Chuck Smith and Nicole Hughes have again been selected to the 2023 Great Plains Super Lawyers list. Chuck has been selected for 15 years and Nicole has been selected for 4 years! Each year, no more than five percent of the lawyers in the region are selected by the...
congratulates Charles Smith, Nicole Hughes and John Flaten for being recognized in the 2024 editions of The Best Lawyers in America® and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch®. Both publications use peer reviews to evaluate attorneys. The Best...
When someone passes away in Iowa, their estate may or may not need to go through probate, depending on different factors. Probate is a process that allows for the transfer of an estate to the deceased’s heirs or beneficiaries. The probate process includes a mandatory four-month period to allow time for creditors to file claims against the estate, meaning heirs…
Dealing with the death of a loved one is emotional and challenging. Taking care of their estate can add additional stress, especially if they don’t have a will. When someone dies without a will, determining what they own may be more challenging. Additionally, intestacy law will determine how their assets are distributed if they don’t name any beneficiaries. Who Is…
Financial struggles cause millions of Americans stress and heartache. Suddenly, you may find yourself in an impossible situation, battling to maintain your financial stability. If you are considering bankruptcy, you may be worried about how it can impact your ability to keep your property. You may also wonder what effect it could have on a potential foreclosure. At Telpner Peterson…
Whether you’re years into running your business or just getting started, hiring a business attorney can benefit you significantly. An experienced and knowledgeable lawyer can help you during every stage of your business’s life, from establishing your entity and drafting contracts to protecting your assets and representing you in lawsuits. Below are the reasons you, as a business owner, should…
Real estate transactions involve many moving parts and can be complex. Understanding the potential issues that can arise during a real estate transaction can help ensure the process goes as smoothly as possible. This blog post will look at the most common issues that come up during real estate transactions and how to handle them. Financing When it comes to…
Probate is the legal process of validating a decedent’s will and distributing their assets in accordance with Iowa law. If you were appointed as the personal representative for a decedent’s estate in Iowa, it is crucial to understand the duties and responsibilities associated with the role. This blog post will discuss the personal representative’s role and various duties during Iowa’s…
If someone dies in Iowa and leaves a will, the probate court will validate the will and allow the executor to distribute the estate’s assets according to the last will and testament. However, if the decedent died without leaving a valid will, Iowa law deems them to have died intestate. This means that the court must follow intestate succession laws…
Charles Smith’s professional accolades placed him in the top 10% of America’s Most Honored Lawyers in 2022. The American Registry recognized Mr. Smith for his continuous public recognition of excellence. He has been referenced in the press, honored by professional organizations, and praised by his peers and clients. Charles Smith is a partner in law firm of Telpner Peterson Law…