Skip to main content
SimplyTrust
SimplyTrust
MobileNewForms & ToolsFreeLearnStates
OverviewEstate Law
Probate by County
OverviewEstate Law
Forms
Revocable Living Trust for Iowa ResidentsIowa Last Will and TestamentIowa Pour-Over WillIowa Healthcare Power of AttorneyIowa Financial Power of Attorney
Getting Prepared
Iowa Estate Planning Cost CalculatorIowa Revocable Living Trust Cost CalculatorIowa Will Cost CalculatorIowa Life Insurance CalculatorIowa Beneficiary Designation CheckerIowa Signing Requirements CheckerIowa Document Portability CheckerIowa Revocable TrustIowa Trust or Will Decision Tool
Someone Just Passed Away
Iowa Death Certificate CalculatorIowa Probate Decision ToolIowa Inheritance ExplainerIowa Estate Settlement Checklist
I'm an Executor
Iowa Probate Cost CalculatorIowa Executor Fee CalculatorIowa Self-File Probate AssessmentIowa Executor Duties Checklist
I'm a Trustee
Iowa Trustee Compensation CalculatorIowa Trustee Duties Checklist
Taxes & Inheritance
Iowa Who Inherits CalculatorIowa Estate & Inheritance Tax Calculator
Company
AboutCareersContactFormsMobileNewPress
Privacy PolicyTerms of ServiceSecurityAI Access

© 2026 SimplyTrust Software Inc.

SimplyTrust Logo

Every family deserves a plan. We'll help.

Forms

  • Revocable Trust
  • Last Will
  • Pour-Over Will
  • Healthcare Proxy
  • Financial POA

Tools

  • Trust vs Will
  • Probate Calculator
  • Who Inherits
  • Estate Settlement
  • Death Tax Calculator
  • Life Insurance

Learn

  • Articles
  • State Guides
  • Estate Law
  • Life Events
  • Law Firms
  • Financial Institutions

Company

  • About
  • Careers
  • Contact
  • Press
  • Mobile App

SimplyTrust is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice, legal counsel, or attorney review. Information on this platform is for general informational purposes only. Use of SimplyTrust does not create an attorney-client relationship. You are solely responsible for all documents you create. For advice tailored to your circumstances, consult a licensed attorney in your state.

© 2026 SimplyTrust Software Inc. All rights reserved.

Privacy Policy·Terms of Service·Security··AI Access

All content, data, and calculations are proprietary. Automated scraping, systematic downloading, or data extraction is prohibited under our Terms of Service. Product visuals are simulated for illustrative purposes and may differ from actual experience.

Estate planning, in your pocket.

Create and manage your trust from your phone.

Revocable Trusts

Skip probate with a revocable trust

Estate Ledger

Every decision signed, timestamped, and hashed

Pricing

Simple, transparent pricing

Download

Get the app on iOS and Android

Iowa estate planning
Home→States→Iowa

Iowa Estate Planning: Free Wills, Forms & Resources

The Hawkeye State

Discover comprehensive Iowa estate planning resources with FREE document forms and educational content about Iowa's inheritance laws, probate requirements, and planning options.

What Makes Iowa Different

Like all states, Iowa recognizes formally executed wills and living trusts as valid estate planning tools. A standard will here requires 2 adult witnesses, and adding a notarized self-proving affidavit can streamline the probate process later.

Iowa sets probate attorney fees by law rather than leaving them to negotiation. Fees are calculated as a percentage of the estate's value, which means you can predict costs in advance—but also means there's little room to shop around for a better rate. Unlike states with formal independent administration statutes (such as California and Texas), Iowa doesn't offer a simplified procedure for executors to petition for reduced court oversight. However, executors typically have statutory authority to manage routine estate matters. For families looking to avoid probate court involvement entirely, a revocable living trust remains the most reliable option.

Find Your County's Probate Court

Loading map...

Each county in Iowa handles probate matters through its local court system. Click on any county to view specific court contact information, judges, filing procedures, and local requirements.

Iowa Estate Law

Probate costs, will requirements, trust laws, and more. Compare with other states.

Explore

Iowa Estate Planning Forms

Pick what's right for you. Free for Iowa.

$12/month

Revocable Living Trust

Create a revocable living trust to avoid probate, protect privacy, and control asset distribution.

Get Started
Free

Last Will and Testament

Name your heirs, guardians, and final wishes. Free for every state.

Get Started
Free

Pour-Over Will

Catch anything outside your trust. Pairs with your revocable trust.

Get Started
Free

Healthcare Power of Attorney

Name someone to make medical decisions if you can't.

Get Started
Free

Financial Power of Attorney

Name someone to manage your finances if you can't.

Get Started

Iowa Tools & Calculators

Run the numbers for Iowa for free.

How Much Does Probate Cost in Iowa?

Estimate attorney fees, executor fees, court costs, and timeline for probating an estate in your state. See if the estate qualifies for simplified probate procedures.

Use Calculator

How Much Can an Executor Charge in Iowa?

Calculate how much an executor (personal representative) can charge for administering an estate. See if your state has statutory fees or uses reasonable compensation.

Use Calculator

Who Inherits Without a Will in Iowa?

Find out who inherits your estate and how much they get if you die without a will. Based on your state's intestate succession laws.

Use Calculator

What's Fair Trustee Compensation in Iowa?

Find out what's fair compensation for serving as trustee. Compare family, professional, and corporate trustee rates based on your situation.

Use Calculator

How Much Are Estate & Inheritance Taxes in Iowa?

Calculate federal estate tax, state estate tax (12 states + DC), and inheritance tax (5 states) for an estate or trust.

Use Calculator

How Many Death Certificates Do I Need in Iowa?

Calculate how many certified death certificates you need based on the assets and accounts you need to close. See state-specific ordering information.

Use Calculator

Do I Need Probate in Iowa?

Answer a few questions to find out if an estate needs full probate, qualifies for simplified probate, or can avoid probate entirely with a small estate affidavit.

Check Now

What Does Estate Planning Actually Cost in Iowa?

See the true cost of estate planning. Compare SimplyTrust, Trust & Will, LegalZoom, and attorneys including life events like marriage, divorce, and having children.

Compare Costs

How Much Does a Revocable Living Trust Cost in Iowa?

Compare the cost of creating a revocable living trust. See how SimplyTrust, Trust & Will, LegalZoom, and attorneys compare over 5 years including life events.

Compare Costs

How Much Does a Will Cost in Iowa?

Compare the cost of creating a will. See document costs plus probate fees your heirs will pay. Compare SimplyTrust, Trust & Will, LegalZoom, and attorneys.

Compare Costs

How Much Life Insurance Do I Need in Iowa?

Calculate how much life insurance coverage you need. Accounts for income replacement, debt payoff, college funding, and state-specific factors like cost of living and estate taxes.

Use Calculator

I'm Inheriting - What Should I Expect in Iowa?

Find out what to expect when inheriting money, property, or other assets. See timeline estimates, inheritance tax implications, and understand what the executor or trustee is handling behind the scenes.

Learn More

Are My Beneficiary Designations Protected in Iowa?

See how your state handles beneficiary designations after divorce, inherited IRA creditor protection, and spousal consent requirements for retirement accounts.

Check Now

What Are the Estate Laws in My State in Iowa?

Understand your state's estate planning landscape. See will execution requirements, probate procedures, trust administration rules, and what happens if you die without a plan.

Check Your State

How Do Trust Laws Differ Between States in Iowa?

See side-by-side differences in trust execution requirements, remote notarization, transfer-on-death deeds, and administration rules. Calculate settlement costs for each state.

Compare States

How Do I Sign Estate Documents in Iowa?

Understand what you need to execute your estate planning documents. Check witness requirements, notarization rules, and whether you can sign remotely via video call (RON).

Check Requirements

Will My Estate Documents Transfer in Iowa?

Moving states? Find out if your will, trust, healthcare proxy, or power of attorney will be recognized in your new state. See the legal basis for interstate recognition and any potential issues.

Check Portability

Do I Need a Revocable Trust in Iowa?

Answer questions about your estate size, real estate, family situation, and privacy preferences to see how a revocable trust compares to a will alone.

Take the Quiz

Can I Self-File Probate in Iowa?

Get a score-based recommendation on whether self-filing probate is right for your situation. See estimated savings vs. hiring an attorney and get a step-by-step checklist.

Check Now

Do I Need a Trust or Will in Iowa?

Compare trusts vs wills for your specific situation. See probate costs, trust administration expenses, and whether your estate qualifies for simplified procedures based on your state and estate value.

Compare Options

How Do I Settle an Estate in Iowa?

Get a personalized checklist for settling an estate after someone passes away. Covers trust administration, probate, and intestate estates.

Get Checklist

What Are My Duties as Trustee in Iowa?

Step-by-step guide for successor trustees administering a trust. Understand your duties, notification deadlines, and asset management responsibilities.

Get Checklist

What Are My Duties as Executor in Iowa?

Complete guide for executors and personal representatives navigating probate. Court filings, creditor claims, and distribution timelines.

Get Checklist

Iowa Estate Attorneys

Find estate planning attorneys in Iowa by practice area.

Iowa Estate Planning Attorneys

40 firms

Iowa Trust Administration Attorneys

19 firms

Iowa Probate Litigation Attorneys

4 firms

Iowa Elder Law Attorneys

10 firms

Iowa Tax Planning Attorneys

10 firms

Iowa Conservatorship Attorneys

7 firms

Iowa Guardianship Attorneys

9 firms

Iowa Special Needs Planning Attorneys

2 firms

Financial Institutions in Iowa

Banks, brokerages, and credit unions serving Iowa.

Auto-Owners Life

Auto-Owners Life logo

Insurance Company serving the Midwest, Southeast, and more

Auto-Owners Life

Cobalt CU

Cobalt CU logo

Credit Union serving Nebraska and Iowa

Cobalt CU

COUNTRY Financial

COUNTRY Financial logo

Insurance Company serving the Midwest, West, and more

COUNTRY Financial

D.A. Davidson

D.A. Davidson logo

Brokerage serving the West, Midwest, and more

D.A. Davidson

First Interstate

First Interstate logo

Bank serving the Midwest, West, and more

First Interstate

FNBO

FNBO logo

Bank serving the Midwest, West, and more

FNBO

Great Southern Bank

Great Southern Bank logo

Bank serving the Midwest and Southeast

Great Southern Bank

GreenState CU

GreenState CU logo

Credit Union serving the Midwest

GreenState CU

HTLF Bank

HTLF Bank logo

Bank serving the Midwest, Southwest, and more

HTLF Bank

Old National

Old National logo

Bank serving the Midwest and Southeast

Old National

Pekin Life

Pekin Life logo

Insurance Company serving the Midwest, Southeast, and more

Pekin Life

Regions

Regions logo

Bank serving the Southeast, Midwest, and more

Regions

Acorns

Acorns logo

Brokerage serving all 50 states

Acorns

ADP

ADP logo

Retirement Provider serving all 50 states

ADP

Aflac

Aflac logo

Insurance Company serving all 50 states

Aflac

VALIC

VALIC logo

Insurance Company serving all 50 states

VALIC

Iowa Estate Planning News

Track important updates to Iowa estate planning laws, legislative changes, and court decisions impacting Iowa residents.

Retire Tax-Free: States That Protect Your Retirement Income

Retire Tax-Free: States That Protect Your Retirement Income

Discover which states allow retirees to keep more of their income by exempting taxes on retirement income.
News
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialNovember 11, 2025

Iowa Estate Planning Articles

Discover Iowa estate planning topics covering wills, trusts, and probate procedures under Iowa state requirements.

Cost of Probate in Iowa: A Guide to Expenses

Cost of Probate in Iowa: A Guide to Expenses

Learn about Iowa probate costs, fees, and money-saving options
Estate Planning
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialFebruary 15, 2026
Exploring Revocable Trusts in Iowa and Nevada

Exploring Revocable Trusts in Iowa and Nevada

Explore the differences in revocable trusts in Iowa versus Nevada, focusing on probate, privacy, asset protection, and taxes.
Estate Planning
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialOctober 22, 2025
The Story Behind the Iowa Inheritance Tax and Its Repeal

The Story Behind the Iowa Inheritance Tax and Its Repeal

Discover the history and impact of the Iowa inheritance tax and its repeal, highlighting why the state chose to get rid of it.
Estate Planning
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialOctober 21, 2025
Why Iowa Doesn’t Have an Estate Tax

Why Iowa Doesn’t Have an Estate Tax

Read about the history of the Iowa estate tax and the reasons behind the state choosing to eliminate its estate tax.
Estate Planning
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialOctober 21, 2025