A good estate plan does two simple things: it makes sure the people you love are cared for, and it keeps your family out of a slow, public probate fight after you are gone. The right Des Moines estate-planning attorney builds a plan that fits your family and your assets, and tells you plainly which documents you actually need and which you do not. Every firm below has a verifiable Iowa wills, trusts, and probate practice and was confirmed across at least two independent sources.
Updated June 02, 202610 min readEditorially independent
Estate planning is more than a will. A complete plan usually includes a last will and testament that says who gets what and names a guardian for minor children; one or more powers of attorney that let someone you trust handle your finances and health-care decisions if you cannot; and, for many families, a revocable living trust that can pass assets to your heirs without going through probate at all. Iowa also recognizes living wills and health-care directives. The right mix depends on your family, your assets, and whether avoiding probate or planning for long-term care is a priority.
What this costs in Des Moines is more predictable than most legal work because much of it is flat-fee. A straightforward will-based plan with powers of attorney commonly runs a few hundred to roughly $1,500 for an individual or couple. A revocable living trust package, which does more and avoids probate, typically runs $1,500 to $4,000 or more depending on complexity. Estates with a business, blended-family issues, special-needs planning, or significant assets cost more and are worth the extra care. Probate, if it becomes necessary, is a separate matter usually billed hourly or by a statutory fee.
Iowa probate is worth understanding before you plan. When someone dies with only a will, their estate generally passes through probate in the county district court, a process that takes months and is part of the public record. A well-drafted living trust can avoid that for the assets it holds. The attorneys below handle both the planning and the administration side. Each was confirmed across at least two independent sources, including Best Lawyers, Super Lawyers, Justia, U.S. News, and the firms' own published profiles, and each maintains a real Des Moines-area estate practice.
How we picked these 8: We cross-referenced peer rankings and directories (Best Lawyers, Super Lawyers, Avvo, Martindale-Hubbell, Justia, Expertise.com, FindLaw) and each firm's own published practice pages. Every firm below appeared in at least two independent sources and has a verifiable Des Moines-area estate planning practice. We do not accept payment for placement, and we do not write sponsored reviews. More on our methodology →
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Whitfield & Eddy Law
Des Moines, IABest Lawyers recognizedConsultation available
Practice focus: Wills, trusts, estate planning, probate, trust administration
Whitfield & Eddy Law is known across Des Moines and Iowa for careful, detailed estate work, handling estate planning, will contests, and probate and trust administration and litigation. The firm has been recognized by U.S. News and Best Lawyers among the Best Law Firms in the area.
Why they made the list: A peer-recognized Des Moines firm equally strong on planning and on probate or trust disputes.
West Des Moines, IAEstate & elder lawConsultation available
Practice focus: Estate planning, wills, trusts, elder law, Medicaid, VA pension planning
Pearson Bollman Law is an Iowa estate-planning and elder-law firm with offices including West Des Moines. The firm routinely counsels families on estate planning, wills, trusts, probate and trust administration, elder law and Medicaid planning, and VA pension eligibility.
Why they made the list: A strong choice when long-term care, Medicaid, or elder-law planning is part of the picture.
Des Moines, IAFull-service firmConsultation available
Practice focus: Wills, trusts, estate planning, probate, wealth transfer
Dickinson Bradshaw's Des Moines wills, trusts, and estate-planning practice helps clients preserve, administer, and transfer wealth using strategies that include protecting assets from creditors and minimizing gift and estate taxes. The firm brings the resources of a large practice to complex estates.
Why they made the list: A large-firm option for high-net-worth or tax-sensitive estate planning.
West Des Moines, IASince 1989Consultation available
Practice focus: Wills, trusts, estate planning, probate, business succession
Howes & Anderson, P.C. has advised individuals, families, and businesses in the West Des Moines area since 1989, pairing sound counsel with individual attention, affordable rates, and convenient service. The firm handles wills, trusts, probate, and related planning.
Why they made the list: An established, value-minded firm for families who want personal attention on a straightforward plan.
West Des Moines, IAWills, estates & trustsConsultation available
Practice focus: Wills, trusts, estate planning, probate administration
Beatty & Miller, P.C. presents itself as West Des Moines' will, estate, and trust law firm, focusing its practice on estate planning and the administration of estates and trusts for area families.
Why they made the list: A focused wills-and-trusts boutique for clients who want a dedicated estate practice.
Wilson Deege Despotovich Riemenschneider & Rittgers PLC
West Des Moines, IAWills, trusts & probateConsultation available
Practice focus: Wills, trusts, probate, estate administration
Wilson Deege Despotovich Riemenschneider & Rittgers PLC markets itself as an Iowa firm for wills, trusts, probate, and estate administration, serving West Des Moines and the surrounding metro.
Why they made the list: A West Des Moines practice built around wills, trusts, and probate administration.
Des Moines, IAEstate planning attorneyConsultation available
Practice focus: Wills, living wills, powers of attorney, revocable trusts
Hope Wood is a Des Moines estate-planning attorney with a Drake University law degree and more than a decade of experience preparing last wills, living wills, powers of attorney, and revocable trusts. She has been recognized among the area's well-reviewed estate-planning lawyers.
Why they made the list: A personal, well-reviewed solo practice for individuals and couples building a first plan.
Des Moines, IAIowa's largest firmConsultation available
Practice focus: Estate planning, trusts and estates, wealth transfer, probate
Nyemaster Goode, P.C., one of Iowa's largest firms with a Des Moines office, maintains a wealth-transfer, trusts, and estates practice that serves individuals and families on estate planning, trust and estate administration, and related tax planning.
Why they made the list: A large-firm trusts-and-estates group for complex or tax-driven planning needs.
Tell us about your family and your goals, and we will connect you with a Des Moines estate-planning attorney for a consultation. No cost, no obligation.
How to choose between them in Des Moines
Match the plan to your family. A young family with minor children needs guardianship and life-insurance coordination; a retiree may need long-term-care and Medicaid planning. Pick a firm whose focus matches your situation.
Ask whether you need a trust. Not everyone does. A good lawyer explains when a will is enough and when a revocable living trust earns its higher cost by avoiding probate.
Get the fee in writing. Core estate plans are usually flat fee, so ask exactly what documents are included and whether updates later cost extra.
Plan for incapacity, not just death. Powers of attorney and health-care directives matter while you are alive. Make sure your plan covers who decides if you cannot.
What estate planning help typically costs in Des Moines
Estate-planning costs in Des Moines are largely flat-fee and more predictable than most legal work. Here is what to expect:
Will-based plan: A will with financial and health-care powers of attorney commonly runs a few hundred dollars to roughly $1,500 for an individual or couple.
Revocable living trust: A trust package that avoids probate typically runs $1,500 to $4,000 or more, depending on the assets involved and the complexity.
Complex estates: Business succession, blended families, special-needs planning, or significant assets cost more and warrant the extra planning.
Probate: If probate becomes necessary, it is a separate matter usually billed hourly or under Iowa's statutory fee structure based on the estate's size.
Updates: Revisiting your plan after a marriage, divorce, birth, or move is usually a modest charge; ask whether the firm offers a flat update fee.
Ask each firm exactly which documents the flat fee includes and what later updates cost, in writing, before you start.
How long it takes
Building an estate plan in Des Moines is faster than most people expect:
Consultation: You meet the attorney, who reviews your family, assets, and goals and recommends which documents you actually need. Often a single meeting.
Drafting: The firm prepares your will, powers of attorney, and any trust, usually within a couple of weeks, and sends drafts for your review.
Signing: You sign with the required witnesses and notarization. Iowa has specific execution rules, so the firm walks you through signing correctly.
Funding and storage: If you have a trust, the firm helps retitle assets into it so it actually works, and explains where to store originals and who should have copies.
Red flags to watch for when hiring a estate planning lawyer in Des Moines
Guaranteed outcomes. No ethical attorney can promise a specific result. If a firm guarantees a win, a number, or a court ruling, walk away.
The disappearing senior partner. You meet a named partner at intake, then never hear from them again while an unsupervised junior runs the file. Ask in writing who handles your matter day to day.
Pressure to sign on the spot. Reputable firms give you the engagement letter in writing and time to read it. High-pressure intake is a volume-mill signal.
No verifiable track record. Look for named results, peer rankings, board certifications, or bar recognition — not "we have helped thousands of clients."
Vague fees. Every legitimate firm will put the fee structure, what is covered, and what triggers extra charges in a written engagement letter.
10 questions to ask in your free consultation
Most of the firms on this list offer a free or low-cost initial call. Use it. Bring a written list and write down the answers, then compare across two or three firms before you sign anything.
Who, specifically, will handle my matter day to day? Get a name and a direct email, not just the firm.
How many matters like mine have you handled in the last three years? You want a number, not a brochure line.
What is your fee, and what does it cover? Get the structure in writing before you sign.
What out-of-pocket costs am I responsible for, and when? Filing fees, records, and experts add up - ask now.
What is the realistic range of outcomes? A good lawyer gives a range; a weak one promises the high end.
How long will this take? An honest estimate, with the assumptions stated.
What is my deadline, and is it at risk? Many estate planning matters carry hard filing deadlines.
How often will I hear from you? Set the communication cadence now.
What can I do to help my own case? The best lawyers will give you homework.
What is the worst-case outcome? A lawyer who refuses to discuss downside risk is selling you something.
What to bring to your Des Moines consultation
You will get more out of the first call if you arrive organized. For most estate planning matters, gather:
A short written timeline. Dates, names, and what happened, in order.
The key documents. Any contracts, letters, agreements, court orders, or filings you have received.
Your correspondence. Relevant emails, texts, or messages - and do not delete anything.
Any deadlines you know about. A court date, a signing deadline, or an agency notice.
Your questions. The 10 above are a good place to start.
If you are not sure whether something is relevant, bring it anyway. It is easier for a lawyer to set aside what does not matter than to chase down what you left at home.
Talk to a vetted Estate Planning attorney in Des Moines
Tell us about your situation. We'll match you with one of these firms or a similar one. Free, confidential, no obligation.
Frequently asked questions about estate planning lawyers in Des Moines
Do I need a will or a trust in Iowa?
It depends. A will is enough for many families, while a revocable living trust costs more but can pass assets without probate. A good lawyer explains which fits your assets and goals.
How much does an estate plan cost in Des Moines?
A will-based plan commonly runs a few hundred dollars to about $1,500. A revocable living trust package typically runs $1,500 to $4,000 or more, depending on complexity.
What happens if I die without a will in Iowa?
Your estate passes through probate and is distributed under Iowa's intestacy laws, which may not match your wishes. The court also decides matters like guardianship without your input.
What is probate and can I avoid it?
Probate is the court process that settles an estate; in Iowa it is public and takes months. A properly funded living trust can avoid probate for the assets it holds.
What documents should a basic plan include?
Usually a will, a financial power of attorney, and a health-care power of attorney or directive. Many plans add a living will and, where useful, a revocable trust.
How often should I update my plan?
Review it after any major life change, such as a marriage, divorce, birth, death, move to a new state, or a significant change in assets, and otherwise every few years.
One last thing. Choosing a lawyer is personal. Read the reviews. Call two or three firms before you sign. Ask each one: How many matters like mine have you handled in the last three years? The answer tells you a lot. — The LawFirmSquare team
LawFirmSquare is a directory. We do not represent clients or refer cases for a fee.
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