Iowa uses formal, court-supervised probate, which makes an attorney worthwhile for most estates in Marion 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. Marion 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.
FirmDes Moines, IA
Serves 2 counties
Serves Polk and Marion counties from offices in Des Moines and Pella. Represents fiduciaries in trust and estate administration, including probate, fiduciary tax returns, guardianships and conservatorships, and disputed probate proceedings such as will and trust contests. Formed in 2024 by the merger of Dickinson, Mackaman, Tyler & Hagen and Bradshaw, Fowler, Proctor & Fairgrave.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbate LitigationTrust Litigationand 9 more
- Office
- 801 Grand Avenue, Suite 3700Des Moines, IA 50309
FirmIndianola, IA
Since 2003 · Serves 2 counties
Serves Warren County and Central Iowa from Indianola. Helps executors and administrators through probate, handles will contests, and represents guardians and conservators from appointment through the required annual reports. Founded in 2003 by Ryan J. Ellis, a former Warren and Marion County drug prosecutor; four attorneys.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbate LitigationConservatorshipGuardianshipProbate Administration
- Office
- 2007 N. 6th StreetIndianola, IA 50125
FirmKnoxville, IA
Serves 1 county
Serves Marion County from Knoxville, one block from the Marion County Courthouse. Handles probate, wills, trusts, estate planning, and elder law alongside real estate, business, and tax matters. Rated AV by Martindale-Hubbell.
PracticesEstate PlanningElder LawTax PlanningProbate AdministrationWills Trusts
- Office
- 113 East Marion StreetKnoxville, IA 50138
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.
