Iowa Probate Information
Quick facts
| Topic | Iowa rule | Cite |
|---|---|---|
| Court structure | Probate is handled in the Iowa District Court. Iowa has one district court in every county, organized into eight judicial districts for administration. | Iowa Code 602.6101; Iowa Code 633.10 |
| Where to file | File in the county where the person lived at death. For a nonresident, file in the Iowa county where the property is located or later brought. | Iowa Code 633.12 |
| Filing office | The filing office is the clerk of the district court. The clerk issues letters, and in chapter 635 small estate administration the clerk issues letters of appointment and can convert and close the estate without a court order. | Iowa Code 633.3(8); Iowa Code 633.178; Iowa Code 635.1; Iowa Code 635.7; Iowa Code 635.8 |
| Court costs | The main court cost is 0.2% of the value of the probate assets listed in the report and inventory, plus the flat items listed in Iowa Code 633.31. Iowa county clerks use the statewide statutory formula. | Iowa Code 633.31 |
| Fee waiver | A person who cannot afford fees can file an Application to Defer Costs, and a judge decides whether to postpone fees. | Iowa Judicial Branch civil court fees page |
| Affidavit route | The affidavit for distribution of property applies when probate assets consist only of personal property, with no interest in real estate, and the gross value of that personal property is $100,000 or less, effective July 1, 2026. | Iowa Code 633.356; 2026 Iowa Acts ch. 1048 |
| Small estate administration | Chapter 635 small estate administration applies when the gross value of probate assets subject to Iowa jurisdiction does not exceed $200,000, effective July 1, 2020. | Iowa Code 635.1; 2018 Iowa Acts ch. 1140 |
| Will without administration | Iowa allows probate of a will without administration. The flat court cost is $15, and notice is governed by Iowa Code 633.305. | Iowa Code 633.31(2)(b); Iowa Code 633.305 |
| Creditor claims | Claims are filed with the clerk by the later of four months after the second publication of notice or one month after mailing to a reasonably ascertainable creditor. Medicaid recovery has its own six-month rule. | Iowa Code 633.410 |
| Statewide probate forms | Iowa does not publish a statewide probate form packet for a decedent's estate. The statewide forms library's Probate category contains the referee's report, not a family petition packet. | Iowa Ct. R. 7.4 |
| E-filing | EDMS e-filing is required statewide for attorneys and self-represented filers. A self-represented person can ask for a one-time paper filing exception or a case-long exception for good cause. | Iowa Ct. R. 16.302 |
| Case search | Iowa Courts Online provides free public docket access for all 99 counties with no registration or subscription. The docket is an index; public case documents are viewed at a courthouse public access terminal. | Iowa Courts Online |
| Remote appearance | Iowa proceedings are presumed in person. A party seeking a remote appearance files a motion, and the judge applies the factors in rule 15.302. | Iowa Ct. R. 15.102; Iowa Ct. R. 15.302 |
| Iowa tax | Iowa imposes no inheritance tax on the estate of anyone who died on or after January 1, 2025, and Iowa has never had, and does not have, a state estate tax. | Iowa Code 450.98 |
Before you begin — know the assets and liabilities
Before you choose an Iowa probate route, identify what the person owned, how each asset was titled, what each asset is worth and what is owed. In Iowa, that asset picture determines whether the affidavit for distribution of property under Iowa Code 633.356 is available, whether chapter 635 small estate administration fits, and how the 0.2% court cost under Iowa Code 633.31 will be calculated from the report and inventory.
The same asset list also shows what may be outside probate altogether. Joint tenancy property, lifetime transfers, and life insurance, annuities, retirement accounts, transfer on death accounts and payable on death accounts payable to someone other than the estate are excluded from the Iowa Code 633.31 court-cost base. Sunset's estate settlement process helps families find accounts across more than 2,300 financial institutions before choosing the path.
Which court handles probate
Iowa probate is organized statewide through the Iowa District Court, a unified trial court with probate jurisdiction. There is a district court and a clerk of the district court in every Iowa county, and the eight judicial districts are administrative groupings rather than shared filing counters (Iowa Code 602.6101; Iowa Code 633.10).
Venue is county based. The estate of an Iowa resident is administered in the county where the person lived at death. If the person lived outside Iowa but left property in an Iowa county, or property is later brought into an Iowa county, the estate is administered in that Iowa county (Iowa Code 633.12). County pages identify the courthouse, clerk contact and any local filing practice for that county.
The probate process
- Gather the certified death certificate, the original will if one exists, asset values, title information and debts. Anyone holding the will who learns of the death must deliver it to the court with jurisdiction over the estate (Iowa Code 633.285).
- Choose the route: the Iowa Code 633.356 affidavit for qualifying personal property only; chapter 635 small estate administration; probate of a will without administration; or full administration under chapter 633.
- Register for EDMS or ask the clerk of court for the exception request form if you cannot reasonably file electronically. Iowa requires EDMS electronic filing for self-represented filers as well as attorneys, with exceptions under Iowa Ct. R. 16.302.
- E-file the petition with the clerk of the district court in the proper county under Iowa Code 633.12. If a will is involved, scan and e-file the original will, keep the paper original until the estate concludes, and, after e-filing, you may submit the paper original to the clerk for preservation (Iowa Ct. R. 16.411(1)).
- After the required oath or certification and any required bond, the clerk issues letters testamentary or letters of administration in a chapter 633 estate (Iowa Code 633.178). In a chapter 635 small estate, the clerk issues letters of appointment for administration (Iowa Code 635.1).
- As soon as letters issue, publish notice once each week for two consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation published in the county where the estate is pending, and mail notice to known creditors. In a testate estate, also mail notice to the surviving spouse, each heir and each devisee whose identities are reasonably ascertainable (Iowa Code 633.230; Iowa Code 633.304).
- File the verified report and inventory with the clerk within 120 days after qualification unless the court grants more time. The report and inventory identifies the people and property and is the document used to calculate the 0.2% court cost under Iowa Code 633.31 (Iowa Code 633.361).
- Pay the Iowa Code 633.31 court costs and any applicable flat items. Claims are filed with the clerk by the later of four months after the second publication of notice or one month after notice is mailed to a reasonably ascertainable creditor (Iowa Code 633.410).
- Administer the assets, address allowed claims, make distributions and keep the case moving. A missed report or inventory can trigger clerk notice and referral to the presiding judge (Iowa Code 633.32; Iowa Ct. R. 7.6).
- Close the estate. In a chapter 635 small estate, the personal representative files a sworn closing statement and the clerk closes the estate without a court order (Iowa Code 635.8). In a chapter 633 estate, the personal representative files a final report and obtains the court's order approving it and discharging the personal representative.
Types of probate
| Route | Ceiling | Effective date | Court case? | Who issues authority | Cite |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Affidavit for distribution of property | $100,000 of personal property, and the probate assets must consist only of personal property with no interest in real estate | July 1, 2026 | No. The affidavit is presented to the holder of the property. | Nobody. The statute says the affidavit is used without procuring letters of appointment. | Iowa Code 633.356; 2026 Iowa Acts ch. 1048 |
| Small estate administration | $200,000 gross value of probate assets subject to Iowa jurisdiction | July 1, 2020 | Yes. It is a court case with a personal representative. | The clerk of the district court issues letters of appointment for administration. | Iowa Code 635.1; 2018 Iowa Acts ch. 1140 |
| Probate of a will without administration | None stated | No dated change stated | Yes. It admits the will without present administration of the estate. | None. | Iowa Code 633.31(2)(b); Iowa Code 633.305 |
| Full administration | None | No dated change stated | Yes. | The clerk issues letters testamentary or letters of administration after the court's order and the required oath or certification and any required bond. | Iowa Code chapter 633; Iowa Code 633.178 |
Executor duties
Executor duties in Iowa
| Duty | What it means in Iowa | Cite |
|---|---|---|
| Deliver the will | Anyone holding the will must deliver it to the court once informed of the death. Willful refusal after a court order can be contempt. | Iowa Code 633.285 |
| Qualify and take the letters | File the oath of office or certification and any required bond. The clerk of the district court then issues the letters. | Iowa Code 633.178 |
| E-file | Use EDMS or request an exception. Iowa's e-filing requirement reaches self-represented filers. | Iowa Ct. R. 16.302 |
| Handle the original will | Scan and e-file the will, keep the paper original until the estate concludes, produce it on request, and optionally submit it to the clerk for preservation. | Iowa Ct. R. 16.411(1) |
| Publish and mail notice | Publish notice once each week for two consecutive weeks and mail notice to known creditors. In a testate estate, also mail notice to the surviving spouse, each heir and each devisee whose identities are reasonably ascertainable. | Iowa Code 633.230; Iowa Code 633.304 |
| File the report and inventory | File a verified report and inventory with the clerk within 120 days after qualification unless the court grants more time. | Iowa Code 633.361 |
| Pay court costs | Pay the 0.2% court cost on the value of the probate assets listed in the report and inventory, plus applicable Iowa Code 633.31 flat items. | Iowa Code 633.31 |
| Handle claims | Claims are filed with the clerk. The bar runs to the later of four months after second publication or one month after mailing to a reasonably ascertainable creditor. | Iowa Code 633.410 |
| Keep the case moving | A delinquent report or inventory triggers clerk notice and possible referral to the presiding judge. If a final report is not filed within eighteen months after the second publication of notice to creditors, file an interlocutory report. | Iowa Code 633.32; Iowa Ct. R. 7.6; Iowa Ct. R. 7.7 |
| Ask for fees in writing | Requests for personal representative or attorney fees are written and verified. Ordinary fees are capped by the statutory schedule. | Iowa Code 633.197; Iowa Code 633.198; Iowa Ct. R. 7.2 |
| Close the estate | In a chapter 635 small estate, file the sworn closing statement and the clerk closes the estate without a court order. In a chapter 633 estate, file the final report and obtain the court's order approving it and discharging the personal representative. | Iowa Code 635.8; Iowa Code chapter 633 |
Forms and documents
Probate forms in Iowa
Iowa does not publish a statewide probate form packet for a decedent's estate. The Iowa Judicial Branch Court Forms library has a Probate category, but that category contains the rule 7.4 referee's report, which is the report a referee in probate files with the court. It is not a petition, notice packet, report and inventory form or family filing packet.
The mandatory statewide forms in Iowa Court Rules chapter 7 are adult guardianship forms and conservatorship forms, not decedent's estate forms. Iowa Interactive Court Forms covers domestic abuse, elder abuse, sexual abuse, child support modification, name change, divorce, defer payment of costs, small claims and expungement; it does not cover probate. The fee-waiver interview for an Application to Defer Costs is the interactive form a probate filer may be able to use.
A self-represented Iowa filer works from the petition provisions in Iowa Code 633.291 and 633.292, the small estate petition requirements in Iowa Code 635.2, the report and inventory requirements in Iowa Code 633.361, and the notice provisions in Iowa Code 633.230, 633.231, 633.304, 633.304A and 633.305. Statutory wording is not the same as a fill-in packet, so many families use an Iowa probate attorney to prepare the filings.
A district court rule of probate and administration is not valid until filed with the clerk of the supreme court and approved by that court (Iowa Ct. R. 7.3). County pages cover any approved local rule or informational cover sheet that a particular county publishes.
Fees
Iowa court costs for probate are statewide and statutory. For a decedent's estate administered under chapter 633 or chapter 635, the clerk charges court costs equal to 0.2% of the value of the probate assets listed in the report and inventory (Iowa Code 633.31). The same formula applies in full administration and in chapter 635 small estate administration.
| Cost item | Iowa rule | Cite |
|---|---|---|
| Percentage court cost | 0.2% of the value of the probate assets listed in the report and inventory. | Iowa Code 633.31 |
| Excluded from that base | Joint tenancy property; property transferred during life; life insurance, annuities, retirement accounts, transfer on death accounts, payable on death accounts and similar assets payable to beneficiaries other than the estate; and real estate outside Iowa. | Iowa Code 633.31 |
| Short form probate for older deaths | $15 for services performed in short form probates under sections 450.22 and 450.44 for deaths before January 1, 2025. | Iowa Code 633.31; Iowa Code 450.98 |
| Probate of will without administration | $15. | Iowa Code 633.31(2)(b) |
| Filing and indexing a transcript | $50. | Iowa Code 633.31 |
| Taking and approving a bond | $20. | Iowa Code 633.31 |
| Entering a rule or order | $10. | Iowa Code 633.31 |
| Certificate and seal | $10. | Iowa Code 633.31 |
| Complete record where real estate is sold | $.20 per 100 words. | Iowa Code 633.31 |
| Transcript or copies of orders or records filed in the clerk's office | $.50 per 100 words. | Iowa Code 633.31 |
| Certifying change of title | $20. | Iowa Code 633.31 |
| Issuing commission to appraisers | $2. | Iowa Code 633.31 |
The personal representative's and the attorney's ordinary fees are also controlled statewide. The court sets a reasonable ordinary fee, not exceeding six percent of the first one thousand dollars, four percent of the next four thousand, and two percent of everything above five thousand (Iowa Code 633.197, 633.198). In a chapter 635 small estate, the personal representative's fee shall not exceed three percent of the gross value of the probate assets unless services are itemized, and the attorney is paid reasonable fees approved by the court or agreed in writing by the time the report and inventory is filed (Iowa Code 635.8(4)).
Where a referee in probate is appointed, referee fees are taxed and collected by the clerk as other costs, in addition to the Iowa Code 633.31 costs (Iowa Ct. R. 7.5). A person who cannot afford fees can ask to postpone them by filing an Application to Defer Costs with the clerk, and a judge decides the request.
Timeline
- Affidavit route: the Iowa Code 633.356 affidavit for distribution of property is available only after forty days have passed since death, if the property and value requirements are met.
- Report and inventory: the personal representative files the verified report and inventory with the clerk within 120 days after qualification unless the court grants more time (Iowa Code 633.361). The deadline was extended effective July 1, 2026; Iowa Code 633.356 was also amended effective July 1, 2026.
- Claims: a claim is barred unless filed with the clerk by the later of four months after the second publication of notice or one month after notice was mailed to a reasonably ascertainable creditor (Iowa Code 633.410). Medicaid-recovery claims use the six-month rule in Iowa Code 633.410.
- Delinquent filings: on June 1 and December 1 each year, the clerk gives notice of a delinquent inventory or report; sixty days later the matter goes to the presiding judge if still unresolved (Iowa Code 633.32; Iowa Ct. R. 7.6).
- Chapter 635 small estate closing: interested parties have thirty days from service of the closing statement to object and request a hearing. The clerk closes the estate on proof of service and proof of distribution, or sixty days after the closing statement and proof of service are filed, whichever is earlier (Iowa Code 635.8).
- Chapter 635 small estate status reports: if no closing statement is filed within twelve months after the letter of appointment, the personal representative files an interlocutory report, and then every six months (Iowa Code 635.8).
- Ordinary estate status reports: if the final report is not filed within eighteen months after the second publication of notice to creditors, the personal representative files an interlocutory report identifying the work remaining and estimating when it will be completed (Iowa Ct. R. 7.7).
State-specific considerations
California uses statewide Judicial Council forms (the DE-series). The same forms apply in all 58 counties, although counties may add local cover sheets. Los Angeles requires LASC PRO 010.
| Iowa feature | Why it matters | Cite |
|---|---|---|
| Clerk powers | The clerk of the district court is more than a filing counter in Iowa. The clerk issues letters, and in chapter 635 small estate administration the clerk issues letters of appointment, converts an estate to or from the small estate track and closes the estate without a court order. | Iowa Code 633.22; Iowa Code 633.178; Iowa Code 635.1; Iowa Code 635.7; Iowa Code 635.8 |
| Referee in probate | Iowa law allows a chief judge to appoint a referee in probate to audit fiduciary accounts and perform prescribed ministerial duties. Where a referee in probate is appointed, referee fees are taxed and collected by the clerk in addition to Iowa Code 633.31 costs. | Iowa Code 633.20; Iowa Ct. R. 7.4; Iowa Ct. R. 7.5 |
| Associate probate judge | Associate probate judge is a real Iowa statutory office, but the state page does not identify any particular county or district as having one. | Iowa Code 633.20D |
| Two county seats | In a county with two county seats, court is held at each county seat. Lee County is the state-level example; the Lee County page carries the local offices. | Iowa Code 602.6105(2) |
| Judicial districts | Iowa's eight judicial districts are administrative. They do not move the filing counter away from the county where venue belongs. | Iowa Code 602.6103; Iowa Code 602.6105 |
| Local probate rules | A district court rule of probate and administration is not valid until filed with the clerk of the supreme court and approved by that court. | Iowa Ct. R. 7.3 |
Small-estate alternatives
Iowa has two separate smaller-estate paths, and they should not be merged. The affidavit for distribution of property under Iowa Code 633.356 is the no-court route for qualifying personal property only. Chapter 635 small estate administration is a court case with a personal representative.
Chapter 635 applies when the gross value of the probate assets subject to Iowa jurisdiction does not exceed $200,000, effective July 1, 2020 (Iowa Code 635.1; 2018 Iowa Acts ch. 1140). On a proper petition, the clerk of the district court issues letters of appointment for administration to the proposed personal representative if the person is qualified or qualifies by court order (Iowa Code 635.1).
A chapter 635 estate closes by sworn closing statement. Interested parties have thirty days from service to object and request a hearing; if no action or proceeding is pending, the estate is distributed according to the closing statement, and the clerk closes the estate without order of the court (Iowa Code 635.8). The personal representative's fee shall not exceed three percent of the gross value of the probate assets unless services are itemized (Iowa Code 635.8(4)).
Small estate administration does not shorten the Iowa creditor period and does not create a discounted court cost. Notice has the same force and effect as in chapter 633 (Iowa Code 635.13), and the 0.2% court-cost formula applies to estates under chapter 633 or chapter 635 (Iowa Code 633.31).
Recent updates
| Change | What changed |
|---|---|
| Affidavit ceiling raised and test rewritten | The affidavit for distribution of property now reaches an estate whose probate assets consist only of personal property, with no interest in real estate, where the gross value of that personal property is $100,000 or less, effective July 1, 2026 (Iowa Code 633.356; 2026 Iowa Acts ch. 1048). |
| Report and inventory deadline extended | The personal representative now files the report and inventory with the clerk within 120 days after qualification, raised from the prior period, effective July 1, 2026 (Iowa Code 633.361, as amended by 2026 HF 2532; Iowa Code 633.356 was also amended in that session). |
| Inheritance tax ended | Iowa imposes no inheritance tax on the estate of anyone who died on or after January 1, 2025, and the tax is repealed to that extent. Iowa has no state estate tax (Iowa Code 450.98). |
Page last reviewed: August 2026.
Scenarios
| Scenario | Iowa path | Where Sunset helps |
|---|---|---|
| Surviving spouse with a co-owned home | Start with title. Joint tenancy property is excluded from the Iowa Code 633.31 court-cost base. If the home was in the deceased spouse's name alone, a court route is needed, and the Iowa Code 633.356 affidavit is not available because that route requires probate assets to consist only of personal property with no interest in real estate. | Sunset helps identify how the home and accounts were titled, separates probate from non-probate assets, and builds the estate settlement checklist before papers are prepared. |
| Out-of-state adult child with a small estate | If the probate assets consist only of personal property with no interest in real estate and the gross value is $100,000 or less, the Iowa Code 633.356 affidavit may work after forty days. Otherwise, chapter 635 small estate administration may fit if probate assets do not exceed $200,000 under Iowa Code 635.1. A nonresident personal representative can serve by court order under Iowa Code 633.64, and EDMS filing under Iowa Ct. R. 16.302 reaches out-of-state filers. | Sunset helps find accounts, estimate values, determine whether the affidavit route is realistic, and connect the family with Iowa counsel if court authority is needed. |
| Parent settling a predeceased child's estate, home must be sold | The affidavit route is unavailable because the estate includes an interest in real estate. The parent needs letters, either through chapter 635 small estate administration if the $200,000 ceiling in Iowa Code 635.1 fits, or through full chapter 633 administration. The court cost is 0.2% of probate assets listed in the report and inventory under Iowa Code 633.31, and real estate outside Iowa is excluded from that cost base. | Sunset helps gather the property picture, prepare the probate packet, flag the need for letters before sale activity, and connect the family with a local probate attorney. |
Self-help resources
| Resource | How it helps | Limits |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Legal Aid | Statewide free civil legal help for low-income and vulnerable Iowans. Apply by calling 1-800-532-1275 on weekdays or through its online intake. | Eligibility and case-type priorities apply. Ask during intake whether it can take a probate or estate matter. |
| Iowa Free Legal Answers | A virtual civil legal clinic where qualifying Iowans post a question and a volunteer Iowa attorney responds by email. | Volunteer attorneys do not call you and do not represent you in court. Its published topic list does not include probate or estates. |
| Iowa Find-A-Lawyer | The Iowa State Bar Association's lawyer directory is searchable by practice area, county and city. Probate is a listed practice area, and participating lawyers offer a reduced-fee initial consultation of up to thirty minutes. | It is a referral directory, not representation by itself. |
| Application to Defer Costs | If you cannot afford court fees, file a written Application to Defer Costs with the clerk of court. A judge decides whether to postpone fees, and Iowa Interactive Court Forms has a free interview for that application. | Postponing fees is not the same as eliminating every cost. Follow the order the judge enters. |
| Legal Hotline for Older Iowans | A free legal service for Iowans age sixty and over. Published contacts are (800) 992-8161, (515) 282-8161 and [email protected]. | Use its own intake process and ask whether it covers probate questions. |
| Iowa Courts Online | Free public docket search for all 99 counties with no registration and no subscription. | The docket is an index of filings and proceedings. Public case documents are viewed at a courthouse public access terminal in the county where the case was filed. |
| Iowa Judicial Branch Court Directory | County-by-county contact records for the clerk of the district court offices across Iowa. | Use it for courthouse contact information. Court staff can provide information, but questions about what case to file, what forms to use or how to complete forms go to an attorney. |
| Court Navigator | An Iowa Judicial Branch appointment service that helps self-represented people with listed civil case types, electronic filing and basic civil court information. | Probate is not on its published case-type list, and navigators are not lawyers. |
When to hire an attorney
An Iowa probate attorney makes sense when the estate includes real estate to sell, a dispute, a nonresident fiduciary, a possible chapter 635 conversion, a fee request, or uncertainty about which route fits. The strongest practical reason is that Iowa does not publish a statewide probate form packet for a decedent's estate and its free interactive form program does not cover probate, so a self-represented filer drafts from statutes and rules. The clerk can provide information, but the Iowa Judicial Branch says questions about what case to file, what forms to use and how to complete forms require an attorney. In a disputed estate proceeding, Iowa Code 633.163 also allows the court to award costs, attorney fees and other expenses as equity and justice may require. Sunset connects the family to a vetted attorney.
How Sunset helps in Iowa
Find the accounts and assets. Iowa estate settlement starts with the asset picture. Sunset helps identify bank, brokerage, retirement and insurance accounts, plus title and beneficiary clues, so you can tell what is probate property and what passes outside the estate.
Generate the probate packet. Iowa does not provide a statewide decedent's estate form packet. Sunset organizes the information needed for the petition, notices, report and inventory, and closing papers so the family and attorney can move faster.
Find a local probate attorney. If the estate needs letters, includes real estate, faces creditor or family conflict, or requires court guidance, Sunset connects the family with a vetted Iowa probate attorney.
Sunset is free for families. Sunset is paid by partners, not by grieving families. The goal is to make estate settlement clearer, faster and less expensive while keeping the family in control.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file probate in Iowa?
File with the clerk of the district court in the Iowa county where the person lived at death. If the person lived outside Iowa but left property in an Iowa county, file in the county where the property is located or later brought (Iowa Code 633.12).
How much does probate cost in Iowa?
Iowa does not use a single statewide flat opening cost for decedent's estates. The main court cost is 0.2% of the value of the probate assets listed in the report and inventory, plus the flat items in Iowa Code 633.31. A person who cannot afford fees can file an Application to Defer Costs.
Does Iowa have an inheritance tax or an estate tax?
Iowa imposes no inheritance tax on the estate of anyone who died on or after January 1, 2025, and the tax is repealed to that extent (Iowa Code 450.98). Iowa has never had, and does not have, a state estate tax. For a death before January 1, 2025, ask an Iowa attorney or the Iowa Department of Revenue.
What is the small estate ceiling in Iowa?
There are two different numbers. The Iowa Code 633.356 affidavit route is $100,000 of qualifying personal property only, effective July 1, 2026. Chapter 635 small estate administration is a court case for probate assets not exceeding $200,000, effective July 1, 2020 (Iowa Code 635.1).
Can I use an affidavit instead of probate in Iowa?
Only if the Iowa Code 633.356 requirements fit. The probate assets must consist only of personal property, with no interest in real estate, the gross value of that personal property must be $100,000 or less, and forty days must have passed since death. The affidavit is presented to the holder of the property and is used only when no estate administration is pending.
Do I have to e-file my Iowa probate case, and what if I cannot?
Yes, EDMS electronic filing is required for self-represented filers as well as attorneys (Iowa Ct. R. 16.302). If you cannot reasonably file electronically, the clerk of court can authorize a one-time paper filing while the office is open, and the chief judge can grant a case-long exception for good cause by court order.
Are there Iowa probate forms I can download?
Iowa does not publish a statewide probate form packet for a decedent's estate. The statewide Probate category contains the referee's report under Iowa Ct. R. 7.4, and Iowa Interactive Court Forms does not cover probate. A filer works from the statutes or with an attorney.
How do I look up an Iowa probate case online?
Use Iowa Courts Online. Anyone can search the public docket for free with no registration and no subscription. The docket is an index of filings and proceedings; public case documents are viewed at a courthouse public access terminal in the county where the case was filed.
How long do creditors have to file a claim in an Iowa estate?
A claim is barred unless it is filed with the clerk by the later of four months after the second publication of notice to creditors or one month after notice is mailed to a reasonably ascertainable creditor (Iowa Code 633.410). Medicaid-recovery claims have the six-month rule in the same section.
Will I have to go to a hearing in an Iowa probate, and can I appear by video?
Most Iowa probate is handled on papers filed with the clerk. A hearing happens when someone objects, when the court orders one or when a contested matter arises. Iowa proceedings are presumed in person, and a party who wants a remote appearance files a motion under Iowa Ct. R. 15.302.
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.