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Home→Tools→Personal Property Value Estimator→Iowa

What Are My Personal Items Worth for Probate in Iowa?

Estimate the fair market value of household items for probate in Iowa. See how reporting accurate values instead of purchase prices affects your probate fees.

Frequently Asked Questions

Personal property in Iowa is valued at fair market value — what the item would sell for on the open market, not the original purchase price.Iowa Code §§ 633.31 (calendar/court costs), 633.169 (bond), 633.172/633.175 (bond waiver), 633.197 (PR fees), 633.198 (attorney fees), 633.304 (publication), 633.356 (small estate affidavit), 633.410 (creditor claims), Chapter 635 / § 635.1 ($200K summary administration threshold)Verified May 31, 2026 Most household items (furniture, electronics, clothing) lose 50-90% of their value. Professional appraisals are used for art, collectibles, jewelry, and other high-value items.

Yes. Iowa has statutory probate fees calculated as a percentage of the gross estate value, which includes personal property.Iowa Code §§ 633.31 (calendar/court costs), 633.169 (bond), 633.172/633.175 (bond waiver), 633.197 (PR fees), 633.198 (attorney fees), 633.304 (publication), 633.356 (small estate affidavit), 633.410 (creditor claims), Chapter 635 / § 635.1 ($200K summary administration threshold)Verified May 31, 2026 Reporting accurate fair market values instead of purchase prices directly reduces attorney and executor fees. Use the Iowa probate calculator to see the fee impact.

Estates with personal property under $50,000 in Iowa may qualify for Small Estate Affidavit, which avoids full probate.Iowa Code §§ 633.31 (calendar/court costs), 633.169 (bond), 633.172/633.175 (bond waiver), 633.197 (PR fees), 633.198 (attorney fees), 633.304 (publication), 633.356 (small estate affidavit), 633.410 (creditor claims), Chapter 635 / § 635.1 ($200K summary administration threshold)Verified May 31, 2026 Accurate valuation at fair market value can determine whether the estate falls below this threshold. Check eligibility with the Iowa probate need checker.

High-value items such as art, antiques, jewelry, and collectibles typically require professional appraisals. For typical household items — furniture, electronics, appliances, clothing — fair market value can be estimated using comparable sales data. Iowa probate courts require the executor to file an inventory with values for all personal property.Iowa Code §§ 633.31 (calendar/court costs), 633.169 (bond), 633.172/633.175 (bond waiver), 633.197 (PR fees), 633.198 (attorney fees), 633.304 (publication), 633.356 (small estate affidavit), 633.410 (creditor claims), Chapter 635 / § 635.1 ($200K summary administration threshold)Verified May 31, 2026

Total probate costs in Iowa include attorney fees, executor fees, court filing fees, and publication costs. Personal property value is one component of the gross estate that determines fee calculations. The Iowa probate calculator provides a complete cost breakdown.

Not necessarily. Items with named beneficiaries (life insurance, retirement accounts), jointly held property, and assets in a trust bypass probate. Only personal property owned solely by the deceased passes through probate in Iowa. The Iowa probate need checker determines which assets require probate.

Personal Property Valuation in Iowa

Because Iowa uses statutory (set by law)Iowa Code § 633.198 (capped at § 633.197 schedule: 6% first $1K, 4% next $4K, 2% over $5K)Verified May 31, 2026 probate fees, every dollar of reported personal property value increases attorney and executor costs. Accurate fair market valuations — typically 50-90% below purchase price for household items — can produce meaningful savings.

Estates with personal property under $50,000Iowa Code § 633.356Verified May 31, 2026 in Iowa may qualify for simplified procedures that avoid formal probate. Accurate valuation can determine whether the estate falls below this threshold. Check eligibility with the probate need checker.

Beyond the $195Iowa Code § 602.8105(1)(a)Verified May 31, 2026 court filing fee, Iowa probate costs include attorney fees, executor compensation, and publication expenses — all influenced by estate value. See a full estimate with the probate calculator.

SimplyTrustSimplyTrust Editorial·Updated May 31, 2026

Legal Sources

  • Iowa Code § 602.8105(1)(a)
  • Iowa Code § 633.198 (capped at § 633.197 schedule: 6% first $1K, 4% next $4K, 2% over $5K)
  • Iowa Code § 633.356

Data sourced from Iowa statutes and official state code. How we research.

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Iowa Estate Planning Resources

In-depth guides covering Iowa probate laws, trust requirements, and estate planning strategies.

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Build your property inventory

Click categories on the left to add items. Name each item, pick a type, and enter what you paid.

These estimates are based on general resale market data and insurance industry depreciation guides. They are approximations, not professional appraisals. Fair market value is what a willing buyer would pay on the open market. For high-value items or contested estates, consult a certified appraiser.

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