plan, and when administering an estate.