Expertise.com
2024

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Best Probate Lawyers in Des Moines

Our Recommended Top 19

We did the research for you!

  • Licensing
  • User Reviews
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Our goal is to connect people with the best local professionals. We scored Des Moines Probate Lawyers on more than 25 variables across five categories, and analyzed the results to give you a hand-picked list of the best.

60

Reviewed

43

Curated

19

Top Picks

Learn about our selection process.

Providers

featured provider = Featured Provider

Website
6500 University Avenue, Windsor Heights, IA 50324

Why choose this provider?

Hope Wood JD is a law firm that serves clients in the Des Moines area. It assists with probate administration, which is the court-supervised process of distributing a deceased person's assets. This includes managing disputes among beneficiaries and settling claims against the estate. The firm also offers estate planning services like drafting wills and setting powers of attorney. Lead counsel Hope Wood has been practicing since 2012 and is a member of the Iowa Organization of Women Attorneys.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Hope Wood - Principal11 yrs

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Avvo
5.0 / 5 (43)
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (11)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
3.8
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
––

Website
2801 Hubbell Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50317
  • Estate Planning

Why choose this provider?

Balduchi Law Office, PC assists Des Moines residents with probate law issues. The firm assists in creating estate plans to protect a decedent's assets for the benefit of his or her family and heirs. The office handles probate cases and facilitates the transfer of inheritable assets as specified in a will. It also handles family law issues such as divorce and child custody disputes. Counsel Kent Balduchi has been a lawyer since 1996, specializing in personal injury law.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
974 73rd St Suite 8, West Des Moines, IA 50265
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Why choose this provider?

Oliver Law Firm, headquartered in West Des Moines, is a multi-practice office that helps individuals and families administer wills and trusts in the metro. Owner Mike Oliver and his staff assist in developing estate plans, which help their clients preserve and transfer wealth to their beneficiaries. He is also a certified family mediator who negotiates with concerned parties about custody agreements and divorce. Oliver has been a practicing attorney for more than 25 years.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.8
Google
4.7 / 5 (3)
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (2)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
303 Locust Street 400 Homestead Building, Des Moines, IA 50309

Why choose this provider?

Carney Appleby Law is a Des Moines-based firm that lends its expertise to clients in probate, real estate, family, and personal injury. Its attorneys handle probate matters, including probate administration, guardianship, conservatorship, and guardian ad litem concerns. The firm's team also assists clients with their wills. trusts, deeds, and business entity needs. Its founding partner, James W. Carney, currently serves as the Iowa State Bar Association president. He received the Award of Merit by the ISBA in 2007.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
James Carney - Founding Partner49 yrs

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.7
Google
5.0 / 5 (7)
Avvo
5.0 / 5 (3)
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (2)

(+1 additional source)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
3.8
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
––

Website
1454 30th Street Suite 202, West Des Moines, IA 50266
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Why choose this provider?

Hendricks Law provides legal representation for clients in Des Moines and the neighboring areas. The firm handles matters involving probate, including the detailed analyses of assets and strategies, drafting wills and appropriate trusts, and setting up living wills and durable powers of attorney for both medical and financial decisions. Its additional practice areas include foreclosure and real estate and title closing. Managing member Charles W. Hendricks holds over two decades of legal experience.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.6
Google
4.6 / 5 (9)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
700 2nd Ave, Des Moines, IA 50309
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Why choose this provider?

Elverson Vasey serves the locals of Des Moines and the surrounding areas. The firm provides support in probate, estate administration, and other legal matters concerning end-of-life planning. Its attorneys have experience in handling will creation, drafting living trusts, mitigating or avoiding estate taxes, and determining beneficiary designations. Jon A. Vasey, one of the firm's founders, has been in the field since 1983. He uses his skills as a mediator in a variety of civil law matters.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.3
Google
4.3 / 5 (17)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
10430 New York Ave, Urbandale, IA 50322
  • Estate Planning

Why choose this provider?

The Henrichsen Law Office serves Des Moines-based families who are navigating probate court matters. Founding attorney P.A. Henrichsen uses his knowledge as a Certified Public Accountant to help clients identify, organize, and distribute assets in accordance with local probate law. He also guides those who seek to prepare for a loved one's passing or incapacitation using comprehensive estate planning documents. He has served as an attorney-adviser for the Iowa State Bar Review School, Inc., and as a member of its Board of Directors.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Google
5.0 / 5 (4)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
3.8
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
––

Website
4685 Merle Hay Rd. Ste. 105, Des Moines, IA 50310

Why choose this provider?

Patrick H. Payton & Associates P.C. offers legal assistance and representation in matters of probate law to the locals of Des Moines. It helps clients preserve, administer, or transfer wealth through the probate process by establishing and administering trusts, and representing executors, trustees, guardians, and conservators before the court. It also handles disputed proceedings, including will and trust contests. Payton, the owner, has been practicing for almost 50 years and is a criminal justice act panel attorney.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Patrick Payton - Owner53 yrs

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.5

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
8187 University Blvd, Clive, IA 50325
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Why choose this provider?

Engel & Maharry is a full-service law firm serving clients in Des Moines. One of the company's practice areas is probate law, in which it helps families navigate the complex legal process. The firm's principal lawyers, Ted Engel and Rod Maharry, provide legal advice and representation on trust, estate, and probate administration. The two attorneys also assist clients in the creation of estate planning documents, including simple wills and complex trusts. Engel has been practicing law since 1990. He and Maharry began practicing probate in 2011.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.5
Google
4.5 / 5 (12)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
3.8
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
––

Website
535 Main Street, Ames, IA 50010
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning
  • Living Trust
  • Estate Taxes
  • Trust Administration
  • Probate Litigation
  • Estate Settlement

Why choose this provider?

Payer, Hunziker, Rhodes, & Peters LLP is a full-service legal firm representing clients in the Des Moines area. Its attorneys use their experience and knowledge to assist fiduciaries with probate matters, such as filing the required documents, inventorying assets, paying all debts, completing the final tax returns, and distributing assets. The firm also represents the estate in will contests. Payer, Hunziker, Rhodes, & Peters LLP also handle criminal, family, and personal injury law.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Patrick Peters - Partner40 yrs

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Google
5.0 / 5 (4)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
3.3
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
––

Website
700 Walnut Street, Des Moines, IA 50309
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning
  • Living Trust
  • Estate Taxes
  • Trust Administration
  • Probate Litigation

Why choose this provider?

Nyemaster Goode PC is managed by probate attorneys near Des Moines who work to resolve cases of estates with missing or contested wills, debts, or other concerns. It provides wealth transfer services, which involve asset collection and management as well as transfer to beneficiaries on behalf of the estate. Nyemaster Goode PC does wealth and estate planning work so that clients can prepare trusts, wills, and tax payments in order to help descendants avoid probate.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Frank Harty - Shareholder/Director40 yrs

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.2
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (3)
Google
3.0 / 5 (2)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
2.8
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
––

Website
4201 Westown Parkway, Suite 250, West Des Moines, IA 50266
  • Estate Planning

Why choose this provider?

Wasker, Dorr, Wimmer & Marcouiller, P.C., addresses the legal needs of individuals in Des Moines. It offers legal counsel and representation in different aspects of probate law. The law firm performs trust, estate, conservatorship, and guardianship administration. Its team also prepares wills and estate planning documents. Additionally, it takes on business, real estate, and public utility law matters. President and managing shareholder Fred Dorr is a member of the Iowa Academy of Trial Lawyers and the Iowa Defense Counsel Association.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Fred Dorr - President and Managing Shareholder48 yrs

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.6
Google
4.6 / 5 (103)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
303 Locust Street, Suite 300, Des Moines, IA 50309

Why choose this provider?

Based in Des Moines, Hartung Schroeder Law Firm provides assistance to clients who need help in probating an estate. It guides clients through each step of the legal process, from filing probate petitions to handling estate disputes. It also provides its legal expertise in other probate-related aspects, such as trust administration, breach of fiduciary duties, and will contests. Managing partner J.D. Hartung is a member of C. Edwin Moore Inn of Courts and Polk County Bar Association.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Google
5.0 / 5 (8)
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (6)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
2560 - 73rd Street, Des Moines, IA 50322
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Why choose this provider?

Abendroth Russell Barnett Law Firm has been serving individuals and families in and around Des Moines since 1987. It offers client-focused services, including providing advice, guidance, and representation in the area of probate and estate administration. The firm also handles cases involving wills, trusts, guardianships, Social Security disability, and landlord and tenant disputes. Its managing partner, Ross F. Barnett, focuses on estate planning and probate. He is a member of the Central Iowa Senior Education Network.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Ross Barnett - Managing Partner29 yrs

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.7
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (30)
Google
4.3 / 5 (21)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
500 East Court Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50309
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning
  • Trust Administration

Why choose this provider?

Founded in 1971, Grefe & Sidney PLC is a general law firm handling legal matters in Des Moines and the surrounding area. Its attorneys have experience representing executors and administrators in probate matters. They walk clients through the proceedings, including filing the will with the appropriate courthouse, paying creditors, transferring real estate, preparing the final tax returns, and distributing the remaining assets to beneficiaries. It also handles labor and employment, business, white-collar criminal, and tax law cases.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Heather Timmins - Partner11 yrs
Anita Miller - Partner22 yrs

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Google
5.0 / 5 (9)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
2900 100 Street Suite 207, Urbandale, IA 50322
  • Estate Planning
  • Probate

Why choose this provider?

The Gardner Law Firm, P.C., handles estate planning, probate, and probate litigation. It assists families and individuals in preparing estate planning documents, such as wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and advance directives. The firm also offers guidance in guardianship or conservatorship proceedings. In cases when the will is contested, the firm's lawyers represent clients in proceedings to resolve the dispute. One of the team's attorneys, Matthew Gardner, is an American College of Trust and Estate Counsel fellow.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.6
Google
5.0 / 5 (5)
Avvo
4.0 / 5 (4)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
4508 Fleur Drive, Des Moines, IA 50321

Why choose this provider?

McCormally and Cosgrove PLLC is a general practice firm in Des Moines that offers probate and trust administration services. Its team of attorneys also helps clients with matters concerning general powers of attorney, medical directives, and charitable planning. Additionally, they assist those who need to obtain conservatorship or guardianship for loved ones. Maureen Cosgrove, one of the firm's partners, received her Juris Doctor in 2009. In 2020, she spoke about the preparation and filing of probate inventory at the NBI Institute.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Maureen Cosgrove - Partner15 yrs
Shayla McCormally - Partner, Founding Attorney16 yrs

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.2

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
3.3
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
––

Website
2700 Westown Parkway, Suite 310, West Des Moines, IA 50266

Why choose this provider?

Beatty & Miller, P.C., is a full-service law firm that has been providing services to clients in Des Moines since 1985. Its team of probate lawyers handles probate mediation, estate planning, drafting of trusts and wills, and administration of trusts. They also provide legal advice to their clients in elder law, tax law, non-probate administration, and corporate law. The firm knows the importance of the attorney-client relationship and makes sure that it handles each case from start to finish. Partners James D. Beatty and Ned P. Miller have decades of experience in the legal profession.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
James Beatty - Shareholder40 yrs

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.0
Yelp
4.0 / 5 (35)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
3.8
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
––

Website
400 Locust Street Suite 400, Des Moines, IA 50309
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Why choose this provider?

Simpson Jensen Abels Fischer Bouslog serves the communities of the Des Moines metro and the rest of Iowa. The firm caters to clients who need legal assistance and representation in matters of probate. It offers solutions that preserve, manage, or transfer personal or family assets. Clients are also welcome to inquire about tax liabilities, living wills, drafting trust agreements, and durable powers of attorney. D. Scott Simpson, one of the shareholders who handles probate cases, has been in service since 1993.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.5
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (11)
Google
3.8 / 5 (10)
Yelp
5.0 / 5 (1)

(+1 additional source)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Disclaimer:  Consumers utilizing Expertise.com are free to communicate and contract with any lawyer they choose. Expertise.com is not involved in the confidential attorney-client relationship. Featured lawyers pay a reasonable advertising cost to market their legal services withExpertise.com and must meet similar selection criteria as other lawyers. All cases are different. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the non-emergency contact number for the local police station in Des Moines, Iowa?

    To reach the local police station in Des Moines for a non-emergency situation, call 515-283-4811.

  • What is the benefit of getting a will in Des Moines?

    Having a will in Des Moines provides essential benefits. It allows you to control how your assets are distributed, appoint guardians and trustees for your children, minimize tax implications, and protect the interests of your loved ones. Overall, creating a will empowers you to make crucial decisions and protect your interests and those of your loved ones.

  • Why do properties have to undergo probate in Des Moines after you pass away?

    When you pass away, your property goes through the probate process in Des Moines, which a court supervises. Probate ensures that the interests of heirs and creditors are protected and facilitates timely property transfer. Whether or not you have a will, if you own land, your assets must undergo probate. The court determines the validity of your will or, in case there is none, decides who will inherit your property.

  • What is the process of creating a will in Des Moines?

    You need to follow a thorough process to create a valid will in Des Moines. First, write and sign the will, or have someone sign under your direction. Have two competent witnesses present to witness the declaration of your will and sign it in each other's presence. Consulting an attorney can also ensure validity and proper estate distribution, albeit optional.

  • Do you still have to undergo probate in Des Moines even if there is a will?

    Yes. Even in the presence of a will, you may still need to go through probate in Des Moines, depending on the type and ownership of assets involved. For instance, stocks owned without a transfer-on-death designation would necessitate probate. However, consulting with an attorney and employing estate planning strategies, such as establishing a revocable trust, can help avoid probate for certain assets.

  • What does estate planning entail in Des Moines?

    Estate planning in Des Moines involves creating a strategy to align your assets and goals for the future. Having an estate plan ensures that your wishes are followed and avoids complications that may arise during probate. It provides you full control of your assets and how your estate will be distributed.

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