Estate Planning & Probate

Our estate planning attorneys can assist with all of your Estate Planning & Probate needs.

Probate is the process that occurs upon a person's death and allows real estate to be transfered, a decedent's will to be established as controlling, and allows for the distribution of property after payment all debts and charges against a decedent's estate.

Estate planning is a financial plan that maximizes profit for your intended beneficiaries upon your death. A will is a written document directing the distribution of a person's property upon their death. Dying without a will leaves a person powerless in determining where their property goes upon their death.

Both probate and estate planning can be complex and overwhelming. We can help. The attorneys here at Kintzinger Law Firm are experienced and knowledgable and can assist you in making sound decisions in regards to your future. Our attorneys can also assist you in concerns after a loved ones death with issues regarding probate and contested wills.

We can help you draft either a simple will or set up a complicated estate plan. We can also help you establish your preferences for Organ Donation, help you write a Living Will, and establish a Health Care Power of Attorney and Financial Power of Attorney.

Let us help you take control over what happens to your property when you are unable to make these important decisions. Speak to one of our Dubuque estate planning attorneys today.


A will is a legal tool that assists in the distribution of property upon a person's death. A will allows a person to assure that the appropriate people receive the property you wish to leave them with. Proper estate planning may lead to thousands of dollars being saved in taxes and probate.

  • Who do you want to be your executor?
  • Who do you want to receive your property?
  • Is there a percentage you want each individual to receive?
  • Are there specific items you want to leave to specific individuals (i.e. family heirloom, car, etc.)?
  • If you have minor children, do you want to specify a guardian?
  • If you have minor children, do you want to set up a trust until they reach the age of majority or older?
  • Who would you want to be the trustee?

This is called dying "intestate". In this case, your assets will be distributed according to a statutory scheme instead of you having a say over where they go.

We have an entire article written about this important topic: Deciding Between Wills & Revocable Trusts

In addition to controlling where your assets go after you die, proper estate planning can potentially save thousands of dollars of federal estate taxes.

A living will is not actually a will. It in effect when you are still alive, but when a doctor has declared you unable to make medical decisions yourself. A living will allows you to outline the medical care you would like administered in this situation. We often draft a medical power of attorney together with a living will, which allows you to name trusted individuals to make medical decisions for you in the event you are unable to yourself.

Call us today to discuss your probate or estate planning needs: (563) 588-0547

Call our Dubuque Lawyers today:   (563) 588-0547

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