At Riseling & Rhodes, P.C., we help individuals and families across Tulsa and the surrounding Oklahoma counties create revocable trusts that reduce uncertainty, simplify administration, and provide long-term peace of mind. Our attorneys take time to learn your goals, understand your family dynamics, and design a trust that fits comfortably within your broader estate plan.
Revocable Trusts
A Flexible, Private Way to Protect Your Estate and Care for the People You Love
Why Many Families Choose a Revocable Trust
Many families choose a revocable trust because it manages assets during and after your lifetime, avoids probate, and can protect your beneficiary’s inheritance after you pass away.
Whatever your reasons, a revocable trust provides a thoughtful structure that evolves with you as life changes.
Understanding Revocable Trusts
A revocable trust is a legal arrangement that holds your assets during your lifetime and directs how the assets should be managed or distributed after your death. Because the trust is “revocable,” you may change it at any time while you have capacity.
One hundred percent of the time when clients create or amend a revocable trust, the client serves as their own trustee and continues managing their assets as usual. If you become incapacitated or pass away, a successor trustee you have named—often a family member or trusted advisor, steps in to carry out your instructions without court supervision.
Our firm’s revocable trusts stand apart from most others. They are designed to safeguard your beneficiaries’ inheritance using what we call the “vault” method. This includes asset protection for beneficiaries – such as divorce, general creditors, guardianship, and probate. Additionally, most clients give their beneficiaries the flexibility to choose when to receive distributions, often based on the beneficiary’s age.
We can also include provisions to limit a beneficiary’s control over their inheritance. If you believe it is in the beneficiary’s best interest not to have immediate access or any access at all, we can structure the trust to provide protections while still ensuring they receive their inheritance.
In practical terms, a revocable trust helps your family avoid probate, manage your estate efficiently, and maintain privacy while ensuring your wishes remain clear and accessible.
Benefits of a Revocable Trust
A revocable trust can provide important advantages when thoughtfully designed and properly funded:
Avoids Probate: Assets titled in the trust do not go through the public probate process.
Asset Protection for Beneficiaries: Upon your death, your beneficiaries’ inheritance can be protected from divorce, guardianship, creditors, and probate when the beneficiary passes away.
Protects Privacy: Trusts are private documents and keep your personal information out of the court record.
Provides Continuity: A successor trustee may immediately handle financial matters if you become incapacitated.
Offers Flexibility: You may amend, update, or revoke the trust as needed.
Simplifies Organization: Real estate, accounts, and investments can be coordinated under one structure.
Reduces Administrative Burden: Your loved ones have a clear roadmap, reducing the time and cost of managing your estate
Our attorneys work closely with you to ensure your trust reflects your values, priorities, and long-term vision.
Our Trust Planning Process
Working with Riseling & Rhodes, P.C. means receiving guidance from attorneys who prioritize clarity and personal attention. Our process is steady and intentional:
1.
Initial Consultation
We discuss your goals, family circumstances, and the assets you wish to include.
2.
Drafting Your Trust
We create a trust agreement tailored specifically to you ensuring it reflects your wishes and follows state law. For most estate plans, we aim to send draft documents within two to three weeks of your first consultation.
3.
Asset Review and Funding
We provide guidance on properly titling assets in your trust. Funding is essential; without it, the trust cannot serve its intended purpose.
4.
Execution and Delivery
Once your trust is signed, witnessed, and notarized, we review next steps and make sure you feel confident moving forward.
5.
Ongoing Support
As your life evolves, we assist with updates, amendments, and questions from successor trustees.
Our goal is to create a plan that remains reliable and clear for decades to come.
Key Services Included
When you establish a revocable trust with our firm, you can expect assistance with:
CUSTOMIZED TRUST DRAFTING
REVIEW OF ASSETS AND COORDINATED FUNDING GUIDANCE
POUR-OVER WILL PREPARATION
SUCCESSOR TRUSTEE GUIDANCE
AMENDMENTS OR RESTATEMENTS WHEN NEEDED
INTEGRATION WITH YOUR POWERS OF ATTORNEY AND ADVANCE DIRECTIVE
Each element is designed to help your trust function smoothly when your family needs it most.
How a Trust Fits Into a Complete Estate Plan
A revocable trust works best as part of a coordinated estate plan. Most clients also sign:
A pour-over will, which directs any untitled assets to the trust
A statutory (or durable) power of attorney for financial decisions
An advance directive and medical power of attorney to outline medical preferences
Together, these tools provide structure during incapacity, simplify administration, and ensure all decisions align with your long-term wishes.
When to Create or Update a Trust
A revocable trust can be created at any stage of adulthood, but you may find it especially helpful when:
You own real estate in multiple states
You want to avoid probate for your family
You want to provide asset protection to your beneficiaries
You wish to maintain privacy regarding your estate
You are remarried or have a blended family
Your assets or business interests have grown
You have recently experienced a major life event (marriage, birth, divorce, relocation)
We also review and update trusts for clients who have moved into Oklahoma to ensure the document complies with local law.
Who a Revocable Trust Is For
This type of planning is well-suited for:
Individuals and couples who want to avoid probate
Families seeking clarity and continuity in case of incapacity
Business owners and property owners with multiple assets
Parents wishing to streamline future administration for children
Retirees who want a more organized and private estate plan
Why Choose Riseling & Rhodes, P.C.
For nearly four decades, our firm has helped clients throughout Oklahoma create thoughtful, effective estate plans. When you work with us, you receive:
Extensive estate planning experience built on decades of focused practice
Personal attention from attorneys who take time to understand your needs
Tax and financial insight integrated into your trust planning
Consistent support for updates, successor trustee questions, and long-term maintenance
Retirees who want a more organized and private estate plan
We are a boutique firm by design, enabling us to provide careful, individualized guidance at every step.
Frequently Asked Questions
Plan Today. Protect Tomorrow.
A revocable trust offers flexibility, privacy, and peace of mind—allowing you to care for the people who matter most. To begin or update your estate plan, we welcome you to meet with our team.