Estate Planning Attorney Serving Nebraska & Iowa
Protect your family, your assets, and your future with a personalized estate plan.
A well-crafted estate plan is one of the most important things you can do for your family. Without one, Nebraska and Iowa law, not your wishes, will determine what happens to your assets and who cares for your minor children. Tyler Grevengoed works with individuals and families throughout Omaha, Gretna, Sarpy County, and Southwest Iowa, including Council Bluffs and surrounding communities, to create clear, comprehensive estate plans tailored to each client's unique situation.
Tyler J. Grevengoed is an estate planning attorney licensed in Nebraska and Iowa. Grevengoed Law helps individuals and families in Omaha, Gretna, Sarpy County, Council Bluffs, and surrounding communities create and update wills, trusts, powers of attorney, health care directives, beneficiary plans, and other estate planning documents.
Individuals and families in Gretna and Sarpy County can also view our Gretna office for location details and information about scheduling an estate planning consultation.
Who Should Have an Estate Plan?
Estate planning is not just for the wealthy or the elderly. If any of the following describes you, an estate plan is worth discussing:
Parents of minor children
If you have minor children, your estate plan can identify the person you want to serve as guardian if something happens to you. Without appropriate planning, a court may ultimately determine who serves as guardian.
Married couples
A plan ensures that assets pass to your spouse and children the way you intend, not according to a default formula set by state law. It also designates who makes financial and medical decisions if either of you becomes incapacitated before death.
Blended families
When a family includes children from a prior relationship, the default rules under Nebraska and Iowa law may not protect those children the way you intend. A carefully drafted plan can provide for a current spouse while also preserving an inheritance for children from an earlier relationship.
Business owners
A business interest that passes without a plan can create serious problems for co-owners, employees, and family members. An estate plan can address what happens to your ownership interest at death or incapacity, and how the business continues or is transferred.
People approaching or in retirement
Retirement is a natural time to review beneficiary designations, consider whether a revocable trust makes sense, and make sure your estate plan still reflects your family, property, and long-term goals. Assets accumulated over a lifetime deserve a plan that coordinates how they are managed during incapacity and transferred at death.
Property and account holders
Real estate, retirement accounts, and life insurance each have their own rules about how they pass at death. A plan coordinates these assets so they reach the right people, in the right proportions, without unnecessary delay or court involvement.
Anyone concerned about incapacity
A durable power of attorney and a medical power of attorney designate the people you trust to make financial and health care decisions if you are unable to act for yourself. Without these documents, your family may need to go to court to obtain that authority.
Last Will & Testament
A will is the foundation of most estate plans. It directs how your assets are distributed after your death, names an executor to administer your estate, and designates a guardian for your minor children. Without a valid will, Nebraska and Iowa intestacy laws control the distribution of your estate, which may not reflect your wishes.
Revocable & Irrevocable Trusts
Assets properly transferred to a trust can generally be administered and distributed under the trust rather than through probate. A revocable living trust can also provide continuity if you become unable to manage trust property yourself. Irrevocable trusts can provide asset protection and tax planning benefits. Tyler will help you determine which type of trust, if any, is right for your situation.
Durable Power of Attorney
A durable power of attorney designates a trusted person (your agent) to manage your financial and legal affairs. Without one, your family may need to go to court to obtain a conservatorship, which is a costly and time-consuming process. A properly drafted durable power of attorney can reduce the likelihood that a court-appointed conservator will be needed.
Medical Power of Attorney
A medical power of attorney (also called a health care proxy) designates someone to make medical decisions on your behalf. At any age, a medical power of attorney is one of the most important documents you can have to ensure that the person you trust most is empowered to advocate for your care.
Living Will / Advance Directive
A living will (advance directive) expresses your wishes regarding end-of-life medical treatment, including whether you want life-sustaining treatment continued if you are in a terminal condition or persistent vegetative state. A living will gives your family and medical providers clear guidance and relieves them of an incredibly difficult decision.
Ownership & Beneficiary Designations
Many assets including retirement accounts, life insurance, and jointly held property pass outside of your will through beneficiary designations and titling. A comprehensive estate plan reviews and coordinates these designations to ensure your overall plan works as intended and avoids unintended consequences.
Already Have an Estate Plan? It May Need Updating.
Estate plans are not one-and-done documents. Major life events such as marriage, divorce, the birth of a child, the death of a beneficiary, a significant change in assets, or a move to or from Nebraska or Iowa can make an existing plan outdated or ineffective. Tyler reviews existing plans and recommends targeted updates to keep your documents current with your life and with Nebraska and Iowa law.
What to Expect at a Consultation
A typical estate planning consultation lasts 45–60 minutes. Tyler will ask about your family situation, assets, and goals, then explain your options in plain language, without jargon. Most clients leave with a clear picture of what documents they need and why. Home visits are available for clients who are unable to travel to one of the firm's Omaha or Gretna offices.
Common Estate Planning Questions
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Contact Grevengoed Law PLLC to discuss your legal needs. Serving Omaha, Gretna, and Southwest Iowa.
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Common questions about this practice area answered for Nebraska and Iowa clients.
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Contact Grevengoed Law PLLC today to schedule an estate planning consultation. Tyler Grevengoed is a licensed Nebraska and Iowa attorney serving clients in Omaha, Gretna, Sarpy County, Council Bluffs, and Southwest Iowa.