1Immediate Actions
The first days
First: Get Death Certificates
Required for everythingBureau of Health Statistics (Vital Records)
Certified Iowa death certificates ($20 per copy) are issued by the Iowa HHS Bureau of Health Statistics and by county recorders. Wapello County families can order in person or by mail from the state office in Des Moines, online or by phone through VitalChek (the only authorized online vendor, which adds a processing fee), or from a county recorder; a county recorder can issue certified copies of Iowa deaths from 1954 to the present, from the county of residence or where the death occurred. Certified copies are limited to people with a direct and tangible interest in the record, such as immediate family. The clerk of the district court does not issue death certificates.
Secure the Property
- Lock the residence and secure valuable items
- Forward mail to a responsible family member
- Make a list of what you find (don't throw anything away yet)
Locate Important Documents
2Required by Law
Legal duties
Deposit the Will
After being informed of the testator's death, the person having custody of the will must deliver it to the district court having jurisdiction of the estate (Iowa Code 633.285). Iowa sets no fixed numeric deadline for delivery, so verify timing locally. A custodian who willfully refuses or fails to deliver a will after being ordered by the court to do so is in contempt of court and civilly liable to any aggrieved person for resulting damages. (Iowa Code § 633.285)
Creditor claim window
Creditors generally have 4 months from second publication of the notice to creditors to bring claims against the estate. (Iowa Code § 633.410)
Notify Key Parties
- Banks and credit card companies (to prevent unauthorized use)
- Social Security Administration (1-800-772-1213)
- Employer (if applicable) for final paycheck and benefits
3Assess Your Situation
Before filing anything
Which probate type is right for you?
Small estate? If the estate is worth less than the Iowa small-estate limit (shown on the options below), you may qualify for simplified procedures.
Is there a valid will? If yes, you'll file for probate with will. If no will exists, it's intestate probate.
Complex assets? Business interests, real estate in multiple states, or contested claims may require probate administration.
Select a probate type below to see specific requirements and costs.
Which applies to your situation?
Not sure? Use the free checker at the top of this page - you don't have to decide this alone.
A successor may collect the decedent's personal property by affidavit, without letters of appointment, when the probate assets consist only of personal property with no interest in real estate, the gross value of that personal property is $100,000 or less (raised from $50,000 by 2026 Iowa Acts, ch. 1048, effective July 1, 2026), at least 40 days have passed since death, and no administration is pending. No court filing is required. Verify eligibility with the institution holding the asset.
- Qualifies:
- $100,000
The executor named in the will, or an administrator when there is no will, is appointed by the clerk or the district court, publishes notice to creditors once each week for two consecutive weeks, files a verified report and inventory within 120 days after qualification (Iowa Code 633.361, as amended effective July 1, 2026; formerly 90 days), and closes the estate by final report. Iowa does not require a personal representative to hire an attorney, but most Iowa estates in regular administration are handled with counsel. Verify bond, notice, and original-will requirements with the clerk of the district court.
- Attorney:
- not required by law, though many families use one
Documents you'll need:
- Certified Death Certificate
- Original Will
- Petition for Probate of Will or for Administration
- Letters of Appointment and Oath
- Notice of Probate and Notice to Creditors (publication)
- Report and Inventory
- Closing Statement (small estates) or Final Report
Small estate administration is available when the gross value of the probate assets subject to Iowa jurisdiction does not exceed $200,000 (for deaths on or after July 1, 2020; $100,000 for earlier deaths). A personal representative is still appointed, but the estate closes by a sworn closing statement rather than a formal final report and personal representative fees are capped at 3% of the gross probate assets unless services are itemized (Iowa Code 635.8).
- Qualifies:
- $200,000
Documents you'll need:
- Certified Death Certificate
- Original Will
- Petition for Probate of Will or for Administration
- Letters of Appointment and Oath
- Notice of Probate and Notice to Creditors (publication)
- Report and Inventory
- Closing Statement (small estates) or Final Report
Iowa's small estate affidavit lets a successor collect the decedent's personal property without letters of appointment when the probate assets consist only of personal property with no interest in real estate, the gross value of the personal property is (or has been at any time since death) $100,000 or less, at least 40 days have passed since death, and no administration is pending. H.F. 2660 (2026) raised the ceiling from $50,000 and struck the old alternative that let real property qualify when it passed to inheritance-tax-exempt joint tenants for deaths before January 1, 2025.
- Qualifies:
- $100,000
Documents you'll need:
- Certified Death Certificate
- Small Estate Affidavit
Iowa allows a will to be admitted to probate without opening administration (Iowa Code 633.31(2)(b) sets a $15 court cost for it). This proves the will of record, which can help clear title, but it does not appoint a personal representative or transfer assets by itself.
4File for Probate
Where to file, forms & fees
Where to File
Free Filing Help Available
Wapello County Clerk of the District Court / Iowa Judicial Branch Representing Yourself can help you understand forms and filing requirements at no cost.
Visit Self-Help Center