You'll Know the Cost Before You Sign Anything
Flat-fee estate planning for Iowa families — no hourly billing, no surprise invoices.
Most people put off estate planning because they don't know what it will cost and don't want to find out mid-project. I built my practice around a different model: you get a firm, all-inclusive quote before we start, and that number doesn't change.
Why Flat-Fee Pricing Changes the Whole Experience
Hourly billing puts you and your attorney in an awkward position. Every question you ask costs money. Every revision runs the clock. That dynamic makes people hesitant to ask the things they actually need to ask — and it produces estate plans that don't fully reflect what a family wanted because they stopped the conversation too early.
Flat-fee pricing removes that friction entirely. Once you have a quote, the cost is fixed. You can ask every question, revisit every decision, and take the time the plan actually requires — without watching the meter run.
This is how I've structured every engagement since I opened my practice. It's not a promotional offer. It's the only way I work.
What Flat-Fee Pricing Covers
Every flat-fee quote I provide is all-inclusive for the scope we agree on. That means:
- Attorney time for all drafting, revisions, and review calls
- A signing meeting at my office where every document is explained before you sign
- Post-signing implementation guidance — funding instructions for trusts, titling guidance, beneficiary designation coordination
- Follow-up questions after signing, at no additional charge
There are no add-on fees for "document preparation," "notarization," or "file storage." The quote you receive is the number on your invoice.
What Does Estate Planning Actually Cost in Iowa?
Iowa estate planning cost varies based on the documents your plan requires. A basic will-based plan for a married couple costs less than a full revocable living trust package. The right plan depends on your assets, your family structure, and what you're trying to accomplish — not on a menu of options I'm trying to sell you.
During your consultation, I'll ask the questions that help me understand your situation, then give you a clear quote for exactly what your plan needs. You'll leave the consultation knowing the cost and the scope — no vague estimates, no "it depends" without an explanation.
General ranges for common plan types:
Individual Will-Based Plan
Includes a will, durable power of attorney, and healthcare directive
Married Couple Will-Based Plan
Coordinated wills, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives for both spouses
Revocable Living Trust Plan
Trust document, pour-over will, and supporting documents — individual or couple
Irrevocable Trust or Special Needs Trust
Quoted individually based on complexity and purpose
Exact figures are provided during your consultation after I understand your situation. I don't post a fee schedule online because the right plan for your family is worth a 30-minute conversation first.
How My Pricing Compares to Hourly Billing
Hourly estate planning rates in Iowa typically run between $200 and $350 per hour. A moderately complex estate plan — wills, powers of attorney, and a trust — can take 8 to 15 hours to complete, depending on how many revisions and calls are involved. That puts the cost anywhere from $1,600 to over $5,000, with no ceiling and no guarantee of where it lands.
With a flat fee, you know the ceiling before you start. For most families in Eastern Iowa, my all-inclusive flat-fee plans come in well below what an hourly engagement would cost for the same scope — and the experience is less stressful because the cost isn't a variable.
Pricing for Probate and Guardianship
Flat-fee pricing applies to my uncontested probate and adult guardianship work as well.
Probate cost in Iowa depends primarily on the size of the estate and the number of heirs involved. Guardianship cost depends on the complexity of the petition and the court's scheduling. In both cases, I provide a flat-fee quote after an initial consultation — so you know what the legal fees will be before any filings begin.
Court filing fees and publication costs are pass-through expenses set by the state and county. Those are disclosed upfront and are not marked up.
We also handle uncontested adult guardianship matters for families navigating a parent's incapacity — a situation where cost clarity matters as much as legal guidance.
What Families in Eastern Iowa Are Saying
21 five-star Google reviews from clients across Cedar Rapids, Marion, Iowa City, and surrounding communities.
Frequently Asked Questions About Estate Planning Costs in Iowa
How much does a will cost in Iowa?
A basic individual will in Iowa typically costs between $300 and $600 when prepared by an attorney. A coordinated will-based plan for a married couple — including powers of attorney and healthcare directives for both spouses — generally runs higher. I provide an exact flat-fee quote during your consultation based on what your plan actually requires.
How much does a trust cost in Iowa?
A revocable living trust plan in Iowa, including the trust document, a pour-over will, and supporting powers of attorney, typically costs more than a will-based plan due to the additional drafting involved. Irrevocable trusts and special needs trusts are quoted individually. I'll give you a firm number after I understand your goals — not a range that leaves you guessing.
Is flat-fee estate planning really all-inclusive?
Yes. My flat-fee quotes cover all attorney time for drafting, revisions, your signing meeting, and post-signing implementation support. The only costs outside the flat fee are pass-through expenses like court filing fees in probate or guardianship matters — and those are disclosed upfront before any work begins.
Why don't you post your prices online?
Because the right plan for your family depends on your assets, your family structure, and what you're trying to accomplish. Posting a fee schedule without that context leads people to choose a plan based on price rather than fit. A 30-minute consultation lets me give you an accurate quote for exactly what you need — and that conversation is free.
Do you charge for the initial consultation?
No. The initial consultation is free. You'll leave with a clear understanding of what your estate plan should include and a flat-fee quote for the work — with no obligation to move forward.
Scott Shoemaker is an Iowa estate planning attorney with 8 years of experience serving families in Cedar Rapids, Marion, Iowa City, Coralville, Waterloo, and Cedar Falls. His practice focuses exclusively on estate planning, uncontested probate, and uncontested adult guardianship — with flat-fee, all-inclusive pricing on every engagement. Learn more on the About Scott Shoemaker page.
