Des Moines Estate Planning Lawyer

Estate planning representation grounded in 17 years of work on behalf of clients in Des Moines, IA.

Many residents of Des Moines recognize the importance of an estate plan but have not yet completed one. In most cases, this is not a matter of avoidance but of uncertainty regarding where to begin and which documents a sound plan requires.

Our Des Moines, IA estate planning lawyer guides clients through each document, from a basic will to a structured trust, and explains the purpose and legal effect of each one. Law Group of Iowa brings more than 60 years of combined legal experience to estate planning matters. We invite you to schedule a free consultation to discuss your goals.

Estate Planning Lawyer Des Moines, IA 

Estate planning is the process of deciding what happens to your property, your healthcare, and your dependents if you become unable to act for yourself or after you pass away. An estate plan is a set of legal documents that records those decisions in a form Iowa courts and financial institutions will follow.

Estate planning is not only for the wealthy. A young parent naming a guardian, a homeowner who wants to keep an estate out of probate, and a business owner planning a transfer all have a plan worth building. A Des Moines estate planning attorney helps match the right documents to your situation so your wishes carry legal weight.

Types of Estate Planning Cases We Handle in Des Moines, IA

Estate planning covers far more than a single document. Most plans combine several tools that work together, and the right mix depends on what you own and who depends on you. Here are the estate planning services our Des Moines office handles most often.

• Wills. A will directs who receives your property and names a guardian for any minor children. Without one, Iowa intestacy law makes those choices for you. We draft wills that are clear, properly witnessed, and built to hold up if questioned.
• Trusts. A trust holds and manages assets for the people you choose, often outside of probate. We prepare both revocable and irrevocable trusts. For many clients who want privacy and a faster transfer, a living trust is the natural starting point.
• Powers of attorney. A financial power of attorney lets someone you trust manage money and property if you cannot. A healthcare power of attorney does the same for medical decisions. Both keep your affairs in steady hands during a difficult stretch.
• Living wills. This document records your wishes about life support and end-of-life care. It gives your family and your doctors clear direction during a crisis, which reduces confusion and conflict at a hard moment.
• Probate administration. When a loved one passes away, their estate often moves through probate court. We guide executors through inventory, creditor notice, and distribution so the settlement stays orderly and on track.
• Guardianships and conservatorships. These arrangements protect minors and adults who cannot manage their own affairs. We help families establish them and meet the ongoing reporting duties the court requires.
• Asset protection. Thoughtful planning can shield property from creditors and reduce what your heirs lose to costs. These strategies are built directly into wills and trusts rather than added as an afterthought.
• Business succession planning. Owners need a plan for what happens to a company at retirement, illness, or death. We coordinate the corporate formation records and ownership transfer with the rest of the estate plan so nothing conflicts.
• Charitable giving plans. Many clients want part of their estate to support a church, school, or cause that matters to them. We structure those gifts so they are honored and handled in a tax-efficient way.

Why Choose Law Group of Iowa for Estate Planning in Des Moines?

Experience Across Iowa Estate and Business Law

Jason Yates handles estate planning matters at Law Group of Iowa and has practiced law for 17 years. He earned his law degree with honors from Drake University Law School. He also works in elder law and business matters, including New Market Tax Credit transactions, which helps when a plan involves a closely held company. His practice is built on preparation and a real sense of responsibility to the people he represents.

A Record Clients Trust

Across the firm, our attorneys bring more than 60 years of combined experience helping clients across Iowa. Every estate plan begins with a free consultation, so there is no cost to learn where you stand.

What Is Important to Understand About Estate Planning Cases?

A solid plan is built from a handful of documents, each doing a specific job. Knowing what those documents do, how the process unfolds, and what to prepare makes the whole thing far less daunting.

Key Estate Planning Documents and What They Do

Most plans draw from the same core set of documents. The right combination depends on your assets, your family, and your goals.

• A will directs how your property is distributed and names a guardian for minor children.
• A revocable living trust holds assets during your life and transfers them to beneficiaries without probate.
• An irrevocable trust, including a special needs trust or a discretionary trust, places assets under terms that generally cannot be changed later.
• A financial power of attorney authorizes someone to manage money and property if you become unable to.
• A healthcare power of attorney and a living will record who decides your medical care and what treatment you want.
• Beneficiary designations on accounts and policies pass assets directly, so they should match the rest of your plan.

What Are Important Aspects of an Estate Planning Case?

A plan only works if the details are right. Several aspects deserve close attention.

• Documents must be signed and witnessed exactly as Iowa law requires, or they can fail.
• Beneficiary forms override what a will says, so the two need to be consistent.
• A trust does nothing until it is funded, meaning the assets are actually transferred into it.
• Guardian and trustee choices should reflect who can realistically take on the role.

An outdated beneficiary form or an unsigned page ranks among the most common estate planning missteps, and careful drafting prevents them.

What Is the Estate Planning Case Timeline?

Building a plan moves faster than most people expect. A straightforward plan often comes together within a few weeks.

• We start with a consultation to review your assets, family, and goals.
• We recommend a set of documents and explain the role of each.
• We draft the documents and send them to you to read.
• We meet again to sign and properly witness everything.
• We help you fund any trusts and update beneficiary designations.

A plan should change as your life does. Marriage, a new child, a move, or a death in the family can all affect it.

What Should You Bring to Your Estate Planning Consultation?

A productive first meeting starts with a clear picture of what you own. Bring what you can, and we can fill any gaps later.

• A list of major assets, including real estate, accounts, and business interests.
• Recent statements for retirement and investment accounts.
• Any existing will, trust, or power of attorney.
• Names of people you may want as guardians, executors, or trustees.

The first meeting is a conversation, not a commitment. We listen, answer your questions, and outline your options, and the consultation itself is free.

What Are Important Iowa Legal Resources for Estate Planning Cases?

Iowa’s estate and probate statutes are organized in the Iowa Code, which the state publishes online. A few starting points can help you locate the rules that apply to your plan.

• The Iowa Code is maintained by the Iowa Legislature and contains the state’s probate and trust statutes.
• The Iowa Judicial Branch offers court forms and plain-language guidance on probate procedure.
• Federal estate tax thresholds are explained on the IRS estate tax page.
• Lifetime gift limits are covered by the IRS gift tax resources.
• Healthcare directive basics are described by the National Institute on Aging.
• Survivor benefit questions are addressed by the Social Security Administration.

Reach Out to Law Group of Iowa to Schedule a Consultation

When you are ready to put a plan in place, Law Group of Iowa is here to help. Every estate planning consultation is free, and there is no pressure to decide anything on the spot. We will explain your options in plain language and tell you what a complete plan would involve. Contact us to schedule a time that works for you.

Estate Planning Statistics in Des Moines

Des Moines anchors Polk County and the largest metropolitan area in Iowa, and its population is steadily aging. U.S. Census Bureau figures indicate that more than one in eight Des Moines residents is 65 or older, and that share has been climbing.

An aging population means more families face decisions about wills, trusts, healthcare directives, and the transfer of homes and retirement accounts. But estate planning is not only an end-of-life concern. Younger residents with children, property, or a business also benefit from documents that name guardians and direct assets. The need is broad, and it grows at every stage of life.

Questions to Ask an Estate Planning Lawyer Before Hiring

Choosing the right lawyer matters as much as choosing the right documents. A short conversation tells you a great deal. These questions help you compare your options before you commit.

1. How long have you practiced estate planning, and do you handle Iowa probate? Experience with both planning and administration is valuable, because a lawyer who has settled estates knows where plans tend to break down.
2. Which documents do you recommend for someone in my situation? The answer should be specific to your assets and your family, not a one-size template. A thoughtful lawyer will ask questions before recommending anything.
3. How do you charge for this work? Ask whether fees are flat or hourly and what is included. You want a clear picture of cost before the work begins.
4. Will you help fund my trust? A trust that is created but never funded does not work. Funding is the step that gets skipped most often.
5. What happens to my plan if Iowa law or my circumstances change? Look for a clear approach to updates, since a plan is not meant to sit untouched for decades.
6. How are healthcare directives handled? Your plan should cover medical decisions, not only property. Ask how a living will and a healthcare power of attorney fit together.
7. Who will I work with, and how do you communicate? Know how your questions will get answered and how quickly you can expect a response.
8. Can you coordinate business succession with my estate plan? This matters if you own a company, because the two plans need to align rather than contradict each other.
9. What is the timeline for completing my documents? A straightforward plan should not drag on for months without reason.

A free consultation is the natural place to ask these questions. It costs nothing, and it tells you quickly whether a firm is the right fit for you.

Des Moines Estate Planning Lawyer FAQs

How much does estate planning cost in Des Moines?

Cost depends on what your plan includes. A simple will costs far less than a plan with multiple trusts and business succession provisions. We explain pricing at the free consultation, before any work begins, so you can make a decision with full information. There are no surprise fees added later.

Do I need a will, a trust, or both?

Many people need both, and the right answer depends on your assets and goals. A will covers basic distribution and guardianship. A trust can avoid probate and add control. Comparing wills and trusts directly with a lawyer helps clarify which structure fits your situation.

What happens if I die without a will in Iowa?

If you die without a will, Iowa’s intestacy laws decide who inherits your property. Those default rules may not match what you wanted, and they do not account for blended families or close friends. The estate also goes through probate, which adds time and cost for your family.

How long does it take to create an estate plan?

A straightforward plan often takes a few weeks from the first meeting to signing. The timeline depends on the documents involved and how quickly you gather asset information. More complex plans, especially those with business interests, can take longer. We give you a realistic estimate at the start.

What is an advance directive?

An advance directive is a document that states your healthcare wishes in advance. In Iowa, this usually means a living will, which addresses life support, and a healthcare power of attorney, which names a decision-maker. Together, they guide your family and doctors if you cannot speak for yourself.

How often should I update my estate plan?

Review your plan every few years and after any major life change. Marriage, divorce, a new child, a death, or a significant change in assets can all affect it. Knowing when to update your documents keeps the plan accurate and enforceable.

Does an estate plan help avoid probate?

A well-built plan can reduce or avoid probate. Assets held in a properly funded trust generally pass outside of probate, as do accounts with valid beneficiary designations. A will alone does not avoid probate, but it does make the process more orderly for your family.

What is the difference between Medicare and Medicaid in long-term care planning?

The two programs are often confused. Medicare is health coverage tied to age and work history, and it pays little toward long-term nursing care. Medicaid can cover long-term care but has strict financial limits. Planning ahead affects which program a family can rely on.

Who should I choose as my executor or trustee?

Choose someone organized, trustworthy, and willing to take on the role. Your executor handles your will through probate, and serving as executor is a genuine responsibility. If you create a trust, naming a trustee who will follow its terms carefully matters just as much.

Is the first consultation really free?

Yes. The first consultation for estate planning is free, with no obligation to hire us afterward. We use that time to understand your situation, answer your questions, and outline what a complete plan would involve. You leave with a clear sense of your options either way.

Local Information for Des Moines Estate Planning Cases

Polk County Probate Court and Local Resources

Estate matters in Des Moines run through Polk County. When a will enters probate or a guardianship is established, the case is handled at the Polk County Courthouse downtown. Knowing which office does what saves time, whether you are planning ahead or settling a loved one’s estate.

What Are Important Local Resources for Des Moines Estate Planning?

Several Polk County offices play a role in estate planning and administration. This list is provided for general information only.

• Polk County Courthouse — The Clerk of Court here processes probate filings and guardianship cases. 500 Mulberry Street, Des Moines. (515) 286-3772.
• Polk County Recorder — This office records deeds and real estate transfers and maintains vital records. (515) 286-3160.
• Iowa Judicial Branch — The state court website offers approved court forms and guidance on probate procedure.

Disclaimer: Law Group of Iowa is not affiliated with these offices, and including them here is not an endorsement.

About the Attorney

Jason Yates has spent his career representing Iowa clients and joined Law Group of Iowa in 2021. He completed his undergraduate studies at St. Bonaventure University and went on to earn his law degree from Drake. He is a member of the Iowa State Bar Association and the Iowa Association for Justice, and he has been recognized among the Top 100 by the National Trial Lawyers. He lives in West Des Moines.

What Our Clients Say

★★★★★

“I do not often write reviews, but the exceptional service I received from the Law Group of Iowa merits recognition. Following the passing of my spouse, I needed to update all of my estate planning documents—including my will, power of attorney, and medical power of attorney—while also establishing a trust to ensure my assets transfer outside of probate, as well as a special needs trust for my daughter.

Paula at the Law Group of Iowa demonstrated professionalism, expertise, and genuine care throughout the entire process. She took the time to fully understand my situation, offered thoughtful guidance, and ensured that every detail was addressed… ” — Ted Baxter

Read more reviews on our Google Business Profile.

Contact Law Group of Iowa

Putting an estate plan in place is one of the most practical things you can do for the people you love. Law Group of Iowa helps Des Moines families build wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives that hold up when they are needed. The first consultation is free, and we will explain in plain terms what your plan should include and what it will likely cost. Most plans come together within a few weeks of that first meeting. Contact us to schedule your estate planning consultation.