Serves Woodbury County from downtown Sioux City, just east of the Woodbury County Courthouse, and clients throughout Iowa. Guides executors and administrators through probate and estate administration, including court appointment, bonds, asset transfers, and estate taxes, and represents them in beneficiary disputes. Rated AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell.
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 →
Probate Litigation Firms Serving Des Moines County
Serves northwest Iowa and clients throughout the state from Spencer. Handles probate, trust and estate administration, will contests and probate disputes, and estate and tax planning alongside agricultural and business law. In practice since 1928.
Serves Wapello, Appanoose, Davis, Jefferson, Keokuk, Lucas, Mahaska, Monroe, Van Buren, and Wayne counties from Ottumwa, and takes estate planning and probate matters statewide. Handles probate, resolves estate disputes through alternative resolution or trial and appellate litigation, and prepares wills, trusts, and farm and family-business succession plans.
Serves clients throughout Iowa from offices in West Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, Dubuque, Bettendorf, and Milford. Guides personal representatives and successor trustees through probate and trust administration, represents families in will and trust disputes, and handles elder law and Medicaid planning. Also serves clients in Kansas, Missouri, and Illinois.
Serves the greater Iowa City area, including Cedar Rapids, Davenport, Mt. Pleasant, and Des Moines, from Iowa City. Handles estate and trust administration, estate and inheritance tax filings, disputed wills and elective-share litigation, and guardianships and conservatorships. In practice in Iowa City since 1906.
Serves Pottawattamie County and the Omaha-Council Bluffs area from Council Bluffs, with attorneys practicing in Iowa and Nebraska courts. Guides executors and personal representatives through probate and estate administration and handles estate disputes and will and trust contests. Established in 1861 through predecessor partnerships.
All 7 Iowa probate litigation firms serving 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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