★ 4.7 (181 reviews) ·
1415 28th St #160, West Des Moines, IA 50266, USA
★ 4.5 (142 reviews) ·
4201 Westown Pkwy #250, West Des Moines, IA 50266, USA
★ 4.8 (101 reviews) ·
7155 Lake Dr Ste 200, West Des Moines, IA 50266, USA
★ 4.4 (67 reviews) ·
5015 Grand Ridge Dr Unit 100, West Des Moines, IA 50265, USA
★ 4.1 (48 reviews) ·
1701 48th St #100, West Des Moines, IA 50266, USA
6. Connolly Law Firm, PLLC Estate Planning Attorney
★ 4.6 (30 reviews) ·
5550 Wild Rose Ln #400, West Des Moines, IA 50266, USA
7. McCormick & Associates, P.C. Estate Planning Attorney
★ 2.8 (56 reviews) ·
808 13th St, West Des Moines, IA 50265, USA
8. Neighborhood Law Group of Iowa, P.C. Estate Planning Attorney
★ 4.0 (30 reviews) ·
1601 W Lakes Pkwy Ste 210, West Des Moines, IA 50266, USA
9. Brick Gentry P.C. Estate Planning Attorney
★ 4.2 (26 reviews) ·
6701 Westown Pkwy #100, West Des Moines, IA 50266, USA
10. Allied Legal, PLLC Estate Planning Attorney
★ 4.6 (22 reviews) ·
6150 Village View Dr #100, West Des Moines, IA 50266, USA
11. Hutchinson Law Firm, PLC Estate Planning Attorney
★ 5.0 (19 reviews) ·
4090 Westown Pkwy Ste 102, West Des Moines, IA 50266, USA
12. Witherwax Law PC Estate Planning Attorney
★ 4.2 (21 reviews) ·
6205 Mills Civic Pkwy Ste 201, West Des Moines, IA 50266, USA
13. Wilson Deege Despotovich Riemenschneider & Rittgers PLC Estate Planning Attorney
★ 5.0 (11 reviews) ·
4200 University Ave Ste 424, West Des Moines, IA 50266, USA
14. Law Offices Of Charles W. Hendricks Estate Planning Attorney
★ 4.2 (15 reviews) ·
1454 30th St Ste 202, West Des Moines, IA 50266, USA
15. Howes & Anderson, P.C. Estate Planning Attorney
★ 4.9 (7 reviews) ·
4401 Westown Pkwy #302, West Des Moines, IA 50266, USA
16. Hagenow Gustoff Karas & Ridgway LLP Estate Planning Attorney
★ 5.0 (5 reviews) ·
4401 Westown Pkwy Ste 300, West Des Moines, IA 50266, USA
17. Sullivan & Ward P C Estate Planning Attorney
★ 4.0 (15 reviews) ·
6601 Westown Pkwy #200, West Des Moines, IA 50266, USA
18. Hopkins Law Office, PLC Estate Planning Attorney
★ 5.0 (1 reviews) ·
1415 28th St #160, West Des Moines, IA 50266, USA
19. Beatty & Miller Estate Planning Attorney
★ 4.5 (4 reviews) ·
2700 Westown Pkwy #310, West Des Moines, IA 50266, USA
20. Skinner & Paschke, PLLC Estate Planning Attorney
★ 5.0 (10 reviews) ·
1454 30th St #102, West Des Moines, IA 50266, USA
21. Simons Law Firm Estate Planning Attorney
★ 4.0 (6 reviews) ·
5550 Wild Rose Ln #400, West Des Moines, IA 50266, USA
22. Dietz Law Estate Planning Attorney
1441 29th St Ste 215
Estate planning attorneys in West Des Moines, IA: a local guide
We currently track 22 estate planning, elder law, and probate attorneys serving West Des Moines, IA in Polk County. Across the ones with public reviews, the average customer rating is 4.5★ from 817 total reviews, and 12 hold a 4.5★ rating or higher. Pearson Bollman Law is among the most-reviewed locally, at 4.7★ across 181 reviews.
What estate planning costs in West Des Moines
Rough planning ranges for the West Des Moines 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 West Des Moines 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 West Des Moines
- 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 West Des Moines-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 West Des Moines estate clients.
- Pick a lawyer who focuses on estate planning and probate, not a generalist who dabbles.
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 West Des Moines matter?
- Is this a flat fee or hourly, and what exactly does it cover?
- Do you focus on estate planning and probate specifically?
Many West Des Moines 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 West Des Moines?
Many West Des Moines 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 West Des Moines 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 West Des Moines-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 West Des Moines firms handle both.
Estate & elder law attorneys in West Des Moines: what to know
How much does an estate planning attorney cost in West Des Moines?
In the West Des Moines 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 West Des Moines area.
Wills & TrustsLiving TrustsProbatePowers of AttorneyMedicaid PlanningGuardianshipSpecial Needs PlanningEstate Administration