Serves clients from offices in Des Moines, Ames, and Cedar Rapids. Its Wealth Transfer, Trusts & Estates practice handles probate of estates, trust administration and fiduciary duties, trust and estate litigation, guardianships and conservatorships, and estate and gift tax planning and audits. Founded in Des Moines in 1918.
Cedar Rapids is in Linn County.
Probate in Linn County
Probate Court Record
Linn County District Court
Linn County · 6th Judicial District
Phone
Hours
Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-4:30 PM
Office
51 Third Avenue Bridge, Cedar Rapids, IA 52401
Website
E-filing
Self-represented filing
Allowed
Self-help forms
How to file probate in Linn County →
Verified October 15, 2026 · Source
Do I need a lawyer for probate in Linn County? →Settling an estate in Linn 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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Free
Pour-Over Will
In Iowa, a pour-over will is signed before 2Iowa Code § 633.279Verified Oct 18, 2026View source witnesses and moves anything left outside the trust into it through probate.
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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 Do I Settle a Trust?
Settling a trust in Iowa happens outside court: the trustee acts under the state's trust statuteIowa Code § 633A.1101 et seq. (Iowa Trust Code)Verified Oct 17, 2026View source, notifies the beneficiaries, then pays the debts and distributes under the trust's terms.
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What's Fair Trustee Compensation?
In Iowa, trustee compensation follows "reasonable compensation" (UTC § 708 or equivalent)Iowa Code §§ 633A.4109, 633A.4111, 633A.4202(5)(d), 633.200Verified Sep 18, 2026View source unless the trust instrument sets a different amount.
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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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Do I Have to File Tax Returns for Someone Who Died?
Iowa requires a final state income tax return for the decedent alongside the federal Form 1040Iowa Code § 422.5(1)(a)Verified Sep 20, 2026View source; a federal estate tax return (Form 706) is required only for estates above $15,000,00026 USC 2001(c), 2010; P.L. 119-21 §70106Verified Sep 15, 2026View source.
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How Does Step-Up in Basis Work?
Inherited assets in Iowa take a basis reset to fair market value on the date of death26 USC § 1014Verified Sep 15, 2026View source, and the gain on a later sale faces ordinary income tax at the state's regular ratesIowa Code (2026) § 422.5(1)(a) — flat 3.8% individual rateVerified Sep 15, 2026View source.
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