Iowa uses formal, court-supervised probate, which makes an attorney worthwhile for most estates in Buchanan County — the filing sequence, notice requirements, and accounting leave little room for error. Estates under the small-estate threshold are the usual exception.
Iowa uses a presumed-reasonable fee schedule for probate attorneys — the percentages are a starting point that can be negotiated, especially for simple estates. Buchanan County firms typically follow the schedule for routine work and negotiate on complex matters.
A probate attorney files the petition with the District Court, publishes the required creditor notices, prepares the inventory and accounting, handles creditor claims and tax filings, and guides the final distribution. They represent the personal representative — not the beneficiaries — a distinction that matters if a dispute develops.
FirmIndependence, IA
Serves 1 county
Serves Buchanan County and eastern Iowa from an office in downtown Independence. Guides executors and administrators through Iowa probate, from opening the estate and notifying heirs and creditors to inventory, paying and contesting claims, fiduciary returns, transferring real property and closing, and handles will contests and disputes among heirs.
PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationProbateProbate Litigationand 3 more
- Office
- 222 1st Street EastIndependence, IA 50644
FirmCedar Falls, IA
Since 1898 · Serves 4 counties
Serves Black Hawk County and Northeast Iowa from Cedar Falls. Advises individual and corporate fiduciaries through trust and estate administration, prepares fiduciary income, estate and Iowa inheritance tax returns, assists guardians and conservators with annual reports, and handles will contests. In general practice since 1898.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbate LitigationTax Planningand 6 more
- Office
- 415 Clay StreetCedar Falls, IA 50613
FirmCedar Rapids, IA
Serves 7 counties
Serves Linn, Benton, Johnson, Cedar, Black Hawk, Jones, and Buchanan counties from Cedar Rapids. Handles probate and intestate estates and prepares wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and living wills, including trust and probate litigation matters.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbate AdministrationWills Trusts
- Office
- 425 2nd St SE, Suite 900Cedar Rapids, IA 52401
FirmWaterloo, IA
Since 1958 · Serves the whole state
Serves clients across Iowa from offices in Waterloo and North Liberty. Guides families through the Iowa probate process and drafts wills, trusts, powers of attorney, healthcare directives, and beneficiary designations, including estate plans for family farms and small businesses. A litigation-focused firm practicing since 1958.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbate AdministrationWills Trusts
- Office
- 3324 Kimball AvenueWaterloo, IA 50702
FirmNewton, IA
Since 1927 · Serves the whole state
Serves Jasper, Polk, Marion, and Poweshiek counties from Newton. Handles probate and trust law matters, estate planning, wills and trusts, and elder law. Randal B. Caldwell is a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel.
PracticesEstate PlanningElder LawProbate AdministrationWills Trusts
- Office
- 211 First Avenue WNewton, IA 50208
FirmNew Hampton, IA
Serves the whole state
Serves Chickasaw County from New Hampton, with offices in Cresco, Charles City and West Union. Its attorneys list probate and estate planning among their main practice areas, alongside real estate, income tax and agricultural law. Formed in 1993 by the merger of the Elwood firm of Cresco and the O'Donohoe firm of New Hampton, founded in 1948.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbateAgricultural LawReal Estate
- Office
- 101 North Locust AvenueNew Hampton, IA 50659
Firm listings are for informational purposes only. SimplyTrust does not endorse or recommend any specific firm or attorney. Contact firms directly to verify their current practice areas and availability.
