Iowa Probate Code
Iowa · Probate Code · §§ 633.1 to 633.99 · 527 sections
Overview
This act governs the administration of decedents' estates and related court-supervised fiduciary matters, fixing which court has probate jurisdiction, in what county it is exercised, and where that jurisdiction is shared with other courts. It establishes the machinery of administration: appointment of fiduciaries and the bonds, certificates, and authority under which they act; appraisal, discovery, and disposition of estate property, including encumbered and abandoned assets; compromise of claims held by and against an estate; and accountings, costs, fiduciary and attorney compensation, distribution to heirs, and final discharge. It also sets standards for investing fiduciary funds — prudent investment, use of investment companies and common trust funds, and holding assets in a nominee's name with ownership recorded — and provides for declaratory determinations of heirship, appointment of counsel for persons not represented, and recognition of fiduciaries appointed elsewhere who file their certificate of appointment locally.
Editorial summary generated from the text of this act. It is not part of the statute — read the sections below for the operative language.
In the courts
Sections of this act have been cited in 64 court decisions.
Most-cited authority: 827 NW2D 184 - In the Matter of the Estate of Mary Florence Whalen, Michael Whalen
Sections covered
Showing the first 400 of 527 sections — browse the full code.
- Iowa Code § 633.1Short title
- Iowa Code § 633.10Jurisdiction
- Iowa Code § 633.100Waiver of exemption
- Iowa Code § 633.101Appraisal
- Iowa Code § 633.102Costs and expenses
- Iowa Code § 633.103Certain corporate distributions. Repealed by
- Iowa Code § 633.108Small distributions
- Iowa Code § 633.109Inability to distribute estate funds
- Iowa Code § 633.11Declaratory judgments — determination of heirship — distribution
- Iowa Code § 633.110Receipts taken
- Iowa Code § 633.111Final discharge period
- Iowa Code § 633.112Discovery of property
- Iowa Code § 633.113Commitment
- Iowa Code § 633.114Compromise of claims held by an estate
- Iowa Code § 633.115Compromise of claims against an estate
- Iowa Code § 633.116Abandonment of property
- Iowa Code § 633.117Encumbered assets
- Iowa Code § 633.118Attorney appointed for persons not represented
- Iowa Code § 633.119Order and authority thereunder
- Iowa Code § 633.12County of jurisdiction
- Iowa Code § 633.120Compensation
- Iowa Code § 633.121Substitution — division of fee
- Iowa Code § 633.122Settlement contested
- Iowa Code § 633.123Prudent investments — fiduciaries1 cite
- Iowa Code § 633.123AInvestments in investment companies and investment trusts
- Iowa Code § 633.124Investment may be held in name of nominee of bank or trust company
- Iowa Code § 633.125Records of bank or trust company to show ownership
- Iowa Code § 633.126Definitions
- Iowa Code § 633.127Establishment of common trust funds
- Iowa Code § 633.128Court accountings
- Iowa Code § 633.129Uniformity of interpretation
- Iowa Code § 633.13Extent of jurisdiction
- Iowa Code § 633.14Concurrent jurisdiction
- Iowa Code § 633.144Mortgages and judgments
- Iowa Code § 633.145Certificate of appointment and authority
- Iowa Code § 633.146Filing of certificate
- Iowa Code § 633.147Record
- Iowa Code § 633.148Maintaining actions
- Iowa Code § 633.149Filing of bond
- Iowa Code § 633.15Probate court always open. Repealed by
- Iowa Code § 633.155Self-dealing by fiduciary prohibited
- Iowa Code § 633.156Deposits by corporate fiduciaries
- Iowa Code § 633.157Liability for property of estate
- Iowa Code § 633.158Liability for property not a part of estate
- Iowa Code § 633.159Judgment — execution
- Iowa Code § 633.16Control of probate records
- Iowa Code § 633.160Breach of duty2 cites
- Iowa Code § 633.161Examination of fiduciaries
- Iowa Code § 633.162Penalty
- Iowa Code § 633.168Oath — certification
- Iowa Code § 633.169Bond
- Iowa Code § 633.17Judge disqualified — procedure
- Iowa Code § 633.170Amount of bond
- Iowa Code § 633.171Approval by clerk
- Iowa Code § 633.172Will — waiver of bond
- Iowa Code § 633.173Waiver of bond by distributees
- Iowa Code § 633.174Guardians and conservators — bond
- Iowa Code § 633.175Waiver of bond by court
- Iowa Code § 633.176Reduction of bond by deposit
- Iowa Code § 633.177Deposit in lieu of bond
- Iowa Code § 633.178Letters
- Iowa Code § 633.179Review by clerk when inventory is filed
- Iowa Code § 633.18Rules in probate
- Iowa Code § 633.180Bond changed
- Iowa Code § 633.181Obligees of bond — joint and several liability
- Iowa Code § 633.182Qualifications for sureties
- Iowa Code § 633.183Authority for fiduciary and surety to enter into agreement for deposit of property or joint control
- Iowa Code § 633.184Release of sureties before estate fully administered
- Iowa Code § 633.185Insolvency of fiduciary
- Iowa Code § 633.186Suit on bond
- Iowa Code § 633.187Limitation of action on bond
- Iowa Code § 633.19Process revoked
- Iowa Code § 633.197Compensation — schedule of fees5 cites
- Iowa Code § 633.198Attorney fee
- Iowa Code § 633.199Expenses and extraordinary services2 cites
- Iowa Code § 633.2How probate code to take effect
- Iowa Code § 633.20Referee — clerk — associate probate judge1 cite
- Iowa Code § 633.200Compensation of other fiduciaries and their attorneys
- Iowa Code § 633.201Court officers as fiduciaries
- Iowa Code § 633.202Affidavit relative to compensation
- Iowa Code § 633.203Affidavit for corporate fiduciary
- Iowa Code § 633.204Fees of deceased fiduciary
- Iowa Code § 633.20APart-time associate probate judge — appointment — removal — qualifications
- Iowa Code § 633.20BAppointment and resignation of full-time associate probate judges
- Iowa Code § 633.20CFull-time associate probate judges — term, retention, qualifications
- Iowa Code § 633.20DAssociate probate judge — jurisdiction — appeals
- Iowa Code § 633.21Appraisers’ fees and referees’ fees fixed by rule
- Iowa Code § 633.210Rules of descent
- Iowa Code § 633.211Share of surviving spouse if decedent left no issue or left issue all of whom are issue of surviving spouse2 cites
- Iowa Code § 633.212Share of surviving spouse if decedent left issue some of whom are not issue of surviving spouse
- Iowa Code § 633.213Appraisal
- Iowa Code § 633.214Procedure determined by court
- Iowa Code § 633.215Notice
- Iowa Code § 633.216Objections
- Iowa Code § 633.217Trial
- Iowa Code § 633.218Right of spouse to select property
- Iowa Code § 633.219Share of others than surviving spouse1 cite
- Iowa Code § 633.22Probate powers of clerk
- Iowa Code § 633.220Afterborn heirs — time of determining relationship
- Iowa Code § 633.220APosthumous child
- Iowa Code § 633.221Biological child — inherit from mother
- Iowa Code § 633.222Biological child — inherit from father
- Iowa Code § 633.223Effect of adoption1 cite
- Iowa Code § 633.224Advancements — in general
- Iowa Code § 633.225Valuation of advancements
- Iowa Code § 633.226Death of advancee before intestate
- Iowa Code § 633.227Administration granted
- Iowa Code § 633.228Time allowed
- Iowa Code § 633.229Petition for administration of an intestate estate
- Iowa Code § 633.23Clerk’s actions reviewed
- Iowa Code § 633.230Notice in intestate estates1 cite
- Iowa Code § 633.231Notice in intestate estates — medical assistance claims
- Iowa Code § 633.236Right of elective share of surviving spouse1 cite
- Iowa Code § 633.237Presumption against filing elective share
- Iowa Code § 633.238Elective share of surviving spouse3 cites
- Iowa Code § 633.239Share to embrace homestead
- Iowa Code § 633.24Docketing and hearing
- Iowa Code § 633.240Election to receive homestead
- Iowa Code § 633.241Time for election to receive life estate in homestead
- Iowa Code § 633.242Rights of election personal to surviving spouse1 cite
- Iowa Code § 633.243Filing elections
- Iowa Code § 633.244Incompetent spouse — election by court
- Iowa Code § 633.245Record of election
- Iowa Code § 633.246Election not subject to change
- Iowa Code § 633.246AMedical assistance eligibility
- Iowa Code § 633.247Setting off elective share of surviving spouse
- Iowa Code § 633.248Referee — notice
- Iowa Code § 633.249Mode of setting off share in real estate
- Iowa Code § 633.25Validity of clerk’s orders
- Iowa Code § 633.250Report — delinquency
- Iowa Code § 633.251Confirmation — new reference
- Iowa Code § 633.252Confirmation conclusive — possession
- Iowa Code § 633.253Right contested
- Iowa Code § 633.254Sale — division of proceeds
- Iowa Code § 633.255Purchase of new homestead
- Iowa Code § 633.256Security to avoid sale
- Iowa Code § 633.257Security by surviving spouse
- Iowa Code § 633.258Sale prohibited
- Iowa Code § 633.26Clerk not to prepare reports
- Iowa Code § 633.264Disposal of property by will
- Iowa Code § 633.265Procedure prescribed by will
- Iowa Code § 633.266Adjusted gross estate
- Iowa Code § 633.267Children born or adopted after execution of will
- Iowa Code § 633.268Presumption attending devise to spouse
- Iowa Code § 633.269After acquired property
- Iowa Code § 633.27Probate docket
- Iowa Code § 633.270Contractual or mutual wills
- Iowa Code § 633.271Effect of divorce or dissolution
- Iowa Code § 633.272Partial intestacy
- Iowa Code § 633.273Antilapse statute
- Iowa Code § 633.273ADisposition of failed devise
- Iowa Code § 633.274Exception to antilapse statute
- Iowa Code § 633.275Testamentary additions to trusts
- Iowa Code § 633.276Separate identification of bequest
- Iowa Code § 633.277Uniformity of interpretation
- Iowa Code § 633.278Devise of encumbered property
- Iowa Code § 633.279Signed and witnessed4 cites
- Iowa Code § 633.27ADocketing guardianship and conservatorship proceedings — applicability of separate reporting requirements
- Iowa Code § 633.28Docketing trust proceedings. Repealed by
- Iowa Code § 633.280Competency of witnesses
- Iowa Code § 633.281Interest of witnesses
- Iowa Code § 633.282Defect cured by codicil
- Iowa Code § 633.283Will executed in foreign state or country
- Iowa Code § 633.284Revocation — cancellation — revival
- Iowa Code § 633.285Custodian — filing — penalty
- Iowa Code § 633.286Deposit of will with clerk
- Iowa Code § 633.287Manner of deposit
- Iowa Code § 633.288Delivery by clerk during lifetime of testator
- Iowa Code § 633.289Delivery by clerk after death of testator
- Iowa Code § 633.29Probate record. Repealed by
- Iowa Code § 633.290Petitions after death of testator
- Iowa Code § 633.291Contents of petition for probate of will
- Iowa Code § 633.292Contents of petition for appointment of executor
- Iowa Code § 633.293Hearing upon petition
- Iowa Code § 633.294Order of preference for appointment of executor
- Iowa Code § 633.295Testimony of witnesses2 cites
- Iowa Code § 633.296Deposition
- Iowa Code § 633.297Witnesses unavailable
- Iowa Code § 633.298Order admitting or disallowing probate of will
- Iowa Code § 633.299Order appointing executor
- Iowa Code § 633.3Definitions and use of terms3 cites
- Iowa Code § 633.300Certificate of probate
- Iowa Code § 633.301Copy of will for executor
- Iowa Code § 633.302Clerk filing copies of will
- Iowa Code § 633.303Charitable trusts — copy of wills to attorney general. Repealed by
- Iowa Code § 633.304Notice of probate of will with administration
- Iowa Code § 633.304ANotice of probate of will — medical assistance claims
- Iowa Code § 633.305Notice if no administration
- Iowa Code § 633.306Record in foreign county
- Iowa Code § 633.307Costs of transcript
- Iowa Code § 633.308Setting aside probate of will
- Iowa Code § 633.309Time within which action must be commenced4 cites
- Iowa Code § 633.31Calendar — court costs in probate
- Iowa Code § 633.310Objections prior to admission of will to probate
- Iowa Code § 633.311Contest or objection shall be tried as a law action1 cite
- Iowa Code § 633.312Joinder of parties
- Iowa Code § 633.313Election of defendants to join with contestants
- Iowa Code § 633.314Taxation of costs
- Iowa Code § 633.315Allowance for defending will1 cite
- Iowa Code § 633.316Notice to devisees in other wills
- Iowa Code § 633.317Where will is filed after letters of administration have been granted
- Iowa Code § 633.318Where will is filed after letters testamentary have been granted
- Iowa Code § 633.319Proof of execution
- Iowa Code § 633.32Delinquent inventories and reports3 cites
- Iowa Code § 633.320Declaratory judgment to determine last will
- Iowa Code § 633.33Nature of proceedings in probate5 cites
- Iowa Code § 633.330Character of proceedings
- Iowa Code § 633.331Limitation of administration
- Iowa Code § 633.332Exempt personal property
- Iowa Code § 633.333Proceeds of insurance
- Iowa Code § 633.334Surviving spouse included as “heir”
- Iowa Code § 633.335Share of survivor
- Iowa Code § 633.336Damages for wrongful death1 cite
- Iowa Code § 633.34Applicability of rules of civil procedure
- Iowa Code § 633.342Appointment of temporary administrator pending administration
- Iowa Code § 633.343Appointment of temporary administrator during administration
- Iowa Code § 633.348Right to retain existing property
- Iowa Code § 633.349Security to sustain devise or bequest
- Iowa Code § 633.35Reports and applications for orders
- Iowa Code § 633.350Title to decedent’s estate — when property passes — possession and control thereof — liability for administration expenses, debts, and family allowance2 cites
- Iowa Code § 633.351Possession of real and personal property
- Iowa Code § 633.352Collection of rents and payment of taxes and charges
- Iowa Code § 633.353Surrender of possession upon application by personal representative
- Iowa Code § 633.354Surrender of possession upon application by any interested person
- Iowa Code § 633.355Delivery of specific devise after twelve months1 cite
- Iowa Code § 633.356Distribution of property by affidavit — very small estates
- Iowa Code § 633.357Custodial independent retirement accounts1 cite
- Iowa Code § 633.358Charitable organization beneficiary affidavit and third-party protection
- Iowa Code § 633.36Orders in probate
- Iowa Code § 633.361Report and inventory
- Iowa Code § 633.362Filing mandatory
- Iowa Code § 633.363Reporting failure to court
- Iowa Code § 633.364Supplementary inventory
- Iowa Code § 633.365Appraisement
- Iowa Code § 633.366Debts of executor
- Iowa Code § 633.367Inventory and appraisement as evidence
- Iowa Code § 633.368Property for payment of creditor’s claims
- Iowa Code § 633.37Orders without notice
- Iowa Code § 633.374Allowance to surviving spouse2 cites
- Iowa Code § 633.375Review of allowance to surviving spouse
- Iowa Code § 633.376Allowance to children who do not reside with surviving spouse
- Iowa Code § 633.377Review of allowance to minor children
- Iowa Code § 633.38Time and place of hearing
- Iowa Code § 633.383When power given in will
- Iowa Code § 633.384Equitable conversion and power of sale
- Iowa Code § 633.385Conversion
- Iowa Code § 633.386Sale, mortgage, pledge, lease or exchange of property — purposes
- Iowa Code § 633.387Sale of personal property without order of court
- Iowa Code § 633.388Petition to sell, mortgage, exchange, pledge or lease property
- Iowa Code § 633.389Notice on sale, mortgage, exchange, pledge, or lease of property
- Iowa Code § 633.39Place of hearing — noncontest or agreement
- Iowa Code § 633.390Sale subject to mortgage
- Iowa Code § 633.391Quieting adverse claims
- Iowa Code § 633.392Terms of sale
- Iowa Code § 633.393Purchase by holder of lien
- Iowa Code § 633.394Order to sell, mortgage, pledge, exchange or lease to be refused if bond given
- Iowa Code § 633.395Validity of proceedings
- Iowa Code § 633.396Order for sale, mortgage, pledge, exchange or lease of real property
- Iowa Code § 633.397Sale at public auction
- Iowa Code § 633.398Adjournment of sale at public auction
- Iowa Code § 633.399Report for approval
- Iowa Code § 633.4Gender and number. Repealed by
- Iowa Code § 633.40Notice in probate proceedings
- Iowa Code § 633.400Joining report with petition
- Iowa Code § 633.401Record in foreign county
- Iowa Code § 633.402Sale defined
- Iowa Code § 633.41Consular representatives — notice
- Iowa Code § 633.410Limitation on filing claims against decedent’s estate2 cites
- Iowa Code § 633.411Pleading statute of limitations
- Iowa Code § 633.412When claim not affected by statute of limitations
- Iowa Code § 633.413Claims barred when no administration commenced
- Iowa Code § 633.414Liens not affected by failure to file claim
- Iowa Code § 633.415Commencement or continuance of separate action
- Iowa Code § 633.416Compulsory counterclaims — rules of civil procedure
- Iowa Code § 633.417Separate action in lieu of proceeding on claims
- Iowa Code § 633.418Form and verification of claims — general requirements
- Iowa Code § 633.419Requirements when claim founded on written instrument
- Iowa Code § 633.42Requests for notice
- Iowa Code § 633.420How claim entitled
- Iowa Code § 633.421Unsecured claims not yet due
- Iowa Code § 633.422Secured claims not yet due
- Iowa Code § 633.423Procedure for secured claims
- Iowa Code § 633.424Contingent claims
- Iowa Code § 633.425Classification of debts and charges
- Iowa Code § 633.426Order of payment of debts and charges
- Iowa Code § 633.427Payment of contingent claims by distributees — contribution
- Iowa Code § 633.428Allowance by personal representative
- Iowa Code § 633.429Compelling payment of claims
- Iowa Code § 633.43Notice and appearance
- Iowa Code § 633.430Execution and levies prohibited
- Iowa Code § 633.431Claims of personal representative
- Iowa Code § 633.432Allowance or disallowance of claim of personal representative
- Iowa Code § 633.433Payment of debts and charges before expiration of four-month period
- Iowa Code § 633.434Payment of debts and charges after expiration of period following notice
- Iowa Code § 633.435Debts and charges not filed
- Iowa Code § 633.436General order for abatement1 cite
- Iowa Code § 633.437Contrary provision as to abatement
- Iowa Code § 633.438General denial of claims
- Iowa Code § 633.439Disallowance by personal representative
- Iowa Code § 633.44Waiver of service of notice
- Iowa Code § 633.440Contents of notice of disallowance
- Iowa Code § 633.441Proof of service
- Iowa Code § 633.442Claims barred after twenty days
- Iowa Code § 633.443Request for hearing by claimant
- Iowa Code § 633.444Applicability of rules of civil procedure
- Iowa Code § 633.445Offsets and counterclaims
- Iowa Code § 633.446Burden of proof
- Iowa Code § 633.447Trial and hearing
- Iowa Code § 633.448Allowance and judgment
- Iowa Code § 633.449Payment of federal estate taxes
- Iowa Code § 633.45Notice of order served on fiduciary and attorney
- Iowa Code § 633.46Proof of publication
- Iowa Code § 633.469Interlocutory report
- Iowa Code § 633.47Proof of service and payment of costs
- Iowa Code § 633.470Waiver of accounting
- Iowa Code § 633.471Right of retainer
- Iowa Code § 633.472Property distributed in kind
- Iowa Code § 633.473Final settlement — time limit2 cites
- Iowa Code § 633.475Compromise of personal taxes
- Iowa Code § 633.476Action against distributees — costs — tender
- Iowa Code § 633.477Final report1 cite
- Iowa Code § 633.478Notice of application for discharge
- Iowa Code § 633.479Discharge
- Iowa Code § 633.48Certified copies affecting foreign real estate
- Iowa Code § 633.480Certificate to county recorder for tax purposes with administration
- Iowa Code § 633.481Certificate to county recorder for tax purposes without administration
- Iowa Code § 633.487Limitation on rights1 cite
- Iowa Code § 633.488Reopening settlement
- Iowa Code § 633.489Reopening administration1 cite
- Iowa Code § 633.49Transfer to another county
- Iowa Code § 633.495Admission of wills of nonresidents
- Iowa Code § 633.496Foreign probated wills
- Iowa Code § 633.497Foreign wills as a muniment of title
- Iowa Code § 633.498Foreign wills — procedure
- Iowa Code § 633.5Nonestate property — insurance proceeds
- Iowa Code § 633.50Certified copy of transferring court’s records
- Iowa Code § 633.500Appointment of foreign administrator
- Iowa Code § 633.501Application for appointment of foreign administrator
- Iowa Code § 633.502Appointment of foreign fiduciary
- Iowa Code § 633.503Application for appointment of foreign executor or trustee
- Iowa Code § 633.504Removal of property — payment of claims
- Iowa Code § 633.51Filing of certified copy by receiving court
- Iowa Code § 633.510Administration authorized — petition
- Iowa Code § 633.511Notice
- Iowa Code § 633.512Service
- Iowa Code § 633.513Proof of service — filing
- Iowa Code § 633.514Hearing — continuance — orders
- Iowa Code § 633.515Administration
- Iowa Code § 633.516Rights of absentee barred — sale by spouse
- Iowa Code § 633.517Missing soldiers or sailors — presumption of death
- Iowa Code § 633.518Presumption of death — petition and inquiry
- Iowa Code § 633.519Presumption of death — verdict and entry of order
- Iowa Code § 633.52Mistakes corrected
- Iowa Code § 633.520Presumption of death — natural or man-made disaster
- Iowa Code § 633.523No sufficient evidence of survivorship
- Iowa Code § 633.524Beneficiaries of another person’s disposition of property
- Iowa Code § 633.525Joint tenants
- Iowa Code § 633.526Insurance policies
- Iowa Code § 633.527Limitation of application
- Iowa Code § 633.528Uniformity of interpretation
- Iowa Code § 633.53Submission and retention of vouchers and receipts
- Iowa Code § 633.535Person causing death or injury
- Iowa Code § 633.536Procedure to deny benefits to a person causing death or injury
- Iowa Code § 633.537Third party nonliability
- Iowa Code § 633.543Proceedings for escheat
- Iowa Code § 633.544Notice to persons interested
- Iowa Code § 633.545Sale — proceeds
- Iowa Code § 633.546Payment to person entitled
- Iowa Code § 633.551General provisions
- Iowa Code § 633.552Basis for appointment of guardian for an adult
- Iowa Code § 633.553Basis for appointment of conservator for an adult
- Iowa Code § 633.554Basis for appointment of conservator for a minor
- Iowa Code § 633.555Procedure in lieu of conservatorship for minor
- Iowa Code § 633.556Petition for appointment of guardian or conservator for an adult
- Iowa Code § 633.557Petition for appointment of a conservator for a minor
- Iowa Code § 633.558Notice to adult respondent
- Iowa Code § 633.559Notice to minor respondent
- Iowa Code § 633.560Hearing
- Iowa Code § 633.560AMediation
- Iowa Code § 633.561Appointment and role of attorney for respondent
- Iowa Code § 633.562Appointment and role of court visitor
- Iowa Code § 633.563Court-ordered professional evaluation
- Iowa Code § 633.564Background check of proposed guardian or conservator
- Iowa Code § 633.565Qualifications and selection of guardian or conservator for an adult
- Iowa Code § 633.566Preference as to appointment of conservator
- Iowa Code § 633.567Appointment of guardian or conservator on a standby basis for minor approaching majority
- Iowa Code § 633.568Appointment of guardian for an adult on a standby basis
- Iowa Code § 633.569Emergency appointment of temporary guardian or conservator
- Iowa Code § 633.570Notification of guardianship and conservatorship powers
- Iowa Code § 633.571Preference as to appointment of conservator. Transferred to §633.566;
- Iowa Code § 633.574Procedure in lieu of conservatorship for a minor. Transferred to §633.555;1 cite
- Iowa Code § 633.580Petition for appointment of conservator for absentee
- Iowa Code § 633.581Original notice governed by rules of civil procedure
- Iowa Code § 633.582Notice on county attorney
- Iowa Code § 633.583Pleadings and trial — rules of civil procedure
- Iowa Code § 633.584Appointment of conservator
- Iowa Code § 633.585Appointment of temporary conservator
- Iowa Code § 633.591Voluntary petition for appointment of conservator — standby basis
- Iowa Code § 633.591AVoluntary petition for appointment of conservator for a minor — standby basis
- Iowa Code § 633.592Petition may nominate conservator
Enacted in other states
Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Indiana, Nebraska, Wyoming
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