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Linn County, IA Probate Information
Quick facts
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Court | Iowa District Court for Linn County |
| Filing office | Linn County clerk of the district court |
| Courthouse address | Linn County Courthouse, 51 Third Avenue Bridge, Cedar Rapids, IA 52401, on May's Island |
| Mailing address | Use the published courthouse address. No separate clerk mailing address is published. |
| Phone | 319-398-3411. No separate probate line is published. |
| Fax | 319-398-3469, clerk's general fax |
| [email protected] | |
| Hours | The Linn County Courthouse is open 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, and the clerk's offices open at 8 a.m. The clerk's counter closing time is not published, so call before making a trip. |
| Filing fee | Iowa decedent-estate court costs use the statewide formula of 0.2% of the probate assets listed in the report and inventory, plus statutory flat items (Iowa Code 633.31). The clerk can tell you what will be charged in your estate. |
| Local forms | No Linn County decedent-estate form packet, cover sheet or checklist is published. |
| E-filing | EDMS is required for attorneys and self-represented filers, unless an exception is granted (Iowa Ct. R. 16.302). Registration is free and electronic filing adds no extra fee. |
| Case search | Iowa Courts Online provides free public docket search with no registration. The docket is an index; public case documents are read on a courthouse public access terminal. |
| Remote appearance | Iowa proceedings are presumed in person. A party asks for remote appearance by motion, decided case by case (Iowa Ct. R. 15.302). |
| Website | https://www.iowacourts.gov/iowa-courts/district-court/judicial-district-6/district/6/county/linn |
Before you begin — know the assets and liabilities
Before you file anything in Linn County, identify the assets, debts, account ownership and beneficiary designations. That matters because Iowa court costs are tied to probate assets in the report and inventory, and because the right estate settlement path depends on what the estate actually contains.
Also decide whether you can use EDMS before you plan a courthouse trip. Iowa requires electronic filing even for self-represented filers, unless an exception is granted, and Sunset's 2,300-institution asset discovery helps families build the financial picture before choosing the filing route.
Which court handles jurisdiction
Probate for Linn County is filed with the Linn County clerk of the district court at the Linn County Courthouse, 51 Third Avenue Bridge on May's Island in Cedar Rapids. The case is in the Iowa District Court for Linn County, which sits in Iowa's Sixth Judicial District.
The Sixth Judicial District also includes Benton, Iowa, Johnson, Jones and Tama Counties, but that district grouping is not a shared filing counter. A Linn County estate is filed in Cedar Rapids. Iowa venue is based on the county where the decedent resided at death, or, for a nonresident, the county where Iowa property is located or later brought (Iowa Code 633.12).
Linn County covers Cedar Rapids, Marion, Hiawatha, Mount Vernon, Lisbon and surrounding communities. Linn County has one clerk of court office for probate filing purposes, and no second probate counter is published.
The jurisdiction process
- Gather the death certificate and the original will. Anyone holding the will must deliver it to the court after learning of the death (Iowa Code 633.285).
- Choose the Iowa route before filing. Some estates use the affidavit for distribution of property under Iowa Code 633.356, some use small estate administration under chapter 635, some use probate of a will without administration, and some need full chapter 633 administration.
- Register for EDMS, or ask the Linn County clerk of court how to request an exception from electronic filing (Iowa Ct. R. 16.302).
- E-file the petition with the Linn County clerk of the district court. If the court has excused you from electronic filing, take the paper filing to the clerk's counter at the Linn County Courthouse on May's Island while the clerk's office is open.
- Scan and e-file the original will. After electronic filing, the paper original may be submitted to the clerk for non-electronic preservation (Iowa Ct. R. 16.411).
- File the oath and any required bond. The clerk issues letters testamentary or letters of administration in a chapter 633 estate after the required filings, and issues letters of appointment in a chapter 635 small estate (Iowa Code 633.178; Iowa Code 635.1).
- Publish notice once a week for two consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation in Linn County, and mail required notice to the surviving spouse, heirs, devisees and known creditors (Iowa Code 633.230; Iowa Code 633.304).
- File the report and inventory with the clerk. Court costs are assessed under Iowa Code 633.31, and in the Sixth Judicial District an allowance to a referee in probate may be taxed by the clerk as an additional estate cost.
- Handle claims filed with the clerk under Iowa Code 633.410, then collect assets, pay approved expenses and distribute what remains.
- Close the estate. A chapter 635 small estate closes by closing statement and clerk discharge under Iowa Code 635.8; a chapter 633 estate closes by final report and the court's order approving it and discharging the personal representative.
Forms and documents
Probate forms in Linn County
Linn County does not publish a decedent-estate probate packet, cover sheet or checklist. The Sixth Judicial District also does not publish a fill-in packet for opening or administering a decedent's estate in Linn County.
Iowa's court forms page includes some probate-category forms for other matters, such as adult guardianship and conservatorship, but that is not a form set for settling a decedent's estate. A self-represented filer must draft the petition, report and inventory, and notices from the statutory requirements or work with a lawyer.
The Sixth Judicial District does have an approved local probate rule about a referee in probate and fees. That rule affects costs and review of reports, but it is not a form packet.
Fees
In addition to Iowa Code 633.31 court costs, a Linn County estate can be affected by the Sixth Judicial District's standing order on a referee in probate. Under that March 9, 2018 order, the clerk of court or the clerk's designee in each county of the district is appointed as referee in probate for probate matters in that county, unless a judge of the district has made another appointment.
The order says the referee allowance is taxed by the clerk as part of the estate's costs and is in addition to the costs charged under Iowa Code 633.31. The published schedule is a graduated allowance keyed to the gross assets listed in the probate inventory, with endpoints of $15.00 and $100.00 under the March 9, 2018 order and Iowa Code 633.21. Because the order predates the end of Iowa inheritance tax for deaths on or after January 1, 2025 (Iowa Code 450.98), ask the Linn County clerk how the allowance is applied in the estate you are filing.
Electronic filing does not add a separate Iowa court system fee. If you cannot afford court fees, ask the clerk about filing an Application to Defer Costs, which a judge decides.
Local nuance
Linn County-specific considerations
- The Linn County Courthouse is on May's Island in the Cedar River in downtown Cedar Rapids, at 51 Third Avenue Bridge. The court's directions place it on the south side of 3rd Avenue, and everyone entering must pass through a metal detector.
- The building opens before the clerk's offices do. Linn County publishes courthouse hours as 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, with the clerk's offices opening at 8 a.m. The clerk's counter closing time is not published, so call 319-398-3411 before bringing paper under an e-filing exception.
- Not every Cedar Rapids court address is the probate filing counter. The Juvenile Court Office is at a separate Cedar Rapids address, and Linn County's general government address is not the courthouse. Probate filings go to the courthouse on May's Island.
- The clerk publishes direct extensions for some internal divisions, but no separate probate extension. Use the main clerk number, 319-398-3411, for probate filing questions.
- The Sixth Judicial District's 2026 schedule holds district court sessions and motion days in Linn County Monday through Friday. That means court sits here every weekday, but it is not a published probate hearing schedule. Most Iowa probate is handled on the papers unless an objection, contested matter or court order creates the need for a hearing.
Recent updates
| Change | What it means in Linn County |
|---|---|
| Sixth Judicial District 2026 court and motion days | The district schedule dated January 29, 2026 lists district court sessions and motion days in Linn County Monday through Friday. This is when court sits in the county, not a guaranteed probate hearing schedule. |
| Iowa affidavit amount changed effective July 1, 2026 | The affidavit for distribution of property under Iowa Code 633.356 now applies to qualifying personal-property estates of $100,000 or less, with no interest in real estate, effective July 1, 2026 (Iowa Code 633.356). |
| Report and inventory deadline changed effective July 1, 2026 | The report and inventory deadline is now 120 days after qualification, unless the court grants more time (Iowa Code 633.361). |
| Iowa inheritance tax ended for newer deaths | Iowa imposes no inheritance tax on estates of people who died on or after January 1, 2025 (Iowa Code 450.98). |
Page last reviewed: August 2026.
Scenarios
| Situation | Likely Linn County path | Where Sunset helps |
|---|---|---|
| Surviving spouse with a co-owned home | Start with title to the Cedar Rapids or Marion home. Joint tenancy property passes outside the estate and is excluded from the Iowa Code 633.31 cost base. If the home passes outside probate and the remaining assets fit a no-court route, there may be no Linn County case to file. If a case is needed, it is filed with the Linn County clerk through EDMS (Iowa Ct. R. 16.302). | Sunset traces accounts, policies and debts so the spouse can see what is in the estate and what passes outside it. |
| Out-of-state adult child with a small estate | Much of the work can be handled without traveling to Cedar Rapids because EDMS registration and filing are online (Iowa Ct. R. 16.302), and Iowa Courts Online provides free docket search. The affidavit route depends on there being no interest in real estate under Iowa Code 633.356. If a personal representative who lives outside Iowa is needed, qualification runs through a court order under Iowa Code 633.64. | Sunset builds the asset picture and helps assemble the probate packet remotely, so the child is not traveling just to learn what the estate contains. |
| Parent settling a predeceased child's estate, home must be sold | A house rules out the no-court affidavit route, so this is a Linn County court case. The parent will need authority from the court process before selling Linn County real estate, and costs should be planned around the Iowa Code 633.31 percentage formula plus any Sixth Judicial District referee in probate allowance. | Sunset helps identify mortgages, liens, accounts and debts before the property is priced and before the report and inventory is filed. |
Self-help resources
| Resource | How it helps | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Linn County clerk of the district court | Takes probate filings for Linn County, issues letters and answers procedural questions. Court employees cannot give legal advice, choose the case for you or complete forms for you. | 319-398-3411; fax 319-398-3469; [email protected]; 51 Third Avenue Bridge, Cedar Rapids, IA 52401 |
| Iowa Legal Aid | Free civil legal help for income-eligible Iowans, subject to eligibility and case priorities. | 1-800-532-1275 |
| Iowa Free Legal Answers | Virtual clinic where an income-eligible Iowan can post a civil legal question for a volunteer Iowa attorney. | https://iowa.freelegalanswers.org |
| Iowa Find-A-Lawyer | Iowa State Bar Association lawyer directory searchable by practice area, county and city, with reduced-fee initial consultations from participating lawyers. | https://www.iowabar.org |
| Application to Defer Costs | Fee postponement request filed with the clerk and decided by a judge, with a free guided interview through Iowa Interactive Court Forms. | https://www.iowacourts.gov/for-the-public/representing-yourself/civil-court-fees/ |
| Iowa Courts Online | Free public docket search for Linn County cases. Public documents are read on a courthouse public access terminal. | https://www.iowacourts.state.ia.us/ESAWebApp/DefaultFrame |
| Disability accommodation for a Linn County court proceeding | Requests go through the district administration office for Linn County. | 319-398-3920 |
When to hire an attorney
Consider a Linn County probate attorney if the will is contested, an heir cannot be found, the estate may be insolvent, there is a business interest, Iowa farmland, a Medicaid recovery issue, or a Cedar Rapids or Marion home that must be sold before the estate closes. The practical reason is simple: Iowa and Linn County do not provide a fill-in decedent-estate packet, so the petition, report and inventory, and notices must be drafted from the statutes and court rules. Sunset connects the family to a vetted local probate attorney.
How Sunset helps
Find the accounts and assets. Sunset helps identify bank accounts, investment accounts, insurance, retirement assets, debts and property so the family can choose the right estate settlement path before filing in Linn County.
Generate the probate packet. Sunset turns the asset picture and family information into an organized packet for the Iowa District Court for Linn County or for an attorney to review.
Find a local probate attorney. When the estate needs legal help, Sunset can connect the family with a vetted probate attorney who understands Linn County practice and Iowa EDMS filing under Iowa Ct. R. 16.302.
Sunset is free for families. Families can use Sunset to organize estate settlement, understand next steps and get matched with help without paying Sunset a fee.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file probate in Linn County?
File with the Linn County clerk of the district court at the Linn County Courthouse, 51 Third Avenue Bridge on May's Island in Cedar Rapids, in the Iowa District Court for Linn County. Most filings are made through EDMS (Iowa Ct. R. 16.302). The courthouse counter is for a paper filing only if the court has excused you from electronic filing.
Is the Linn County Courthouse really on an island?
Yes. The courthouse stands on May's Island in the Cedar River in downtown Cedar Rapids, and the court directions place it on the south side of 3rd Avenue. Everyone entering passes through a metal detector, and weapons are not allowed.
When is the Linn County clerk of court office open?
Linn County publishes the courthouse as open from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, with the clerk's offices opening at 8 a.m. The clerk's counter closing time is not published, so call 319-398-3411 before making a trip.
Do I have to e-file a Linn County probate case?
Yes, unless the court excuses you. Iowa requires EDMS filing for attorneys and self-represented filers (Iowa Ct. R. 16.302). Ask the clerk for the request form if you need an exception, and file the written request in the case. There is no additional fee for electronic filing.
What does it cost to open probate in Linn County?
There is no flat local opening price to quote. Iowa uses the 0.2% court-cost formula tied to probate assets in the report and inventory, plus statutory flat items (Iowa Code 633.31). In Linn County, the Sixth Judicial District's March 9, 2018 referee in probate order may add an allowance taxed as a cost of the estate, with published endpoints of $15.00 and $100.00 under that order and Iowa Code 633.21. Ask the clerk what will be charged in your estate.
Does Linn County have its own probate forms?
No Linn County decedent-estate form packet, cover sheet or checklist is published. Iowa also does not provide a fill-in packet for settling a decedent's estate. Some Iowa probate-category forms are for guardianship or conservatorship, not for a decedent's estate.
Is there a direct phone number for probate questions in Linn County?
No separate probate extension is published. Linn County lists extensions for other clerk functions, but probate filing questions should go to the main clerk number, 319-398-3411. Court employees can answer procedural questions, but they cannot give legal advice or complete forms for you.
Will there be a hearing, and can I attend by video?
Most Iowa probate is handled on the papers filed with the clerk. A hearing can happen if someone objects, if a contested matter arises or if the court orders one. District court sessions and motion days are held in Linn County Monday through Friday, but Iowa proceedings are presumed in person and remote appearance requires a motion decided case by case (Iowa Ct. R. 15.302).
Can I look up a Linn County probate case online?
Yes. Iowa Courts Online provides free public docket search with no registration. The docket is an index of filings and proceedings. Public case documents are read on a public access terminal at the Linn County Courthouse.
Do I have to travel to Cedar Rapids to settle an estate here?
Often, no. EDMS registration and filing are online (Iowa Ct. R. 16.302), and the docket can be searched from anywhere. Reasons to come to the courthouse include filing paper after an e-filing exception, reading public case documents on the courthouse terminal, or attending a hearing the court sets.
Shaped by the families we've helped
Thank you to the thousands of families who have trusted Sunset to help settle their loved ones' estates. This page is shaped by the questions they actually asked and the obstacles they actually hit — and that hard-won experience is what keeps it accurate, current, and genuinely useful to the families who come next.