Estate Planning

As a premier estate planning and elder law firm in Iowa, we make it our goal to help you plan for everything you own and everyone you love. Reach out to us today to get the planning process started.

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Estate Planning Lawyers in West Des Moines

Providing a Legacy for You and Your Family

Many people believe they don’t need estate planning such as wills and trusts because they think they don’t have an estate. They may also think the value of their estate is not great enough to cause estate taxation, so what’s the point?

With very few exceptions, everyone has an estate. Whether you’re talking about the young child with a custodial account in his name or the granddaughter who received a lovely piece of jewelry for her 16th birthday, these both have an estate.

The bottom line is if you own something of value that you would like to pass on to someone else upon your death, you have an estate. Whether you know it or not, you also have an estate plan. The state has one for you free of charge (that you may not like) if you do not write your own will.

Broadly speaking, an estate plan (either a will-based estate plan or a trust-based estate plan) encompasses the accumulation, conservation, and distribution of an estate. A good estate plan will enhance and maintain the financial security of individuals and their families.

At Pearson Bollman Law, we are here to help individuals establish an estate plan that suits their unique needs. Call us at (515) 298-8850 to schedule a consultation with our West Des Moines estate planning attorneys.

Designing an Estate Plan

Designing an estate plan is a process. At Pearson Bollman Law, we will ask you a lot of questions. Below are just some of the questions we go through to assist us in designing an estate plan (either will-based or trust-based) that meets your goals.

  • Do you want to provide for and protect your spouse?
  • Do you want to provide for and protect your children?
  • Do you want to avoid probate?
  • Do you have a family business or farm you want to leave your children?
  • Do you want to protect your assets from lawsuits or creditors?
  • Do you want to protect your children’s inheritance from the possibility of failed marriages?
  • Do you want to ensure your death shall not be unnecessarily prolonged by artificial means or other measures?

Estate Planning Documents

Some of the documents we utilize to implement your estate plan are as follows:

  • Will: This legal document outlines who will manage the probate process for you, how your belongings will be distributed, and, if applicable, who you want to be nominated guardian of your minor children or other disabled family members after you die. If you die without a will, the state makes these decisions—often at an added cost to those you love most.
  • Trust: This legal document is generally an alternative to a will. The primary purpose to use a revocable trust instead of a will is to avoid probate.
  • Financial power of attorney: This delegates the power to someone you name to legally handle your financial affairs should you become disabled or incapacitated. Without this, no one may be able to access your bank account, securities, or any other property in your name without lengthy legal proceedings.
  • Healthcare power of attorney: A healthcare power of attorney names a spouse or trusted relative to make health care decisions for you in case you are physically or mentally incapable of doing so on your own.
  • Living will: A living will informs medical personnel that you do not want certain life-sustaining procedures if you are in a terminal condition (which includes a persistent vegetative state and a coma) and unable to decide for yourself. It is important to inform your physician of your desire to deny any medical procedures, treatments, or interventions that use mechanical or artificial means to sustain, restore or supplant a spontaneous vital function and would serve only to prolong the dying process.

Contact one of our estate planning attorneys in West Des Moines to learn more about your estate planning options.

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What Makes Us Different
  • Experience

    With decades of experience between our attorneys and staff in estate planning and elder law, we are a premier Iowa law firm that has the skills you need in your corner.

  • Accessibility

    With 5 offices located throughout the state of Iowa, you will always have access to our team when you have questions or concerns about your case.

  • Fixed Fees

    We not only provide free initial consultations for our planning services, but most matters have fixed fees so you understand exactly what you get and how much it costs from the very beginning.

  • Skill

    When it comes to estate planning, we have a well-defined process that is tried and true, working well for thousands of clients in the past.

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