Iowa Estate Planning Lawyers

Attorney Colby M. Lessmann was born and raised in Sioux City, Iowa, and is a graduate of Sioux City North High School. Colby graduated from the University of South Dakota School of Business (B.S., 1996) and School of Law (J.D., 1999). During his law school education, he published a casenote in the South Dakota Law Review (1998) and was both the Managing Editor and the Production Editor for Volume 44 of the South Dakota Law Review (1998-1999). After graduating from Law School, Colby clerked for Justice Robert Amundson of the South Dakota Supreme Court in Pierre, South Dakota. In August...

Jefferson Fink, the founder of The Law Office of Jefferson Fink, is a legal professional with years of experience in the Capitol and in front of the Courts. His academic experience started as a Senate Page, then later at Iowa State as a Senate intern, which allowed him to gain valuable insight into the legislative process. Jefferson's dedication to his education is evident in his simultaneous pursuit of a Master of Arts in Political Science from Iowa State University, writing his thesis - Law, Politics, and the Creation of Public Policy: How the Two Can Come Together and Create Better...

Attorney Dean Fankhauser was raised in Chadron, Nebraska and is the son of former business owners who still reside in Chadron today. After graduating from Chadron State College, Dean studied at The University of South Dakota School of Law and graduated in 2014 with a Juris Doctor. While in law school, Dean had many great experiences, including advancing to the Elite 8 of the Sam Masten Appellate Advocacy Competition and completing an internship at the Federal Public Defender’s office in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Dean moved to the Siouxland Community after law school and shortly began working as an associate attorney....

Brad Biren is an elder law and estate planning attorney with specialized training in tax law. He is passionate about crisis Medicaid planning, special needs planning, and reducing tax liability. Much of his work also focuses on business and land-use consulting for startups, early ventures, and agriculture. Born in New York, Brad attended Cornell University for his undergraduate degrees in both landscape architecture and plant sciences. In 2006, he became the youngest person in the state of Florida to obtain LEED Accreditation. Mr. Biren moved to Iowa to attend the University of Iowa College of...

Ed Cox practices in agricultural law, estate planning, and real estate and handles general practices matters. Prior to private practice Ed worked as staff attorney at the Drake University Agricultural Law Center. He has written several publications on agricultural law issues and has given numerous presentations on the topic across the country. Ed is licensed to practice law in Iowa and Missouri.

Attorney Deborah J. Morris was born and raised in Sioux City, Iowa. She attended college at Morningside College in Sioux City, Iowa where she graduated summa cum laude earning dual Bachelor’s Degrees in Business and Accounting. Deborah graduated With High Honor from the South Dakota School of Law in 2016 and began working in the field of family law. Deborah opened her own firm in 2019 offering both full and limited scope services in family law, as well as estate planning and business formations services. Deborah joined the law firm of Tigges, Bottaro & Lessmann, LLP in January...

Attorney Andrea Buckley grew up in rural Nebraska, living in a number of small towns before landing in Boyd County. She attended the University of Nebraska at Kearney and earned a bachelor’s degree in Spanish Translation and Interpreting. She went on to law school at the University of Nebraska College of Law, graduating in 2007. Andrea’s legal career started at a private law firm in Sioux City before joining Iowa Legal Aid in 2009. There, her practice included consumer rights, landlord/tenant law, guardianships/conservatorships and appellate advocacy. She developed a specialized practice in tax litigation, becoming the managing attorney of the statewide...

Experience Counselor with more than 30 years experience advising clients in stressful and difficult circumstances

CHRISTINE L. CRILLEY is a General Practice Attorney and Collaborative Lawyer with over thirty years of experience in a variety of legal areas such as family law, adoptions, business law, litigation, construction law, probate and wills.

In Addition to her law practice Ms. Crilley is also an accomplished Mediator and Arbitrator as well as a nationally approved Mediation Trainer. She offers basic Mediation training and advance Mediation training as well as Collaborative Law Training, and Parent Coordinator Training. Christine is also a Parenting Coordinator and Parent Coach.

After earning her B.A. degree at the University of Northern Iowa in 1979, Christine...

My name is Scott Shoemaker, and I am your Personal Family Lawyer. I grew up in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. My youth and young adulthood were spent pursuing my dream of becoming a classical musician. I went so far as to earn degrees in music from Coe College, University of Nebraska, and the University of Iowa. I even spent a few years teaching at a couple of different institutions of high education. Along the way, I realized my real passion was helping other people bring about their dreams. So I ended up in law school. While I was a student at Nebraska Law,...

Partner at Cray Law Firm.

Joseph C. Creen has over 30 years experience in the practice of law, litigating cases in Iowa and Illinois state and federal courts and advising clients with personal, business and employment matters, real estate matters, individuals and families for estate planning needs and probate. Mr Creen has a varied and extensive trial practice experience, including personal injury, brain injury, product liability, wrongful death, slip and fall, auto cases, catastrophic injury, as well as contract and construction disputes, estate & probate matters, such as Will contest and undue influence, consumer protection, such as wrongful foreclosure or collections, ...

Lindsey obtained her Juris Doctorate from the University of Nebraska College of Law in 2007. Prior to law school, Lindsey earned her bachelor’s degree in 2004 from the University of Nebraska Wesleyan, graduating with High Distinction on an accelerated three-year program, and played basketball and ran track. Lindsey worked in private practice in the Siouxland area before establishing Buchheit Law, PLC in 2013. After more than a decade as a solo practitioner, Lindsey joined forces with her law partner, John C. “Jack” Ehrich, and established Buchheit & Ehrich Law, PLC on January 1, 2025. Lindsey is licensed to practice law in...

Brett P. Hall is an attorney licensed to practice in Iowa, Nebraska, and the United States District Court, Northern District of Iowa. Mr. Hall is a member of the American Bar Association, the Iowa State Bar Association, the Nebraska State Bar Association, and the Woodbury County Bar Association. He is a graduate of the University of South Dakota, School of Law. Brett lives in Sioux City with his wife and four children. He is active within the community and enjoys participating in local fundraising events, and volunteering with local nonprofit organizations.

DAVID PILLERS is a partner in the law firm of Pillers and Richmond. He received his major in Economics and minor in Business from Valparaiso University, graduating in 1992, and received his law degree from Valparaiso University School of Law, graduating in 1998. Mr. Pillers maintains a general practice but concentrates his practice in the areas of Civil Litigation, Collective Bargaining, Business and Corporate Law, Municipal Law, Real Estate and Estate Planning. He is a member of the Iowa State Bar Association (Member of the Probate and Real Estate Section), Illinois State Bar Association, American Bar Association (Section Member: Motor...

I practice law because I am passionate about helping individuals resolve their issues. I find great satisfaction in working with clients, particularly in resolving disputes and providing them with peace of mind. My work often involves delivering restorative justice to those who have been wronged, as well as assisting individuals who face lawsuits and are unsure of their next steps. For many of my clients, facing legal challenges can be one of the most stressful experiences of their lives, which is why they seek my counsel. I make it a priority to maintain clear communication with my clients, ensuring they...

At Arenson Law Group, PC, you will find forward-thinking, progressive, and open attorneys who work hard with your best interests in mind. At our law firm you will find modern art, sleek brushed aluminum, and lots of light, unlike the traditional law office. Arenson Law Group, PC attorneys handle cases throughout Iowa and focus on practices such as: Business Law, Corporate Law, Family Law, Criminal Law, and Bankruptcy.

My practice primarily deals with estate planning, tax, and corporate formation/governance, though my law firm can help with almost any business need you may have.

I typically deal with individuals, families, and small business owners to (a) protect and arrange themselves during life, (b) provide guidance to loved ones upon their passing, especially for minor children, and (c) transition businesses and wealth from one generation to the next in an organized and tax-efficient manner.

Originally from Fort Dodge, Iowa (north central Iowa), my practice takes me all across the state of Iowa. I'm proud that my family has been providing...

My practice is centered on a philosophy of personalized service. Calls returned, emails answered, and constant awareness of your legal matter's status are just a few of the ways that I strive to make your experience superlative.

Attorney Ryan Ross is a graduate of Doane College (B.S. 1992 with distinction) and Willamette Law School (J.D. 1995). He is admitted to practice law in the United States Federal Court, as well as Iowa, South Dakota, and Nebraska state courts. Ryan handles primarily real estate property matters (such as title opinions, title guarantee, foreclosures, deeds, sales, acquisitions, condominium transactions, purchase agreements, contracts, leases, options, easements, restrictive covenants, construction liens, landlord-tenant, evictions, subdivision, and zoning and board adjustment items), business matters (corporations, nonprofit corporations, limited liability companies, partnerships, acquisitions, sales, mergers, contracts, succession planning, dissolutions, and licensing), and estate planning...

Holding a license to practice law is a privilege that I deeply value and am honored to uphold the responsibilities it entails. The relationships I have cultivated with clients, attorneys, financial experts, realtors, technology professionals, insurance agents, courthouse employees, and others reinforce daily that despite our differences, we share commonalities and ways to connect. I diligently explore all alternatives with my clients, aiming to provide practical advice and solutions that meet their current needs and situations.

Lee M. Rankin is a partner at Willson & Pechacek, PLC, in Council Bluffs, Iowa. Mr. Rankin primarily practices in the areas of taxation, corporate law, estate planning, real estate, and trust and probate administration. He represents clients in Council Bluffs, Pottawattamie County, Monona County and throughout Southwest Iowa and Eastern Nebraska. Lee was born in Omaha, NE and received his BSBA from the University of Nebraska at Omaha in accounting in 1998. He received his Nebraska license as a Certified Public Accounting in 2001. In 2002, Lee returned to school, attending the University of Nebraska College of Law where...

William was born and raised in Northeast Iowa in the town of New Hampton. He has followed both his father’s and his brother’s lead, receiving a degree in both accounting and law. While in law school he participated in many groups and was fortunate enough to be the Treasurer of the Student Bar Association and the Managing Editor of the Drake Journal of Agricultural Law.

William practices out of the Marion office of Pearson Bollman Law. His practice focuses on estate planning, elder law, probate/trust administration, and taxation.

I am a licensed Attorney, certified Mediator and certified Collaborative Law Attorney in the State of Iowa and am passionate about providing quality client service through competency, communication and compassion. I am a part of the general practice firm, Nelson Law Firm, PLLC, where I provide legal services at our main office in Waterloo, Iowa and branch office in Grundy Center, Iowa. My practice areas include but are not limited to, business law, real estate, mediation, family law, including collaborative family law, creditors' rights law (including subrogation, collections and foreclosure), estate planning, probate, guardian/conservator law, and guardian ad litem services....

Josh is an Iowa native and grew up on a farm outside Sac City, Iowa. He attended Drake University, where he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science, with honors. In 2014, Josh received a Juris Doctorate with honors from Drake University Law School. Josh was admitted to the Iowa State Bar and United States District Court, Southern and Northern Federal Districts of Iowa, in 2014. Josh serves on both the Board of Governors and Defense Update Board of Editors for the Iowa Defense Counsel Association. In 2018, Josh was awarded the Iowa Defense Counsel Association’s Rising Star Award....

Voted best law firm in Des Moines - recipient of 'Top 40 Lawyer Under 40' and 'Super Lawyer' awards. Ben Lynch graduated w/ honors from Drake Law School & offers free consultations on employment, personal injury, work comp, family, criminal, & civil rights cases. Read our 500+ Google reviews (5.0 rating) to learn how we put clients first & obtain results. We've collected millions of dollars for hundreds of clients.

Sam practices primarily in Estate Planning (including wills and trusts), probate law, succession planning and business law. In addition to being a lawyer, he is also a certified public accountant. Sam received his undergraduate degree in Business Administration-Accounting from the University of Southern California (U.S.C.) in 1978, and his Juris Doctorate at Drake University in 1981. Sam is licensed to practice law in all courts within Iowa, as well as the following Federal Courts: Northern and Southern District of Iowa, Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals, and the United States Tax Court. Sam is a member of the...

Gary has been working with individuals and families to help with their estate and tax planning for almost thirty years. He has a robust tax practice, preparing both individual and fiduciary returns. With this background, he also advises his clients on their estate planning, bringing his areas of expertise together to draft comprehensive plans that accomplish their goals. Gary also facilitates trust and estate administration, and so further helps families carry out their plans. In his career, Gary has worked with multiple generations, providing guidance and counsel on issues relating to finances, taxes, wealth transfer, and almost everything in between.

Originally...

Kimberly (Schroeder) Kuchel is an associate attorney at Bauerly & Langel P.L.C. She went to Morningside College to obtain her undergraduate degree in business administration. She graduated with her law degree from the University of St. Thomas in 2018 and upon graduation, worked for Corbett Anderson Law Firm in Sioux City, Iowa. In November 2019, she began working for Bauerly & Langel PLC. She is also licensed in South Dakota and Nebraska.

Mark was born on a farm in Wright County, Iowa and currently raises cattle and grapes, he owns a local winery called 99 Bottles Winery near Garner, Iowa.

Mark raised his family in rural Iowa and loves the country. Mark was an Auctioneer for many years and still sells farmland at Auction when his clients want him to do that.

Mark sold over 30 Million Dollars worth of Farm Land in the recent years in North Central Iowa and Southern Minnesota.

Contact Newman Thompson & Gray, for all of your legal needs!

Dave Patton has practiced law for over 35 years, initially in private practice in a suburban law firm in Des Moines, Iowa; then as staff attorney for a small state agency (the Iowa Governor’s Office of Planning and Programming), followed by a move to Richmond, Virginia, where he became a partner in a boutique law firm engaged in business and environmental litigation almost exclusively in federal courts, before returning to his hometown to raise his four boys and engage in the general practice of law, limited to marital, custody, and property disputes, estate and probate matters, real estate and business...

Tom was born and raised in Iowa City. He received his BA degree from Harvard University in 1975 and then returned home to attend the University of Iowa College of Law. After completing law school in 1978, Tom joined the law firm where he has been a partner since 1983. Tom represents individuals, businesses and tax-exempt organizations on a variety of legal matters principally in areas of business and transactional law, including contracts, real estate, business and non-profit entities, estate and gift planning, administration of trusts and estates, healthcare, and charitable foundations. In addition to his legal practice, Tom has...

Dean grew up on a grain and livestock farm near Iowa City, passed the Certified Public Accountant exam, and focuses on pre-death estate planning and post-death trust/estate administration. His practice includes (i) establishing revocable (living) trusts to avoid probate and facilitate privacy, (ii) creating wills, trusts and retirement-account beneficiary designations with customized provisions to accomplish family-specific goals, such as delaying inheritances for immature beneficiaries, (iii) implementing powers of attorney for finances and for healthcare/medical directives (living wills), and (iv) administering probate estates and trusts and filing the necessary tax returns.

A northeast Iowa native, Thad grew up on a small farm on the outskirts of West Union, Iowa. After graduating from the University of Iowa College of law, he practiced for three years in Davenport, Iowa and has practiced since 2003 in Dubuque, Iowa. He has also maintained an office in Davenport since 2007. Currently practicing out of the Pioneer Law branch in Dubuque, Thad focuses on estate planning, elder law, Social Security disability and veterans disability. When not spending time with his wife and two daughters, Thad enjoys speaking with other attorneys and professional groups. In the past Thad...

Fellow, American College of Trial Lawyers (top 1%) Past President, Iowa State Bar Association Past President, Iowa Academy of Trial Lawyers (250) Past V.P., Iowa Association for Justice (f.k.a. Iowa Trial Lawyers) Founding Board of Directors, American Academy of ADR Attorneys Past Chair, Iowa Supreme Court Grievance Commission Past Member, Iowa Supreme Court Nominating Commission Top Great Plains SuperLawyers (top 5%) Board of Directors, Iowa Defense Counsel Association Board of Directors, Iowa Law School Foundation AVVO rating 10/10