West Chester Probate Lawyers

Melvin O. Shaw is a graduate of the University of Iowa College of Law (2004). He has a Master’s in journalism from the UI, and a B.S. in political science from the University of Missouri-Columbia. Melvin has been a solo practitioner since he opened his law firm in 2006. Melvin will serve a one-year term as president of the Iowa State Bar Association starting June 2024. He is Chair of the Iowa Judicial Qualifications Commission and has served on the JQC since 2018. Melvin was appointed to the Lawyers Trust Account Commission 2024-2027 under an order of...

Ed Cox practices in agricultural law, estate planning, and real estate and handles general practices matters. Prior to private practice Ed worked as staff attorney at the Drake University Agricultural Law Center. He has written several publications on agricultural law issues and has given numerous presentations on the topic across the country. Ed is licensed to practice law in Iowa and Missouri.

My name is Scott Shoemaker, and I am your Personal Family Lawyer. I grew up in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. My youth and young adulthood were spent pursuing my dream of becoming a classical musician. I went so far as to earn degrees in music from Coe College, University of Nebraska, and the University of Iowa. I even spent a few years teaching at a couple of different institutions of high education. Along the way, I realized my real passion was helping other people bring about their dreams. So I ended up in law school. While I was a student at Nebraska Law,...

CHRISTINE L. CRILLEY is a General Practice Attorney and Collaborative Lawyer with over thirty years of experience in a variety of legal areas such as family law, adoptions, business law, litigation, construction law, probate and wills.

In Addition to her law practice Ms. Crilley is also an accomplished Mediator and Arbitrator as well as a nationally approved Mediation Trainer. She offers basic Mediation training and advance Mediation training as well as Collaborative Law Training, and Parent Coordinator Training. Christine is also a Parenting Coordinator and Parent Coach.

After earning her B.A. degree at the University of Northern Iowa in 1979, Christine...

As an Iowa City native, Parker attended the University of Iowa for his undergraduate education where he majored in Marketing Management, along with attending the University of Iowa College of Law for his legal education. During law school, Parker competed in various mock competitions including Iowa's Intramural Mock Baseball Salary Arbitration Competitions in 2023 and 2024, along with Iowa's Mock NCAA Infractions Competitions in 2022, 2023, and 2024. Additionally, Parker competed in the National Mock NCAA Infractions Competition in 2023 and 2024, where in 2024 he achieved runner-up in the hearing portion of the competition, and won the writing portion of the...

Gary has been working with individuals and families to help with their estate and tax planning for almost thirty years. He has a robust tax practice, preparing both individual and fiduciary returns. With this background, he also advises his clients on their estate planning, bringing his areas of expertise together to draft comprehensive plans that accomplish their goals. Gary also facilitates trust and estate administration, and so further helps families carry out their plans. In his career, Gary has worked with multiple generations, providing guidance and counsel on issues relating to finances, taxes, wealth transfer, and almost everything in between.

Originally...

Partner at Cray Law Firm.

Experience Counselor with more than 30 years experience advising clients in stressful and difficult circumstances

I am a licensed Attorney, certified Mediator and certified Collaborative Law Attorney in the State of Iowa and am passionate about providing quality client service through competency, communication and compassion. I am a part of the general practice firm, Nelson Law Firm, PLLC, where I provide legal services at our main office in Waterloo, Iowa and branch office in Grundy Center, Iowa. My practice areas include but are not limited to, business law, real estate, mediation, family law, including collaborative family law, creditors' rights law (including subrogation, collections and foreclosure), estate planning, probate, guardian/conservator law, and guardian ad litem services....

A northeast Iowa native, Thad grew up on a small farm on the outskirts of West Union, Iowa. After graduating from the University of Iowa College of law, he practiced for three years in Davenport, Iowa and has practiced since 2003 in Dubuque, Iowa. He has also maintained an office in Davenport since 2007. Currently practicing out of the Pioneer Law branch in Dubuque, Thad focuses on estate planning, elder law, Social Security disability and veterans disability. When not spending time with his wife and two daughters, Thad enjoys speaking with other attorneys and professional groups. In the past Thad...

Chad grew up in Ames, Iowa. Prior to his career as an attorney, Chad was a minister for 10 years in local churches and denominational administration. Chad lives in West Des Moines with his wife, Sarah, and two boys, Walker and Max. Chad’s practice focuses on elder law, estate planning, and non-profit/charitable organizations. He is a licensed mediator for elder law matters. He has provided quality representation to a spectrum of clients including individuals, families, charities, municipalities and professional sports teams. Along with his work as an attorney, Chad routinely speaks at churches and other charitable organizations across the country...

Attorney Colby M. Lessmann was born and raised in Sioux City, Iowa, and is a graduate of Sioux City North High School. Colby graduated from the University of South Dakota School of Business (B.S., 1996) and School of Law (J.D., 1999). During his law school education, he published a casenote in the South Dakota Law Review (1998) and was both the Managing Editor and the Production Editor for Volume 44 of the South Dakota Law Review (1998-1999). After graduating from Law School, Colby clerked for Justice Robert Amundson of the South Dakota Supreme Court in Pierre, South Dakota. In August...

Attorney Dean Fankhauser was raised in Chadron, Nebraska and is the son of former business owners who still reside in Chadron today. After graduating from Chadron State College, Dean studied at The University of South Dakota School of Law and graduated in 2014 with a Juris Doctor. While in law school, Dean had many great experiences, including advancing to the Elite 8 of the Sam Masten Appellate Advocacy Competition and completing an internship at the Federal Public Defender’s office in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Dean moved to the Siouxland Community after law school and shortly began working as an associate attorney....

Prior to founding Buchheit Law (June, 2013), Lindsey worked as an attorney for two Sioux City law firms from 2007-2013. Lindsey is the President of the Siouxland Estate Planning Council, Secretary of the Sergeant Bluff Community Development Corporation; Secretary of the Center For Siouxland; and a board member of the Iowa Small Business Development Centers. Lindsey is a Martindale Hubbell BV Distinguished attorney and is licensed in Iowa, Nebraska, and South Dakota. Lindsey's practice includes but is not limited to estate planning and probate; family law; business and creditor law.

My name is Nikolas Richard Pilcher and I am an attorney at The Law Offices of Parmenter, Pilcher, & Pilcher P.C. located in Huxley, Iowa. I am a United States Army Veteran and an active member of my community! I received a Bachelor of Science from Bradley University in Peoria IL, and my Juris Doctor from Southern Illinois University School of Law in Carbondale IL. niko@huxleyattorneys.com https://huxley-attorneys.com

Lee M. Rankin is a partner at Willson & Pechacek, PLC, in Council Bluffs, Iowa. Mr. Rankin primarily practices in the areas of taxation, corporate law, estate planning, real estate, and trust and probate administration. He represents clients in Council Bluffs, Pottawattamie County, Monona County and throughout Southwest Iowa and Eastern Nebraska. Lee was born in Omaha, NE and received his BSBA from the University of Nebraska at Omaha in accounting in 1998. He received his Nebraska license as a Certified Public Accounting in 2001. In 2002, Lee returned to school, attending the University of Nebraska College of Law where...

Attorney Ryan Ross is a graduate of Doane College (B.S. 1992 with distinction) and Willamette Law School (J.D. 1995). He is admitted to practice law in the United States Federal Court, as well as Iowa, South Dakota, and Nebraska state courts. Ryan handles primarily real estate property matters (such as title opinions, title guarantee, foreclosures, deeds, sales, acquisitions, condominium transactions, purchase agreements, contracts, leases, options, easements, restrictive covenants, construction liens, landlord-tenant, evictions, subdivision, and zoning and board adjustment items), business matters (corporations, nonprofit corporations, limited liability companies, partnerships, acquisitions, sales, mergers, contracts, succession planning, dissolutions, and licensing), and estate planning...

Sam practices primarily in Estate Planning (including wills and trusts), probate law, succession planning and business law. In addition to being a lawyer, he is also a certified public accountant. Sam received his undergraduate degree in Business Administration-Accounting from the University of Southern California (U.S.C.) in 1978, and his Juris Doctorate at Drake University in 1981. Sam is licensed to practice law in all courts within Iowa, as well as the following Federal Courts: Northern and Southern District of Iowa, Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals, and the United States Tax Court. Sam is a member of the...

Mark was born on a farm in Wright County, Iowa and currently raises cattle and grapes, he owns a local winery called 99 Bottles Winery near Garner, Iowa.

Mark raised his family in rural Iowa and loves the country. Mark was an Auctioneer for many years and still sells farmland at Auction when his clients want him to do that.

Mark sold over 30 Million Dollars worth of Farm Land in the recent years in North Central Iowa and Southern Minnesota.

Contact Newman Thompson & Gray, for all of your legal needs!

Born and raised in southern Iowa (don't hold that against me) on a farm just outside of Centerville. (Big Reds and Pancake Day). Undergraduate degree from THE Iowa State University. I still bleed cardinal and gold, but I can find a place to help even Hawkeye fans. Drake University to get the degree that allows me have the law license. I spent my initial 16 years at a local medium-sized law firm honing my skills before jumping out of the nest and starting my own firm in 2013. I said this when my girls were younger and...

Daniel is committed to competent advising, responsive communication, and value-based service for clients. With a background and continued involvement in his family's farm, Daniel P. Fischer understands the legal needs and planning techniques best suited for individuals, farms, and businesses in southwest Iowa. Daniel studied Agricultural Business and Economics at Iowa State University, where he graduated summa cum laude and served as the Student Body President. At the University of Iowa, Daniel earned his Juris Doctor, with distinction, and was published in the Iowa Law Review for his note on the taxation of agricultural bankruptcies. Following law school,...