★ 4.5 (63 reviews) ·
373 Scott Ct Ste B, Iowa City, IA 52244, USA
★ 4.2 (58 reviews) ·
Eastdale Plaza, 1700 S 1st Ave Unit 11, Iowa City, IA 52240, USA
3. Phelan Tucker Law LLP Estate Planning Attorney
★ 4.3 (24 reviews) ·
321 E Market St, Iowa City, IA 52245, USA
4. Neuzil Sanderson & Sigafoose Pc Estate Planning Attorney
★ 5.0 (14 reviews) ·
119 Wright St, Iowa City, IA 52240, USA
5. Brenneman, Detweiler & Goertz, LLP Estate Planning Attorney
★ 4.6 (10 reviews) ·
330 E Court St, Iowa City, IA 52240, USA
6. YouLaw PLC, a division of Arnott & Kirk, PLLC - Attorneys At Law Estate Planning Attorney
★ 4.9 (7 reviews) ·
209 E Washington St #304, Iowa City, IA 52240, USA
7. Julian West, Attorney at Law Estate Planning Attorney
★ 5.0 (5 reviews) ·
308 E Burlington St #184, Iowa City, IA 52240, USA
8. Larson & Evenson Law Firm Estate Planning Attorney
★ 5.0 (5 reviews) ·
250 E Court St, Iowa City, IA 52240, USA
9. Kennedy Law Firm Estate Planning Attorney
★ 4.5 (8 reviews) ·
920 S Dubuque St, Iowa City, IA 52240, USA
10. Hayek, Moreland, & Smith, LLP Estate Planning Attorney
★ 4.8 (5 reviews) ·
120 E Washington St, Iowa City, IA 52240, USA
11. Herbold Law, PC Estate Planning Attorney
★ 5.0 (4 reviews) ·
1310 Melrose Ave, Iowa City, IA 52246, USA
12. Bribriesco Law Firm Estate Planning Attorney
★ 5.0 (4 reviews) ·
1700 S 1st Ave Ste 26, Iowa City, IA 52240, USA
13. Anderson & Houghton Law Office Estate Planning Attorney
★ 5.0 (2 reviews) ·
568 Hwy 1 W, Iowa City, IA 52246, USA
14. Astraea Legal LLC Estate Planning Attorney
★ 5.0 (2 reviews) ·
518 S Clinton St, Iowa City, IA 52240, USA
15. Leff Law Firm Estate Planning Attorney
★ 3.3 (24 reviews) ·
222 S Linn St, Iowa City, IA 52240, USA
16. Bray & Klockau PLC Estate Planning Attorney
★ 3.4 (21 reviews) ·
402 S Linn St, Iowa City, IA 52240, USA
17. Leon F. Spies, Attorney at Law Estate Planning Attorney
★ 3.0 (8 reviews) ·
312 E College St Ste 216, Iowa City, IA 52240, USA
18. Mears Law Office Estate Planning Attorney
★ 5.0 (12 reviews) ·
209 E Washington St Ste 207, Iowa City, IA 52240, USA
19. Moore and Egerton Law Estate Planning Attorney
★ 5.0 (3 reviews) ·
320 Kirkwood Ave, Iowa City, IA 52240, USA
20. Hamer Law Office Estate Planning Attorney
★ 3.7 (3 reviews) ·
2710 N Dodge St, Iowa City, IA 52245, USA
21. Strayer Law Office Estate Planning Attorney
233 Scott Ct
Estate planning attorneys in Iowa City, IA: a local guide
We currently track 21 estate planning, elder law, and probate attorneys serving Iowa City, IA in Johnson County. Across the ones with public reviews, the average customer rating is 4.5★ from 282 total reviews, and 14 hold a 4.5★ rating or higher. Fitzgerald, Klesner, & Pavelich, PLC is among the most-reviewed locally, at 4.5★ across 63 reviews.
What estate planning costs in Iowa City
Rough planning ranges for the Iowa City 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 Iowa City 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 Iowa City
- Read reviews and ask for references from recent Iowa City estate clients.
- Pick a lawyer who focuses on estate planning and probate, not a generalist who dabbles.
- Confirm they're licensed and in good standing with the state bar, and ask how long they've practiced near Iowa City.
- 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.
Questions to ask before you hire
- How do updates work as laws or my family change?
- Who will handle my file day to day?
- What's the realistic timeline for my Iowa City matter?
- Is this a flat fee or hourly, and what exactly does it cover?
- Do you focus on estate planning and probate specifically?
Many Iowa City 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 Iowa City?
Many Iowa City 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 Iowa City 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 Iowa City-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 Iowa City firms handle both.
Estate & elder law attorneys in Iowa City: what to know
How much does an estate planning attorney cost in Iowa City?
In the Iowa City 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 Iowa City area.
Wills & TrustsLiving TrustsProbatePowers of AttorneyMedicaid PlanningGuardianshipSpecial Needs PlanningEstate Administration