Scott Shoemaker & Associates, PLC

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Scott Shoemaker & Associates, PLC Our unique systems ensure things are as easy as possible after your death for the people you love

Scott Shoemaker & Associates, PLC Provides Estate Planning, Probate, Wills, Trusts, Special Needs Trusts, Guardianship, Conservatorship Services to the Cedar Rapids, IA area.

Families may be surprised to learn that a valid will does not automatically transfer everything after someone passes awa...
10/26/2026

Families may be surprised to learn that a valid will does not automatically transfer everything after someone passes away. Sometimes, probate administration may still be required before assets can be properly distributed.

Probate administration is the court-supervised process that helps:

🔹Verify the validity of a will.

🔹Identify heirs and beneficiaries.

🔹Gather and inventory estate assets.

🔹Notify creditors and review claims.

🔹Distribute property according to the will or state law when there is no will.

Probate is more than paperwork. It is an important legal process designed to ensure that assets are transferred correctly and that outstanding obligations are properly addressed before distribution occurs.

Trying to navigate probate without legal guidance can lead to delays, mistakes, and unnecessary stress during an already difficult time. Contact our firm for guidance through probate administration or probate litigation.

While estate planning can seem complex at first, understanding a few key concepts can go a long way toward helping you p...
10/23/2026

While estate planning can seem complex at first, understanding a few key concepts can go a long way toward helping you protect your loved ones, preserve your wishes, and prepare for the unexpected. Swipe through for a breakdown of some key terms and documents to know.

If you would like to discuss your estate planning needs or review your current documents, please contact us. We would be happy to answer your questions and help you determine whether your plan still aligns with your goals.

When someone dies, probate is often the part families dread most, usually because nobody has explained what it actually ...
10/21/2026

When someone dies, probate is often the part families dread most, usually because nobody has explained what it actually involves. Here's the general sequence in an uncontested Iowa estate, meaning one where everyone agrees and nobody is challenging the will:

🔹Opening the estate with the district court and appointing an executor
🔹Notifying creditors and handling any claims that come in
🔹Inventorying and valuing what the estate holds
🔹Filing a final accounting for court approval
🔹Distributing assets to heirs and closing the estate

Most uncontested Iowa cases take somewhere between six months and a year, largely because state law requires a creditor notice period before an estate can close. Not every estate needs probate, and I'll tell you honestly if yours doesn't.

If you're sorting through a loved one's estate right now, find details at cedarrapidswills.com/uncontested-probate.

Planning for the future with an estate plan is one of the most meaningful things you can do for the people you love. Est...
10/20/2026

Planning for the future with an estate plan is one of the most meaningful things you can do for the people you love. Estate plans ensure your wishes are honored and that the people who matter most to you are taken care of, no matter what.

As estate planning lawyers, we can help you with:

🔹Wills to document your wishes and ensure your assets are distributed the way you intend.

🔹Trusts to protect and manage your assets for beneficiaries while potentially avoiding probate.

🔹Powers of attorney to make financial decisions on your behalf if you are unable to do so.

🔹Health care directives and living wills to ensure your medical wishes are known.

🔹Beneficiary designations to ensure the right names on your accounts and policies.

🔹Probate and estate administration to guide your family through the legal process.

No matter where you are in life, it is never too early or too late to have a plan in place. Give us a call today to schedule a consultation. We are here to help you take that first step.

Estate planning may feel like a modern necessity, but the ideas behind it have been around for thousands of years. Swipe...
10/15/2026

Estate planning may feel like a modern necessity, but the ideas behind it have been around for thousands of years. Swipe for a few fascinating facts about the history of estate planning.

We hope you found this brief history enlightening. As always, if you have questions about creating or updating your estate plan, contact us. We would be happy to help you develop a strategy tailored to your unique goals and legacy.

With the fall season settling in and year-end plans picking up, it's easy for important tasks to get pushed aside. Our t...
10/15/2026

With the fall season settling in and year-end plans picking up, it's easy for important tasks to get pushed aside. Our team at Scott Shoemaker & Associates is here to support you whenever questions about estate planning, probate, or guardianship come up.

Whether you're thinking about updating a will, exploring trusts, or planning ahead for a loved one's care, we're always ready to help. A quick call or message is all it takes.

What goals are you hoping to wrap up before the end of the year? We'd love to hear from you.

Families planning for an adult child with a disability often ask whether they need guardianship or a special needs trust...
10/14/2026

Families planning for an adult child with a disability often ask whether they need guardianship or a special needs trust. For many, these two tools solve two separate problems.

Guardianship is about decisions, including where your child lives, what medical care they receive, and how daily needs get met. It's a court process, and Iowa law generally favors limited guardianship or a less restrictive option when one meets the need.

A special needs trust is about money. Assets go to a trustee rather than directly to your child, which lets families provide financial support without disrupting eligibility for needs-based benefits. How well it holds up depends on the drafting, the source of the funds, and how the trustee handles distributions, so this is not an area where a template serves anyone well.

Coordinating both under one attorney helps keep the pieces consistent, and that's how I handle these matters at Scott Shoemaker & Associates.

Learn more about special needs trusts at cedarrapidswills.com/service/special-needs-trusts.

Many people feel a sense of relief once their estate planning documents are signed and finalized. After all, creating an...
10/06/2026

Many people feel a sense of relief once their estate planning documents are signed and finalized. After all, creating an estate plan is an important step toward protecting your wishes and providing for your loved ones.

However, an estate plan is not necessarily a "set it and forget it" document. Swipe to test your knowledge of how often estate plans should be reviewed.

If it has been several years since your last review, contact our office to discuss whether your estate plan may need an update.

A will gives you a say in what happens to your estate. Without one, those decisions may no longer be in your hands. Swip...
09/30/2026

A will gives you a say in what happens to your estate. Without one, those decisions may no longer be in your hands. Swipe through for a quick breakdown of what can happen when there is no will in place.

If you have questions about creating or updating your will, contact our office to start the conversation. We are here to help you protect what matters most.

Creating an estate plan is an important step toward protecting your loved ones and preserving your wishes. However, many...
09/28/2026

Creating an estate plan is an important step toward protecting your loved ones and preserving your wishes. However, many people may unintentionally leave out critical details that can create challenges later on. Swipe through for commonly overlooked estate planning considerations to keep in mind.

If you have questions about your estate plan or would like guidance on creating or updating one, contact us today. We are here to help.

Address

425 Second Street SE, Ste 1200
Cedar Rapids, IA
52401

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 5pm
Tuesday 10am - 5pm
Wednesday 10am - 5pm
Thursday 10am - 5pm
Friday 10am - 5pm

Telephone

+13198048346

Website

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