We are engaged in the General Practice of Law, including but not limited to:
Estate Planning and Administration ◊ Estate and Probate Litigation
If you need to develop and put in place a plan for the orderly distribution of assets upon death, or you need assistance taking the estate of a loved one through probate, you want experienced attorneys to guide you through the process and protect your interests. The many different strategies for passing your wealth to future generations can be confusing, as can the requirements for settling an estate.
At the law office of Fuerste, Carew, Juergens & Sudmeier, P.C., we have provided comprehensive counsel on estate planning and probate administration matters since 1965. We emphasize a personal approach with clients, meeting individually with you to identify your concerns and to develop strategies that meet your goals. Because of our commitment to provide sound counsel on a broad range of legal issues, many of our clients have been with us for years.
Contact our office online or call us toll-free at 877-455-2249 to set up a consultation.
Our Estate Planning Practice
We begin the estate planning process by gathering as much information as we can about your financial situation, as well as your estate planning objectives. We will carefully explain the different strategies for accomplishing your goals, including the implementation of wills or trusts, the retitling of assets to avoid probate, or the use of lifetime gifts.
Once you have determined the approach you want to take, we will prepare and execute the documents you need to put your plan in place, including:
- Wills
- Trusts — revocable or irrevocable, living or testamentary, charitable, bypass, family, grandchildren or other special needs trusts
- Powers of attorney — general powers of attorney as well as healthcare powers of attorney
- Living wills
We will help integrate tax planning strategies into your estate plan, as well as provisions to address Medicare or Medicaid eligibility and expenses. If you have minor children or others who lack capacity to make their own decisions, we can also help you put a guardianship or conservatorship in place.
Our Probate and Estate Administration Practice
We work with executors, administrators and heirs to complete the requirements of the probate process, helping you:
- Open the estate and prepare/file all required reports, including an inventory of assets
- Prepare and file all state or federal tax returns for the estate, as well as fiduciary income tax returns
- Pay all final debts of the estate
- Assist with the valuation and/or sale of estate property
- Oversee the orderly distribution of property under the terms of the will
We also provide counsel regarding the administration of trusts.
Estate and Probate Litigation
Our lawyers handle a broad range of disputes arising out of estate and probate administration, including will contests, survivorship issues, mismanagement by executors or administrators and removal proceedings.
Contact Us
Contact us online or call us toll-free at 877-455-2249 to set up a consultation. Our office is located at the corner of 8th and Main Street in downtown Dubuque, with metered and ramp parking close by. We will meet with you evenings or weekends upon request.