How probate works in Johnson County: the District Court record, what the process costs, and how to file there.
Probate Court Record
Johnson County · 6th Judicial District
Phone
Hours
Office
Website
E-filing
Self-represented filing
Self-help forms
E-filing
Self-represented filing
Accepted payment
Fax
Departments
Verified October 15, 2026 · Source
Probate is the court-supervised process of settling someone's estate after they die — validating the will, paying debts and taxes, and transferring what's left to the heirs. In Johnson County, probate runs through the District Court at 417 South Clinton Street, Iowa City. The court sits in the 6th Judicial District. Johnson County shares the 6th Judicial District with Benton, Iowa, Jones, Linn and Tama.
The personal representative opens the case, gives notice to heirs and creditors, files an inventory of the estate's assets, settles outstanding debts and taxes, and then distributes the remainder under the will — or under Iowa intestacy law when there is no will.
Most Iowa estates take 9 months to 15 months to move through this process. Creditors have 4 monthsIowa Code §§ 633.230, 633.304, 633.410, 633.413, 633.425, 633.442Verified Oct 18, 2026View source to present a claim, counted from the last publication of the notice to creditors.
What probate costs in Johnson County, Iowa comes down to a handful of line items — the court filing fee, attorney and executor compensation, publication, and sometimes a bond — scaled by the estate's size and whether the will is contested. The case itself runs through the District Court at 417 South Clinton Street, Iowa City. The court is part of the 6th Judicial District.
Iowa charges $215Iowa Code § 602.8105(1)(a); 2026 Iowa Acts, ch. 1192, § 24, 27, 28Verified Oct 17, 2026View source to open probate, the same in every county. Additional filings during administration — inventory, accounting, the final petition — add to the total.
Estimate the costs for this estate:
Attorney fees in Iowa are based on reasonable compensation — usually hourly billing or a flat fee for the engagement.
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. Family members who are also beneficiaries often waive the fee — executor pay is taxable income while inheritances are not.
Iowa requires publishing notice to creditors in a local newspaper, and the estate pays for it.
A surety bond may be required unless the will waives it or all beneficiaries consent. Premiums run roughly 0.5%Industry surety premium estimate; the bond itself under Iowa Code § 633.169Verified Sep 8, 2026View source of estate value annually.
Probate in Iowa typically runs 9 months to 15 months, and costs accrue throughout that period.
Probate cases in Johnson County, Iowa are filed at the District Court. The court sits in the 6th Judicial District.
Beside the filing office, the court lists a separate line for Case Scheduling.
Iowa has no statewide fill-in probate petition, so the opening petition is drafted as a legal pleading, and informal probate is not availableIowa Code §§ 633.290, 633.294 (district court admits the will and grants letters; no registrar/informal track)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source.
For a full cost comparison and filing checklist, see the Johnson County Self-Filing Assessment.
These are specific requirements for filing probate in this county. Following these guidelines will help avoid delays or rejected filings.
Original documents must be retained by filer
When the law requires an original document such as a will or codicil, the filer scans it and files the scan electronically, keeps the original for at least two years or until the case, appeal or estate concludes, and delivers it to the court on request. An original will or codicil may also be submitted to the clerk for paper preservation after it is filed electronically (Iowa R. Elec. P. 16.411).
SourceFiled with the opening petition at the District Court: Verified petition for probate of will and appointment of executor, or for administration (Iowa Code § 633.290; small estate § 635.2); Original will and any codicils, where testate; Personal representative's oath / certification under penalty of perjury (Iowa Code § 633.168); Bond with surety unless waived (Iowa Code §§ 633.169-633.173); Written testimony of a subscribing witness proving due execution of the will, where the proof is not taken orally (Iowa Code § 633.295; statutory form)Iowa Code §§ 633.10 (jurisdiction), 633.290 (petitions after death of testator), 633.291-633.292 (contents of the testate petition), 633.229 (contents of the intestate petition), 633.168 (oath), 633.178 (clerk issues letters); ch. 635 (small estates)Verified Aug 24, 2026View source.
In Iowa a death is registered locally, and in Johnson County certified copies of the death certificate are issued by Johnson County Recorder's Office as well as by Iowa Department of Health and Human Services - Bureau of Health Statistics.
Vital Records Office Record
Johnson County · Johnson County Recorder's Office
Phone
Hours
Office
Website
Local rule
Burial and cremation permits
Certified copy fees
| First certified copy | $20 |
Verified November 2, 2026 · Source
Coroner or Medical Examiner Record
Johnson County · Johnson County Medical Examiner Department
Phone
Hours
Office
Website
Release of remains
Cremation authorization
Mail and offices
Fax
Verified November 2, 2026 · Source
Clearing title to real estate after a death, whether by a personal representative’s deed, an affidavit of survivorship, or a court order, happens at the County Recorder.
Deeds and other real property documents for Johnson County are recorded with the County Recorder at 913 South Dubuque Street, Iowa City, IA 52240. Phone: 1-319-356-6093. Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-5:00 PM.
The County Recorder charges $7 for the first page plus $5 for each additional page.
Johnson County accepts electronic recording through Iowa Land Records.
Recording Office Record
Johnson County
Phone
Hours
Office
Website
E-recording
Fees
Recording fees
| Base fee (first page) | $7 |
| Each additional page | $5 |
| County Auditor's Transfer FeeRequired with most deeds | $5 per parcel, capped at $50 per instrument |
Iowa Code 331.604(1)-(3)
Verified October 16, 2026 · Source
Iowa uses formal, court-supervised probate, which makes an attorney worthwhile for most estates in Johnson County — the filing sequence, notice requirements, and accounting leave little room for error. Estates under the small-estate threshold are the usual exception.
Probate attorney fees in Iowa are set by the court as reasonable compensation, capped at a statutory schedule tied to the estate's value. Johnson County firms quote within that ceiling, so ask for the structure up front.
A probate attorney files the petition with the District Court, publishes the required creditor notices, prepares the inventory and accounting, handles creditor claims and tax filings, and guides the final distribution. They represent the personal representative — not the beneficiaries — a distinction that matters if a dispute develops.
FirmCedar Rapids, IA
Serves Linn, Benton, Johnson, Cedar, Black Hawk, Jones, and Buchanan counties from Cedar Rapids. Handles probate and intestate estates and prepares wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and living wills, including trust and probate litigation matters.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbateWills Trusts
FirmIowa City, IA
Serves Johnson County from Iowa City. Handles probate and estates, guardianships, and conservatorships, and prepares wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and living wills. Also assists with Medicaid planning for clients moving into assisted living or a nursing home.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbateElder LawConservatorshipand 3 more
FirmCoralville, IA
Serves Johnson and Linn counties from Coralville in the Iowa City-Cedar Rapids Corridor. Attorneys handle probate and trust administration for estates, along with wills, revocable and special needs trusts, and business succession. A boutique firm established in 2014; consultations are billed at the attorney's hourly rate.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateSpecial Needs Planningand 2 more
Solo PracticeCedar Rapids, IA
Serves Linn, Johnson, and Black Hawk counties from Cedar Rapids, with remote consultations elsewhere in Iowa. Handles uncontested probate and uncontested adult guardianships, and prepares wills, revocable and irrevocable trusts, powers of attorney, and special needs trusts for flat fees. A solo practice where Scott Shoemaker handles every file personally.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbateConservatorshipGuardianshipand 2 more
FirmDes Moines, IA
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.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateProbate Litigationand 5 more
FirmWaterloo, IA
Serves clients across Iowa from offices in Waterloo and North Liberty. Guides families through the Iowa probate process and drafts wills, trusts, powers of attorney, healthcare directives, and beneficiary designations, including estate plans for family farms and small businesses. A litigation-focused firm practicing since 1958.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbateWills Trusts
Firm listings are for informational purposes only. SimplyTrust does not endorse or recommend any specific firm or attorney. Contact firms directly to verify their current practice areas and availability.
Data sourced from Iowa statutes and official state code. Fee percentages are modeled estimates; each figure's note says how. How we research.
Free tools for settling an estate in Iowa: whether probate is needed, executor and trustee pay, creditor deadlines and taxes. Run each tool for Iowa.
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.
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.
Iowa has no statewide fill-in probate petition, so the opening petition is drafted as a legal pleading, and informal probate is not availableIowa Code §§ 633.290, 633.294 (district court admits the will and grants letters; no registrar/informal track)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source.
Browse vetted Iowa attorneys handling probate matters.
Each institution has a separate death claim process. Find yours below.
Get a complete guide for your specific circumstances.
Enter the estate value to see Iowa attorney fees, executor fees, court costs and the timeline.
General information about probate costs, not legal or financial advice. Fee bases vary by state and may use gross estate, personal property, inventory value or net property after debts. Actual costs vary by county, attorney and estate complexity. Consult a licensed attorney for legal questions.
Enter the estate value to see whether Iowa lets a self-represented person open probate, what the court requires, and what each route costs.
General information about filing probate without a lawyer, not legal advice. Both routes are priced by the probate cost estimator on the same estate; the attorney fee is the one line that differs. Actual costs vary by county, attorney and estate complexity. Consult a licensed attorney for legal questions.
