Serves Des Moines, Henry, Lee, and Louisa counties from Burlington, along with west-central Illinois. Handles probate and trust administration with the court, estate and inheritance tax returns, and will contests, fiduciary removal and trustee disputes. Six attorneys; in practice since 1985.
Burlington is in Des Moines County.
Probate in Des Moines County
Probate Court Record
Des Moines County District Court
Des Moines County · 8th Judicial District
Phone
Hours
Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-4:30 PM
Office
513 North Main Street, Burlington, IA 52601
Website
E-filing
Self-represented filing
Allowed
Self-help forms
How to file probate in Des Moines County →
Verified October 15, 2026 · Source
Do I need a lawyer for probate in Des Moines County? →Settling an estate in Des Moines County →
Forms for Planning and Settling an Estate in Iowa
Free Iowa forms to plan or settle an estate: a will, trust, powers of attorney, TOD deed and the probate forms. Prepare each form for Iowa and download the PDF.
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Revocable Living Trust
Create a revocable living trust to avoid probate, protect privacy, and control asset distribution.
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Last Will and Testament
In Iowa, a will is signed before 2Iowa Code § 633.279Verified Oct 18, 2026View source witnesses, and a self-proving affidavit signed with it lets the court admit it without witness testimonyIowa Code § 633.279Verified Oct 18, 2026View source.
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Tools for Planning and Settling an Estate in Iowa
Free calculators and checklists to plan or settle an estate in Iowa: will and trust costs, probate, executor pay and taxes. Run each tool for Iowa.
How Much Does Probate Cost?
Probate on a $500,000 estate in Iowa costs an estimated $21,555Iowa Code § 633.198 (reasonable fee determined by the court, not in excess of the personal representative schedule); § 633.197 (6% first $1K, 4% next $4K, 2% over $5K)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source. Attorney fees set by the court and capped at a statutory scheduleIowa Code § 633.198 (reasonable fee determined by the court, not in excess of the personal representative schedule); § 633.197 (6% first $1K, 4% next $4K, 2% over $5K)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source.
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Who Inherits Without a Will?
Without a will in Iowa, a surviving spouse takes the entire estateIowa Code § 633.211Verified Oct 21, 2026View source when every child of either spouse is a child of both, and descendants divide what passes to them per stirpesIowa Code § 633.219(1)Verified Oct 21, 2026View source.
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What Are the Creditor Claim Deadlines?
In Iowa, creditors have 4 monthsIowa Code § 633.410Verified Sep 8, 2026View source from the last publication of the creditor notice to present claims; late claims are barred.
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How Do I Settle an Estate?
Settling an estate in Iowa: the personal representative files the estate inventory within 120 daysIowa Code §§ 633.361, 633.364, 633.365 (§ 633.361 as amended by 2026 Acts, HF 2532, § 4)Verified Sep 15, 2026View source of appointment; creditors have 4 monthsIowa Code §§ 633.230, 633.304, 633.410, 633.413, 633.425, 633.442Verified Oct 18, 2026View source to present claims; a simple estate closes in 6 months to 9 months.
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How Much Can an Executor Charge?
Iowa lets the court set executor compensation, capped at a statutory schedule — about $10,120 on a $500,000 estate, roughly 2.0%Iowa Code § 633.197 (reasonable fees determined by the court, not in excess of 6% first $1K, 4% next $4K, 2% over $5K of the gross assets in the inventory); § 633.197(2) (life insurance excluded)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source.
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