For anyone planning an estate in Iowa or settling one: what a will or trust costs, whether an estate needs probate, what executors and trustees are paid, and the taxes on an inheritance, each answered under Iowa law.
36 tools for Iowa
Probate in Iowa takes 6 months to 9 months for a simple estate and charges attorney fees set by the court and capped at a statutory scheduleIowa Code § 633.198 ("such reasonable fee as may be determined by the court...but not in excess of the schedule of fees provided in this part for personal representatives" — § 633.197 ceiling: 6% first $1K, 4% next $4K, 2% over $5K)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source; assets held in a revocable trust skip both.
Iowa does not authorize transfer on death deeds; sole-name real property goes through probate, at least 6 months for a simple estate, unless held in a trust or with a right of survivorship.
Iowa does not offer a transfer-on-death designation on a vehicle title; a vehicle passes by will, trust, joint title, or probate.
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.
In Iowa, the District Court sitting in probate appoints the personal representative and the Clerk of the district court issues Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration; every appointment goes through the courtIowa Code §§ 633.290, 633.294 (district court admits the will and grants letters; no registrar/informal track)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source.
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.
When an estate owes more than it holds, Iowa pays the claims in 10Iowa Code § 633.425Verified Sep 23, 2026View source classes in statutory order, beginning with court costs.
Compare estate-account opening requirements bank by bank: channels, required documents, and steps.
Compare trust-account requirements bank by bank: how a revocable trust account is opened or retitled, and what proves the trust.
See which federal withdrawal rules apply to an inherited IRA, Roth IRA, or employer plan, the deadline year, and the missed-withdrawal tax.
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.
Estimate the fair market value of household items for probate and see how it affects fees.
In Iowa, a will-based plan pays probate attorney fees set by the court and capped at a statutory scheduleIowa Code § 633.198 ("such reasonable fee as may be determined by the court...but not in excess of the schedule of fees provided in this part for personal representatives" — § 633.197 ceiling: 6% first $1K, 4% next $4K, 2% over $5K)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source; a funded revocable trust keeps those assets out of probate and off that fee.
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 Sep 15, 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 Jul 15, 2026View source, notifies the beneficiaries, then pays the debts and distributes under the trust's terms.
After a death in Iowa, the estate either qualifies for the simplified procedure for estates under $100,000Iowa Code § 633.356Verified Sep 8, 2026View source or goes through probate, where creditors have 4 monthsIowa Code § 633.410Verified Sep 8, 2026View source to file claims after notice.