1. Berry Law Estate Planning Attorney
★ 5.0 (577 reviews) ·
215 S Main St Ste. 206, Council Bluffs, IA 51503, USA
★ 4.8 (133 reviews) ·
233 Pearl St, Council Bluffs, IA 51503, USA
★ 4.1 (145 reviews) ·
20 N 16th St, Council Bluffs, IA 51501, USA
★ 4.8 (54 reviews) ·
221 S Main St, Council Bluffs, IA 51503, USA
5. Narmi J Joseph Estate Planning Attorney
★ 4.9 (33 reviews) ·
535 W Broadway #202, Council Bluffs, IA 51503, USA
6. Amanda Heims Law Estate Planning Attorney
★ 4.3 (33 reviews) ·
607 S Main St, Council Bluffs, IA 51503, USA
7. Michael J. Winter, Attorney at Law Estate Planning Attorney
★ 4.4 (32 reviews) ·
541 6th Ave, Council Bluffs, IA 51503, USA
8. Kyle E. Focht Estate Planning Attorney
★ 4.8 (27 reviews) ·
20 N 16th St, Council Bluffs, IA 51501, USA
9. Savage Law Estate Planning Attorney
★ 4.8 (26 reviews) ·
606 S Main St, Council Bluffs, IA 51503, USA
10. Stuart Tinley Law Firm LLP Estate Planning Attorney
★ 4.8 (20 reviews) ·
300 W Broadway Ste 175, Council Bluffs, IA 51503, USA
11. Telpner Peterson Law Firm, LLP Estate Planning Attorney
★ 4.4 (19 reviews) ·
25 Main Place Office Bldg #200, Council Bluffs, IA 51503, USA
12. Watson & Ryan, PLC Estate Planning Attorney
★ 4.4 (17 reviews) ·
535 W Broadway #200, Council Bluffs, IA 51503, USA
13. Kale B. Rogers, Attorney Estate Planning Attorney
★ 5.0 (9 reviews) ·
Peters Law Firm, 233 Pearl St, Council Bluffs, IA 51503, USA
14. Petersen Law Estate Planning Attorney
★ 4.2 (10 reviews) ·
215 S Main St #301, Council Bluffs, IA 51503, USA
15. Law Office of Bradford Davis Estate Planning Attorney
★ 4.6 (9 reviews) ·
421 W Broadway #306, Council Bluffs, IA 51503, USA
16. Thorson Law Office Estate Planning Attorney
★ 4.6 (5 reviews) ·
223 S Main St, Council Bluffs, IA 51503, USA
17. Evans & Dixon, PLLC Estate Planning Attorney
★ 5.0 (2 reviews) ·
133 W Broadway, Council Bluffs, IA 51503, USA
18. Meldrum & Benson Law, P.C. Estate Planning Attorney
★ 3.1 (27 reviews) ·
10 S 4th St, Council Bluffs, IA 51503, USA
19. Simpson Legal Group, LLC Estate Planning Attorney
★ 4.2 (6 reviews) ·
50 Northcrest Dr, Council Bluffs, IA 51503, USA
20. Willson & Pechacek PLC: Pechacek, Jr. Frank W. Estate Planning Attorney
★ 4.0 (4 reviews) ·
421 W Broadway #200, Council Bluffs, IA 51503, USA
21. Estwick Law Estate Planning Attorney
★ 3.5 (2 reviews) ·
607 S Main St Ste 300, Council Bluffs, IA 51503, USA
22. Jay W. Mez, Attorney At Law Estate Planning Attorney
★ 4.7 (39 reviews) ·
300 W Broadway Ste 3, Council Bluffs, IA 51503, USA
23. Bergantzel Law Offices Estate Planning Attorney
★ 4.8 (5 reviews) ·
421 W Broadway #302, Council Bluffs, IA 51503, USA
24. Jennings Law Firm Estate Planning Attorney
★ 3.6 (14 reviews) ·
523 6th Ave, Council Bluffs, IA 51503, USA
Estate planning attorneys in Council Bluffs, IA: a local guide
We currently track 24 estate planning, elder law, and probate attorneys serving Council Bluffs, IA in Pottawattamie County. Across the ones with public reviews, the average customer rating is 4.4★ from 1,248 total reviews, and 13 hold a 4.5★ rating or higher. Berry Law is among the most-reviewed locally, at 5.0★ across 577 reviews.
What estate planning costs in Council Bluffs
Rough planning ranges for the Council Bluffs area:
| Service | Typical range |
|---|
| Simple will package | $300–$1,200 |
| Revocable living trust package | $1,500–$4,000 |
| Full estate plan or probate work | $3,000–$8,000+ |
Many Council Bluffs estate attorneys quote flat fees for wills and trusts and bill hourly (often $250-$500/hr) for probate. Ask for a written fee agreement before you engage.
How to choose an estate attorney in Council Bluffs
- Ask whether wills and trusts are flat-fee and what that covers (funding the trust, revisions, directives).
- Ask who actually does the work — the attorney, a paralegal, or a form service — and who you'll call with questions.
- For probate, ask about the realistic timeline and total cost for a Council Bluffs-area estate before you engage.
- Make sure they'll keep your plan current as laws and your family change, and how updates are billed.
- Read reviews and ask for references from recent Council Bluffs estate clients.
Questions to ask before you hire
- Is this a flat fee or hourly, and what exactly does it cover?
- Do you focus on estate planning and probate specifically?
- Will you help fund the trust and store the documents?
- How do updates work as laws or my family change?
- Who will handle my file day to day?
Many Council Bluffs listings also handle wills, trusts, powers of attorney, healthcare directives, and probate administration.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a will or living trust cost in Council Bluffs?
Many Council Bluffs estate attorneys charge flat fees, roughly $300 to $1,200 for a simple will package and $1,500 to $4,000 for a revocable living trust. Probate work is often billed hourly. Ask for a written fee agreement up front.
Do I need a will or a living trust?
It depends on your assets and goals. A will is simpler and cheaper; a living trust can avoid probate and keep matters private. A short consultation with a Council Bluffs estate attorney will tell you which fits.
How much does probate cost and how long does it take?
Probate cost and timeline vary by estate and county. Simple Council Bluffs-area estates can take several months, while complex ones run over a year. Ask the attorney for a realistic estimate for your situation.
What is the difference between estate planning and elder law?
Estate planning focuses on wills, trusts, and passing on assets; elder law also covers long-term care, Medicaid planning, and guardianship. Many Council Bluffs firms handle both.
Estate & elder law attorneys in Council Bluffs: what to know
How much does an estate planning attorney cost in Council Bluffs?
In the Council Bluffs area, simple wills often run $300–$1,200 and living trust packages $1,500–$4,000; probate and elder law work is commonly billed hourly at $250–$500. Most firms above offer a free or low-cost initial consultation — talk to two or three.
Estate planning vs. elder law vs. probate — which do I need?
Estate planning covers wills, trusts, and powers of attorney while you're healthy. Elder law adds Medicaid planning, guardianship, and long-term-care protection. Probate is the court process after a death — probate attorneys guide executors through estate administration.
What else do these firms handle?
Many attorneys above also handle special needs planning, asset protection, beneficiary disputes, estate tax planning, and real estate transfers in the Council Bluffs area.
Wills & TrustsLiving TrustsProbatePowers of AttorneyMedicaid PlanningGuardianshipSpecial Needs PlanningEstate Administration