WHAT TO EXPECT
OUR PLANNING PROCESS
WHAT TO EXPECT
OUR PLANNING PROCESS
We know legal planning can feel overwhelming — but it doesn’t have to be. At Plan Wise Legal, we guide you step-by-step so you feel informed, supported, and confident every step of the way.
We know legal planning can feel overwhelming — but it doesn’t have to be. At Plan Wise Legal, we guide you step-by-step so you feel informed, supported, and confident every step of the way.
WHAT TO EXPECT
OUR PLANNING PROCESS
We know legal planning can feel overwhelming — but it doesn’t have to be. At Plan Wise Legal, we guide you step-by-step so you feel informed, supported, and confident every step of the way.
OUR TEAM
PHONE
Partner
Kate Bartell Nowak
Licensed in South Dakota, Colorado, Nebraska, and Iowa
Kate Bartell Nowak is a dedicated estate planning attorney who helps individuals and families navigate some of life’s most important—and often complex—decisions with clarity and compassion. Kate brings a deep understanding of estate planning, elder law, trusts, wills, asset protection, special needs planning, and uncontested probates. Her practice also includes guiding clients through guardianships and conservatorships with empathy and practical insight.
Before focusing on estate planning, Kate served as in-house counsel for the Sioux Falls School District, where she developed a strong foundation in public service and employment law. She holds a J.D. from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law, a Master of Public Administration from the University of Colorado Denver, and a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Denver.
Kate’s approach is grounded in education and empowerment—she believes in making the law accessible and understandable so clients can make informed choices.
She is a member of the Colorado, South Dakota, Iowa, and Nebraska bar associations, as well as the American Bar Association and the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA).
When she’s not practicing law, Kate enjoys spending time with her husband, two kids, and their two dogs. She also loves reading, painting with watercolor, and traveling to new places.
PHONE
Partner
Ryan Fargen
Licensed in South Dakota, Iowa, Minnesota, and the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)
Ryan Fargen is a thoughtful and strategic attorney who helps individuals, families, and business owners plan for the future with clarity and confidence. His practice focuses on estate planning, business planning, and advising on the use and protection of intellectual property assets. Ryan works closely with clients to understand their goals to provide practical solutions tailored to their unique needs.
With a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering from Iowa State University and a Juris Doctor from the University of Kansas School of Law, Ryan brings an analytical and problem-solving mindset to his legal work. He approaches every matter with both technical insight and personal care, ensuring that clients feel informed and empowered throughout the process.
Originally from Brookings, South Dakota, Ryan is proud to serve his community and bring a forward-thinking perspective to traditional areas of the law. His work includes wills and trusts, asset protection, succession planning for business owners, and helping clients make the most of their intellectual property in a changing world.
Ryan’s philosophy on legal planning is to make a difficult discussion as enjoyable as possible, to work with the client to create a plan that provides peace of mind, and to build an ongoing relationship to help address the changes life throws at us.
He is a member of the South Dakota, Iowa, and Minnesota bar associations, as well as a registered practitioner with the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
When he’s not practicing law, Ryan enjoys golfing, reading, and spending time on amateur woodworking projects.
PHONE
Partner
Tye Wangberg
Licensed in South Dakota, Minnesota, and Nebraska
Tye Wangberg is a meticulous and strategic attorney who focuses in the areas of estate planning, business formations, business transactions, business and farm succession planning, real estate, and high net wealth planning. He has a genuine commitment to understanding his clients’ goals and providing expert guidance and unwavering support during every step of the process.
Tye holds a Masters of Laws in Taxation from Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law, a Juris Doctor from the University of South Dakota Knudson School of Law, a Master’s in Professional Accountancy from the University of South Dakota, and a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from the University of South Dakota. Along with his extensive educational background, Tye is also a Certified Mergers & Acquisition Advisor. His comprehensive background in law, taxation, and accounting equips him with the expertise to navigate complex legal matters with precision.
Tye’s approach is grounded in clarity and peace of mind—he believes in providing expert guidance to empower his clients to make decisions with clarity and peace of mind.
He is a member of the South Dakota, Nebraska, and Minnesota bar associations, as well as the American Bar Association.
When he is not practicing law, Tye enjoys spending time with family, and finds balance and renewal in activities like hiking, running, and staying physically active. He is also passionate about giving back to his community by serving as a member on various nonprofit boards, as a volunteer firefighter with his local fire department, and as a volunteer teacher at his church.