Iowa uses formal, court-supervised probate, which makes an attorney worthwhile for most estates in Pottawattamie 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. Pottawattamie 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.
FirmCouncil Bluffs, IA
Since 1952 · Serves 1 county
Serves Pottawattamie County from Council Bluffs, a few blocks from the county courthouse, and also handles probate and estate matters in Nebraska. Guides personal representatives through probate, from the petition to admit the will through creditor notices, court reports, and the final accounting, and helps trustees administer trusts. Opened in 1952 by Maynard Telpner.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationElder LawConservatorshipand 4 more
- Office
- 25 Main Place, Suite 200Council Bluffs, IA 51503
Solo PracticeAtlantic, IA
Since 1879 · Serves 16 counties
Serves southwest Iowa's Cass, Adair, Montgomery, and Shelby counties from Atlantic, midway between the Omaha and Des Moines metros. Handles estate planning, wills and trusts, probate, trust administration, guardianships, and conservatorships for area families. Practicing since 1879.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationTax PlanningConservatorshipand 4 more
- Office
- 520 Chestnut StreetAtlantic, IA 50022
FirmRed Oak, IA
Since 1884 · Serves 11 counties
Serves Montgomery, Page, Mills, Fremont and neighboring southwest Iowa counties from Red Oak. Drafts wills, trusts and powers of attorney, and guides families through probate so a decedent's estate is administered under Iowa law. Established in 1884, the firm's three partners are Mark, Bruce and Drew Swanson.
PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationProbateReal EstateWills Trusts
- Office
- 209 East Coolbaugh StreetRed Oak, IA 51566
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.
