Probate

Someone has died and now there is paperwork. Probate is the court process for paying what the estate owes and transferring what is left to the people entitled to it. We guide executors, administrators, and families through it, and we do the parts that do not need to be yours.

What we handle

Opening the estate and appointing the executor or administrator

Notice to heirs and to creditors

Inventory and valuation of estate assets

Reviewing, paying, and contesting claims

Transferring real property and clearing title through the estate

Final income tax and fiduciary returns

Distribution to beneficiaries and closing the estate

Small estate procedures where the estate qualifies

Will contests and disputes among heirs

What an executor actually has to do

Most people appointed as executor have never done it before and are grieving at the same time. The job comes down to five duties.

Secure the assets. Property, accounts, vehicles, and anything that can walk off. This starts immediately, before the estate is even opened.

Tell the right people. Heirs and beneficiaries get notice. So do creditors, through a published notice that starts the clock on claims.

Account for everything. An inventory of what the person owned and what it was worth on the date of death. This is where most of the work is.

Pay what is owed, in the right order. Claims, taxes, and costs of administration come before beneficiaries. Paying the wrong person first can make an executor personally liable.

Distribute and close. Only after the claims period has run and the court is satisfied.

Common questions

Does every estate have to go through probate in Iowa?

No. Property held jointly with right of survivorship, accounts with a valid beneficiary designation, and assets in a trust generally pass outside probate. Iowa also has simplified procedures for smaller estates. Whether an estate needs full administration depends on what the person owned and how it was titled.

How long does probate take in Iowa?

Longer than families expect, largely because the estate has to stay open through the creditor claims period. A straightforward estate is often a matter of months rather than weeks. A contested one, or one with real property to sell, takes longer.

Can the executor be paid?

Yes. Iowa allows fees for the executor and the attorney, set by statute and subject to court approval. We will explain what that looks like for your estate before you decide whether to serve.

Named as executor and not sure what happens next? Call before you sign anything or pay anyone. (319) 334-4488