Estate Planning Attorney in Kootenai County

Full-Service Estate Planning for Kootenai County Families

Rathdrum & Post Falls Estate Planning helps individuals and families throughout Kootenai County protect their assets and plan for how they pass to the right people in the right way. Attorney Kurt Schwab leads the practice, guiding clients through wills, trusts, powers of attorney, healthcare directives, probate, and guardianship matters. Every plan is built around the client’s specific goals, not a template.

Ready to start your estate plan? Call our Kootenai County estate planning attorneys at (208) 486-0120 or reach out through our contact form to schedule a free consultation.

Why Kootenai County Residents Work with Our Firm

Our attorneys bring deep familiarity with Idaho’s estate laws and the communities we serve, and that local knowledge shapes every recommendation we make. We don’t hand files off and wait for clients to chase us down. Our attorneys touch base with clients at least once a week to provide updates and stay available for questions as circumstances change.

We work to resolve estate matters without litigation whenever possible, saving clients time, money, and stress. When a dispute does require court involvement, we’re fully prepared to represent them. That combination of practical problem-solving and trial readiness means families receive guidance tailored to their circumstances, not just the path of least resistance.

Estate Planning Services for Kootenai County Clients

We offer a complete range of planning documents and strategies. Whether a client needs a straightforward last will and testament or a layered asset protection structure, we have the tools to build it.

Wills & Trusts

We draft last wills and testaments and establish revocable living trusts, irrevocable trusts, and family limited partnerships. Each instrument serves a different purpose: a revocable living trust allows assets to pass outside probate and can be amended during the client’s lifetime, while an irrevocable trust can remove assets from the taxable estate and provide stronger creditor protection.

Powers of Attorney

A durable power of attorney designates someone to manage financial and legal decisions if you become unable to do so. We prepare these documents with the specificity needed to give your agent clear authority and appropriate limits.

Healthcare Directives

A healthcare directive, sometimes called a living will, sets out your medical preferences if you’re incapacitated and can’t speak for yourself. We work to ensure these documents reflect your actual wishes and meet Idaho’s execution requirements.

Probate Assistance

When a loved one dies, we guide the personal representative through the probate process at the Kootenai County District Court. If disputes arise among heirs or creditors, we handle probate litigation as well.

Guardianship & Conservatorship

We assist families who need to establish legal guardianship or conservatorship for a minor child, an adult dependent, or an aging parent who can no longer manage their own affairs.

Kootenai County Probate Court & Idaho Estate Law

Probate cases in Kootenai County are filed with the Magistrate Division of the Kootenai County District Court, located in Coeur d’Alene, the county seat. The court sits within Idaho’s First Judicial District alongside Benewah, Bonner, Boundary, and Shoshone Counties.

Not every estate requires formal probate. Under Idaho Code 15-3-1201, an estate made up entirely of personal property (no real estate) valued at $100,000 or less can be settled with a small estate affidavit at least 30 days after the date of death. For estates that do go through probate, Idaho requires a valid will to be signed by the person making it and witnessed by at least two people. Understanding which path applies to your situation is one of the first things we address in a consultation.

Serving Post Falls, Rathdrum, & the Surrounding Area

Our firm is based in Post Falls and Rathdrum and serves clients throughout Kootenai County, including Coeur d’Alene and Hayden. If you’re anywhere in the county and need an estate planning lawyer, we’re close by and ready to help.

Start Your Estate Plan with a Free Consultation

A complete estate plan doesn’t just help protect your assets. It can give your family clear instructions and help them navigate difficult decisions during an already hard time. We offer a free initial consultation so you can ask questions and understand your options before committing to anything.

Call Rathdrum & Post Falls Estate Planning at (208) 486-0120 or use our contact form to schedule your free consultation with a Kootenai County estate planning attorney today.