Estate Planning Lawyers for Des Moines, Iowa

Need an estate planning lawyer in Des Moines, Iowa?

ContractsCounsel matches businesses with Des Moines-based estate planning lawyers, providing fixed-fee quotes from vetted attorneys with the first proposal typically arriving in just a few hours.

Hire a Lawyer for 60% Less than Traditional Law Firms

1
Post your project.
Create a project posting in our marketplace. We will ask you the questions lawyers need to know to provide pricing.
2
Receive multiple bids.
Receive multiple bids from vetted lawyers in our network that have the experience to help you with your project.
3
Review and hire.
Compare multiple proposals from lawyers and arrange calls through our platform. Securely make payment to hire your lawyer.

Meet some of our Des Moines Estate Planning Lawyers

Melissa L. - Estate Planning Lawyer in Des Moines, Iowa
View Melissa
4.9 (6)
Member Since:
October 26, 2020

Melissa L.

Attorney
Free Consultation
Des Moines, IA
18 Yrs Experience
Licensed in IA
City University School of Law

Seasoned negotiator, mediator, and attorney providing premier legal advice, services, and representation with backgrounds in the following but not limited to law areas: business/commercial (restaurant & manufacturing), contracts, education, employment, family and matrimonial, healthcare, real estate, and probate & wills/trusts

Recent  ContractsCounsel Client  Review:
5.0

"This attorney has been extremely professional, accurate, available, and extremely fast. In a word, very efficient. Within 3 days she gave me the final product, a high quality one. I should also add that her courtesy throughout the process was the cherry on top of the cake. I could not recommend her enough!"

Brad B. - Estate Planning Lawyer in Des Moines, Iowa
View Brad
Member Since:
July 28, 2023
Christopher R. - Estate Planning Lawyer in Des Moines, Iowa
View Christopher
Member Since:
March 9, 2025

Christopher R.

Owner-Manager
Free Consultation
Urbandale, Iowa
33 Yrs Experience
Licensed in IA IL, MO
Saint Louis University

Over the course of the past 30 years, in both General Counsel roles (3 times) and in private practice, I have built a successful national real estate transaction, construction, and environmental law practice

Alexander C. - Estate Planning Lawyer in Des Moines, Iowa
View Alexander
Member Since:
August 23, 2025

Find the best lawyer for your project

Browse Lawyers Now

Meet some of our other Estate Planning Lawyers

Joshua D. - Estate Planning Lawyer in Des Moines, Iowa
View Joshua
5.0 (5)
Member Since:
June 5, 2025

Joshua D.

Business Attorney
Free Consultation
Lynn, MA
3 Yrs Experience
Licensed in MA
New England Law | Boston

I am an experienced small business attorney. I work diligently to ensure that small business owners achieve their objectives while maintaining compliance, satisfying legal duties, and engaging in smart contracting opportunities. I provide everything from organization, to lease/commercial real estate purchase agreement review and negotiation, and even IP filings. I can help to navigate commercial and government contracts, as well as other SaaS-type agreements.

Recent  ContractsCounsel Client  Review:
5.0

"Joshua is a phenomenal attorney to work with. He has a personality and isn't monotone to converse with. He is extremely responsive and delivers timely. He answered all my questions, while fairly abiding by the scope of representation. I would work with him again."

Cherie M. - Estate Planning Lawyer in Des Moines, Iowa
View Cherie
5.0 (10)
Member Since:
June 8, 2025

Cherie M.

Attorney
Free Consultation
Shawnee, KS
9 Yrs Experience
Licensed in KS, VA, WA
Regent University School of Law

Dedicated attorney with contract experience in Washington, Virginia, and Kansas.

Recent  ContractsCounsel Client  Review:
5.0

"Cherie was very professional and responded immediately to all of my questions. Thank you for the great work"

Hung C. - Estate Planning Lawyer in Des Moines, Iowa
View Hung
Member Since:
June 10, 2025

Hung C.

Tech lawyer / general counsel
Free Consultation
San Francisco Bay Area
20 Yrs Experience
Licensed in CA
University of San Francisco

Hi, I’m a tech lawyer who helps startups move fast without breaking things legally. I work with founders, product teams, and early-stage companies tackling messy legal and compliance challenges. From launching MVPs to signing your first customers, raising capital, or issuing tokens, I make sure legal supports your growth, not slows it down. With 15+ years of experience at global tech companies and in-house roles, I’ve helped startups across AI, Web3, SaaS, and gaming lay solid legal foundations. I bring sharp, practical advice that fits your stage, your budget, and your ambitions. I offer fractional general counsel support - senior legal expertise without the full-time overhead. Here’s how I can help: Product & Privacy Launch smart with privacy-by-design, strong TOS, and compliance (GDPR, CCPA, HIPAA, etc.). Commercial Contracts SaaS, vendor, data, pilot, licensing. I’ll help you close clean, scalable deals. IP & Open Source Protect what you build. I’ll guide you on patents, trade secrets, and open source use. Crypto & Web3 Token grants, incentive plans, securities and tax issues, DAO structures - I’ve done it. AI Legal & Governance I advise AI teams on legal risk, model oversight, and emerging regulations (US, EU, global). Fundraising & Corporate Stay investor-ready with clean docs, smart governance, and solid equity structure. Regulatory Strategy Fintech, payments, data. I'll turn complex rules into actionable legal strategies. I speak founder. I’ve been inside startups and know what scrappy, strategic legal support looks like. If you're looking for a hands-on legal partner to help you build responsibly and scale with confidence, let’s talk.

Tameem A. - Estate Planning Lawyer in Des Moines, Iowa
View Tameem
Member Since:
June 12, 2025

Tameem A.

Sr. Counsel - Contracts
Free Consultation
San Diego, CA
10 Yrs Experience
Licensed in CA
Thomas Jefferson School of Law

With nearly a decade of in-house experience at publicly traded and high-growth technology companies, I bring a practical and business-focused approach to negotiating and managing a wide range of commercial agreements, including SaaS, licensing, procurement, and enterprise contracts. I lead strategic negotiations, advise on risk, and collaborate cross-functionally to support scalable legal processes. My background includes enhancing contract frameworks, refining templates, and driving alignment between legal strategy and business goals.

Khari P. - Estate Planning Lawyer in Des Moines, Iowa
View Khari
Member Since:
June 14, 2025

Khari P.

Business Lawyer
Free Consultation
New York, New York
26 Yrs Experience
Licensed in NY
University of New Hampshire Franklin Pierce School of Law

I’m a New York-based attorney with over 20 years of experience, working at the intersection of litigation and transactional law. I help individuals and businesses create solid legal documents — prenups, contracts, leases, and more — with an eye toward clarity, fairness, and long-term protection. As a litigator, I’ve seen firsthand how vague or one-sided agreements can lead to unnecessary disputes, court battles, and financial stress. That perspective shapes the way I draft and review documents: I build them to stand up, not just get signed. Whether you’re preparing for marriage, launching a business, or resolving a dispute, I bring a practical, client-first approach rooted in legal insight and lived experience. Clients appreciate that I explain the law in plain language, respect their time, and tailor every solution to fit their goals — not just the paperwork. Let’s make sure you’re protected — not just on paper, but in real life.

Lana A. - Estate Planning Lawyer in Des Moines, Iowa
View Lana
Member Since:
June 18, 2025

Lana A.

Owner / Principal Attorney
Free Consultation
New York Law Office
28 Yrs Experience
Licensed in NY
Touro Law Center, Central Islip, NY Juris Doctor

I am a New York Attorney for over 25 years with extensive experience in contract law of all types, including real estate, and was a bank closer for residential housing and refinancing. Extensive landlord-tenant work, including leases, commercial property, and telecom. I have done pre-trial civil litigation, motion practice, and forensic accountings for all types of disputes, from lawsuits to mediations and arbitrations, and created lasting agreements in conflicts. In addition, I have created and advised on business formation as well as dissolutions, recently doing a business acquisition for a scientist who worked for a major company but desired to create their own product and testing line. I maintain a NYC office but reside out of NY.

Laura C. - Estate Planning Lawyer in Des Moines, Iowa
View Laura
Member Since:
June 18, 2025

Laura C.

Solo Practitioner
Free Consultation
New Orleans, Louisiana
9 Yrs Experience
Licensed in LA
Loyola University New Orleans College of Law

Serving the Greater New Orleans Westbank, Laura brings a unique blend of legal expertise and technical regulatory experience to individuals and small businesses navigating complex legal challenges. With a Juris Doctorate from Loyola College of Law’s Civil Law Night Program (2017) and a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of New Orleans (2011), Laura offers grounded, strategic legal support rooted in real-world problem-solving. Prior to practicing law, Laura spent over a decade at the U.S. Department of the Interior, focusing on environmental and safety regulatory enforcement for offshore oil and gas operations. There, she led compliance reviews, developed policy, mediated between federal experts and industry representatives, and presented at major professional conferences on exploration, development, and environmental planning. This experience has instilled a deep understanding of complex regulatory frameworks and strong negotiation skills—assets to any client. Laura also served as Vice President of her union local, where she advocated for federal employees in disciplinary matters, negotiated workplace policy changes, and secured ADA accommodations—experience that informs her empathetic, client-centered approach to employment and family law.

JOSEPH R. - Estate Planning Lawyer in Des Moines, Iowa
View JOSEPH
Member Since:
June 20, 2025

JOSEPH R.

20+ yrs Corporate, M&A, Securities Lawyer (MBA & JD) New York & Texas
New York & Texas
22 Yrs Experience
Licensed in NY, TX
University of Iowa (JD, Law Review & Moot Court)

Since starting as a Wall Street lawyer in 2004, I have led and closed 100's of transactions ranging from small business acquisitions to multi-billion-dollar domestic and international deals as well as private capital raises large and small. With over 20 years of experience in corporate, M&A, and securities law, I provide strategic legal counsel tailored to high-stakes business initiatives as well as critical advice to startups and companies raising capital. 🔴CORE PRACTICE AREAS: Capital Raising: Structuring and preparing Private Placement Memorandums (PPMs), SAFE Notes, Convertible Notes, Promissory Notes, Bridge Notes, Warrants, Reg A, Reg CF, Reg D, and Reg S offerings. Business Transactions: Representing buyers and sellers in domestic and cross-border M&A. Startups and Growth-Stage Businesses: Formation, structuring, scaling, and preparing businesses for investment or acquisition. Exit Planning: Legal strategy and execution for business sales and investor exits. Strategic Advisory: Advising boards of directors, C-suite executives and founders on overall business strategy and business acquisition/disposition matters. 🔴LEGAL EXPERTISE: Structuring and negotiating complex M&A and capital markets transactions. Drafting core transactional documents: purchase agreements, subscription agreements, operating/shareholder agreements, and corporate governance materials. Advising on securities compliance, including Reg A, Reg D, and Reg S offerings, Blue Sky compliance, and SEC filings. Fund formation and structured finance: extensive experience with CDOs, CMBS/RMBS, and Investment Company Act issues. Partnering with senior management and boards to align legal strategies with business objectives. Collaborating with international counsel and multidisciplinary teams on multijurisdictional deals. 🔴TRACK RECORD: Former Senior Associate Attorney at international Corporate M&A powerhouse Clifford Chance and top Corporate & Structured Finance law firm Thacher Proffitt & Wood both in Manhattan (New York City), where I represented investment banks, public and private companies, private equity sponsors, startups and hedge funds on strategic transactions. Closed and supported multi-billion-dollar deals across industries and jurisdictions. Delivered practical legal solutions to drive successful outcomes for clients ranging from startups to global financial institutions. I am licensed to practice law in New York and Texas. Corporate & Securities Attorney | Strategic Deal Advisor | M&A and Capital Raising Specialist

Estate Planning Legal Questions and Answers

Estate Planning

Durable Power of Attorney

Colorado

Asked on Nov 5, 2021

How does a durable power of attorney work when the person dies?

If you have a durable power of attorney and the person dies, do you still have the authority or does it go to the spouse. I have a durable power of attorney for my aunt, she just died and I'm trying to take care of her funeral and things. Does her husband now have the right to make decisions or myself with the durable power of attorney?

Sarah D.

Answered Nov 30, 2021

A Durable Power of attorney for finances (and healthcare) expires once your aunt dies. It is the executor of her will who now acts in that stead related to her finances. If the executor is the spouse, it will be his right to make the decisions. However, if all property was jointly owned between spouses, there is no need to probate the will under Colorado law.

Read 1 attorney answer>

Estate Planning

Quitclaim Deed

North Carolina

Asked on Oct 1, 2023

Taxes related to quitclaim deed?

I recently inherited a property from a family member. I was given a quitclaim deed transferring the title from them to me. I am trying to understand my tax liabilities related to this transfer of ownership. I am not sure if there are tax implications that I need to be aware of and I was hoping to get advice from a lawyer on how to proceed.

N'kia N.

Answered Oct 30, 2023

A person who inherits property might be subject to taxes. This includes when the person receives a quitclaim deed for the property. However, the person's tax liabilities will ultimately depend in part on the location of the property itself. For legal guidance on the tax implications of inheriting North Carolina property, you might consider consulting with a knowledgeable North Carolina estate and tax planning attorney. Good luck!

Read 1 attorney answer>

Estate Planning

Last Will and Testament

Illinois

Asked on Mar 21, 2023

How often should I review and update my will?

I am asking this question because I want to ensure that my will is up-to-date and reflects any changes in my life circumstances, such as marriage, divorce, birth or adoption of a child, or changes in my financial situation. I am also interested in understanding how frequently I should review and update my will to ensure that my assets are distributed according to my wishes in the event of my death.

Talin H.

Answered Apr 21, 2023

You basically just answered your question. You should review and update your will whenever a major life event happens that might influence how your assets are distributed in the will. The rule of thumb is the addition or subtraction of a family member, or addition, or subtraction of a major asset like a home purchase.

Read 1 attorney answer>

Estate Planning

Will

Washington

Asked on Dec 11, 2023

How do I exclude a child from my will?

I want to write my will and exclude an estranged son. Can I just have a paragraph stating my son's name and that he is to receive nothing whatsoever from my estate? Should I leave him $1.00? Is there a preferred approach to make sure he can't contest my will and receive anything? We've been estranged for years. Thanks.

Matthew S.

Answered Dec 15, 2023

Yes, you could structure your will in that way. You don't even need to leave $1.

Read 1 attorney answer>

Estate Planning

Prenuptial Agreement

Massachusetts

Asked on Apr 21, 2023

How does a prenuptial agreement affect estate planning?

I am getting married soon and I am interested in understanding how a prenuptial agreement would affect my estate planning. I would like to know what steps I should take to ensure that my assets are protected and that my wishes are carried out after I pass away. I am also curious as to how a prenuptial agreement might affect the distribution of my assets to my family members and other beneficiaries.

Briana C.

Answered May 23, 2023

A prenuptial agreement does not create an estate plan. But it can do two things. First, a prenuptial agreement can create a contractual promise on the part of one or both spouses to do something in particular with their estate plan (such as promising to leave the marital home to the surviving spouse, or promising to leave everything they have to the surviving spouse, or promising to set up a trust, etc. etc.). If this contractual promise is broken, the surviving spouse has a contract claim against the estate of the dead spouse. Second, and almost the opposite, in a prenuptial agreement one or both spouses can waive the rights they would otherwise have by statute, thus freeing up the other spouse to do whatever he or she wants with her estate plan. Without a prenuptial agreement, a surviving spouse is entitled by statute to inherit a certain proportion of the estate of the dead spouse (the exact proportion depends on whether or not the dead spouse has a will, and/or has surviving children). The prenuptial agreement can override these statutory rights and provide that the surviving spouse is not entitled to inherit anything from the dead spouse, except for anything the dead spouse may choose to leave the surviving spouse in his or her will.

Read 1 attorney answer>
See more legal questions…

Quick, user friendly and one of the better ways I've come across to get ahold of lawyers willing to take new clients.

View Trustpilot Review

How It Works

Post Your Project

Get Free Bids to Compare

Hire Your Lawyer

Clients Rate Lawyers 4.9 Stars
based on 19,921 reviews
Estate Planning lawyers by top cities
See All Estate Planning Lawyers
Estate Planning lawyers by nearby cities

Contracts Counsel was incredibly helpful and easy to use. I submitted a project for a lawyer's help within a day I had received over 6 proposals from qualified lawyers. I submitted a bid that works best for my business and we went forward with the project.

View Trustpilot Review

I never knew how difficult it was to obtain representation or a lawyer, and ContractsCounsel was EXACTLY the type of service I was hoping for when I was in a pinch. Working with their service was efficient, effective and made me feel in control. Thank you so much and should I ever need attorney services down the road, I'll certainly be a repeat customer.

View Trustpilot Review

I got 5 bids within 24h of posting my project. I choose the person who provided the most detailed and relevant intro letter, highlighting their experience relevant to my project. I am very satisfied with the outcome and quality of the two agreements that were produced, they actually far exceed my expectations.

View Trustpilot Review

How It Works

Post Your Project

Get Free Bids to Compare

Hire Your Lawyer

Clients Rate Lawyers 4.9 Stars
based on 19,921 reviews

Want to speak to someone?

Get in touch below and we will schedule a time to connect!

Request a call

Find lawyers and attorneys by city