In Iowa, estates with personal property of $100,000Iowa Code § 633.356Verified Sep 8, 2026View source or less skip probate with the Small Estate AffidavitIowa Code § 633.356Verified Sep 8, 2026View source, 40 daysIowa Code § 633.356Verified Sep 8, 2026View source after death. Real property cannot pass through the affidavitIowa Code § 633.356Verified Sep 8, 2026View source; an estate that includes real estate uses a separate process. Iowa sets the limit by the decedent's date of deathIowa Code § 633.356Verified Sep 8, 2026View source; an earlier death may be measured against a lower figure. An estate over the limit does not qualify, and no affidavit is prepared for it.
The creditor claim period of 4 monthsIowa Code §§ 633.230, 633.304, 633.410, 633.413, 633.425, 633.442Verified Sep 15, 2026View source runs from the last publication of the creditor notice, which follows the executor's appointment. A claim not presented in time is barred. Every claim is barred 60 monthsIowa Code §§ 633.230, 633.304, 633.410, 633.413, 633.425, 633.442Verified Sep 15, 2026View source after the date of death, whether or not notice was given.
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 the personal representative's appointment.
The personal representative closes the estate by filing a final report under Iowa Code § 633.477 that sets forth the statutory recitals (heirs/devisees, tax and claim compliance, and a detailed accounting of receipts and disbursements) and applies for discharge; after notice to interested persons (§ 633.478), the court enters an order approving the final report and discharging the personal representative (§ 633.479(1))Iowa Code §§ 633.469, 633.470, 633.473, 633.477, 633.478, 633.479, 633.487Verified Sep 15, 2026View source.
No. Iowa publishes no official formIowa Code Chapter 633 (Probate Code)Verified Sep 23, 2026View source, so the renunciation is a signed writing.