Iowa uses formal, court-supervised probate, which makes an attorney worthwhile for most estates in Louisa County — the filing sequence, notice requirements, and accounting leave little room for error. Estates under the small-estate threshold are the usual exception.
Probate attorney fees in Iowa are set by the court as reasonable compensation, capped at a statutory schedule tied to the estate's value. Louisa County firms quote within that ceiling, so ask for the structure up front.
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.
FirmBurlington, IA
Since 1985 · Serves 4 counties
Serves Des Moines, Henry, Lee, and Louisa counties from Burlington, along with west-central Illinois. Handles probate and trust administration with the court, estate and inheritance tax returns, and will contests, fiduciary removal and trustee disputes. Six attorneys; in practice since 1985.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateProbate Litigationand 2 more
- Office
- 524 N Main StreetBurlington, IA 52601
FirmFairfield, IA
Since 1976 · Serves 3 counties
Serves Jefferson, Henry, and Van Buren counties from offices in Fairfield and Mount Pleasant. Probates wills from petition through inheritance tax returns, final report, distribution, and closing the estate, and prepares wills, trusts, and powers of attorney. A family-owned office serving the area since 1976.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbateTax Planning
- Office
- 119 N Court StFairfield, IA 52556
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 PlanningProbateWills 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 PlanningProbateElder LawWills 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
FirmSioux City, IA
Since 2009 · Serves the whole state
Serves families throughout Iowa, Nebraska, and South Dakota from its Sioux City office, with offices in Omaha and Sioux Falls. Guides executors, trustees, and personal representatives through probate filings, creditor notices, and trust administration, and mediates estate disputes. A women-owned firm founded in 2009.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateAsset ProtectionBusiness Succession
- Office
- 410 5th StreetSioux City, IA 51101
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.
