Iowa uses formal, court-supervised probate, which makes an attorney worthwhile for most estates in Polk 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. Polk 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
Solo PracticeWest Des Moines, IA
Since 2005 · Serves 2 counties
Serves Dallas and Polk counties from West Des Moines. Handles probate court filings and reports, estate and inheritance tax returns and tax clearances, and guardianships and conservatorships. Attorney Samuel I. Kreamer is also a certified public accountant; established in 2005.
PracticesEstate PlanningTax PlanningConservatorshipGuardianshipand 3 more
- Office
- 7155 Lake Drive, Suite 200West Des Moines, IA 50266
Solo PracticeGrimes, IA
Since 2013 · Serves 2 counties
Serves Des Moines, Urbandale, and the surrounding area from Grimes. Handles probate and estate administration, post-death trust administration, guardianships and conservatorships, Medicaid planning for long-term care, and special needs trusts. The attorney and two staff members are Certified Medicaid Planners.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationElder LawConservatorshipand 5 more
- Office
- 112 NE Ewing Street, Suite DGrimes, IA 50111
FirmDes Moines, IA
Since 1918 · Serves 3 counties
Serves clients from offices in Des Moines, Ames, and Cedar Rapids. Its Wealth Transfer, Trusts & Estates practice handles probate of estates, trust administration and fiduciary duties, trust and estate litigation, guardianships and conservatorships, and estate and gift tax planning and audits. Founded in Des Moines in 1918.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbate LitigationTrust Litigationand 5 more
- Office
- 700 Walnut Street, Suite 1300Des Moines, IA 50309
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
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.
