Football Season Is Underway!
Take our Estate Planning Championship quiz to see your score and discover how prepared your estate plan really is.
Why Choose FSB for Trust & Estate Planning
FSB provides you with a reliable, local partner to ensure your plan aligns with your wishes. We’ve served families and businesses in Marion, Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, and surrounding areas since 1927. Our trust officers take the time to understand your goals, walk through options, and coordinate with your legal and tax advisors.
FSB's Trust & Estate Planning Services
Preserve Your Legacy
Investment Services
Enjoy a seamless experience where your assets are the center of attention.
FSB’s Trust Officers will:
-
Meet with you to discuss your goals and needs
-
Customize portfolio management to your goals
-
Tailor income strategies and sound financial planning
Trustee & Executor Services
Envision a future where your legacy not only endures but flourishes.
FSB’s Trust Officers will:
-
Administer your trust or will according to your wishes
-
Ease the burden on loved ones with a dedicated team handling your affairs
-
Manage your trust and estate assets after you have passed
Estate Planning
Protect your legacy with an estate plan that prioritizes your interests.
FSB’s Trust Officers will:
-
Meet with you to discuss your estate planning goals
-
Ensure your current will or trust aligns with your wishes
-
Coordinate with your attorney and accountant for smooth planning
Charitable Trusts
Make an impact with confidence. FSB helps you support meaningful causes.
FSB’s Trust Officers will:
-
Structure gifts to align with your tax and estate plan
-
Administer charitable remainder or lead trusts
-
Ensure your legacy is honored and maintained over time
Planning for Blended Families
If you have children from more than one relationship, estate planning is critical.
FSB’s Trust Officers will:
-
Prevent unintentional disinheritance by structuring your plan carefully
-
Define how and when assets are distributed
-
Protect all heirs with clear terms to ensure fairness
Life Milestones & Updates
Keep your plan aligned with major life changes.
FSB’s Trust Officers will:
-
Walk through how key events affect your estate
-
Recommend updates to reflect your new needs
-
Coordinate plan changes with your legal and financial team
Business Trust Solutions
Protect your company’s future with trust services designed to reduce risk, ensure continuity,
and support succession.
Succession Planning
Your business is more than an asset; it’s your life’s work. A clear succession plan ensures it continues without unnecessary conflict or disruption.
We help you:
- Transfer ownership smoothly to chosen successors
- Avoid operational disruption during the transition
- Provide guidance and structure for future leadership
Trusts help clarify who is in charge, when changes take effect, and how responsibilities are divided.
Asset Protection & Tax Strategy
Without planning, your estate may face unnecessary taxes and risks. Trusts give you practical tools to safeguard what you’ve built.
Trusts can help you:
- Shield assets from lawsuits and creditors
- Minimize estate and gift taxes with strategic planning
- Retain control of your wealth and decisions during your lifetime
Maintain your business legacy, protect your family, and ensure your terms are fulfilled.
Partnership & Support for Your Business
We coordinate with your attorney, CPA, and business valuator to effectively structure and manage your trust. This collaborative approach ensures alignment and provides a clear plan crafted by professionals who understand your business and long-term objectives.
Benefits of Trust & Estate Planning
Setting up a trust offers:
FAQ: Trust & Estate Planning
Simple answers to help you understand the basics and know what to expect.
What is trust and estate planning?
Trust and estate planning is the process of organizing how your assets will be managed and distributed during your life and after death. It often includes creating legal documents such as wills, trusts, and powers of attorney.
The goal is to protect your property, reduce taxes, and provide clear instructions so your family and beneficiaries are cared for according to your wishes.
How much does it cost to set up a trust in Iowa?
The cost of creating a living trust depends on who prepares it. Online programs are usually under a few hundred dollars but often lack personal guidance. Hiring a private attorney typically starts at $1,000 and can rise with complexity.
At FSB, our Wealth Management team provides trust services as part of your overall estate plan, often at a lower cost than attorney-only options and with ongoing local support.
What is the benefit of having a trust in estate planning?
A trust allows you to transfer assets directly to your heirs without going through probate. This saves time, reduces court costs, and keeps your estate private. Trusts can also provide tax benefits, protect assets from creditors, and control how and when beneficiaries receive their inheritance. Many families use trusts to ensure their wishes are followed and to minimize stress on loved ones.
What is the difference between a trust and a will?
A will is a legal document that directs how your assets will be distributed after your death. A trust is a legal arrangement where a trustee manages assets for beneficiaries during your life and after death. Wills go through probate, while trusts can bypass probate entirely. Trusts also offer more privacy and flexibility, making them useful for larger or more complex estates.
How does probate affect my inheritance?
Probate is the court process that validates a will and oversees the distribution of assets. In Iowa, probate can take several months to over a year, depending on estate size and disputes. Court and attorney fees are paid from the estate, which can reduce the inheritance. Assets in a trust typically avoid probate, meaning beneficiaries receive them faster and with fewer costs.
Meet FSB's Trust Team
You’re never asked to hand something valuable to someone you don’t know. Why start now?
Joseph Gravert
VP, Senior Trust Officer
Joseph brings a legal and tax-focused perspective to FSB’s trust services. He’s helped clients navigate complex business transactions and tax strategies with clarity. His background in law and accounting adds depth to every financial conversation.
.jpg)
Chad Fesler
Trust Officer
Chad has been in banking, insurance, and financial services since 2004. His wealth management experience includes working with one of the world’s largest banks, where he specialized in financial planning and investments.
More Ways to Connect with a Wealth Specialist
Your Retirement, Your Way
Enjoy a customized approach to retirement planning, designed to help you achieve the future you want.
