Enter the date of death. Get every Iowa probate deadline automatically — filing the will, appointing the executor, notice to creditors, inventory, closing the estate.
Iowa probate is more predictable than most people think. Here is the actual calendar I walk every executor through on day one. Most Polk, Dallas, and Warren County estates fall on this exact timeline.
The original will must be filed with the clerk of district court in the county where the decedent lived, within 30 days of death. The petition for probate is filed at the same time.
The court issues "Letters Testamentary" (or "Letters of Appointment" if there's no will) giving the executor legal authority to act for the estate. This is when most banks, insurance companies, and the post office will start cooperating with you.
The executor publishes a notice to creditors in the local newspaper (usually the Des Moines Register for Polk County). This starts the 4-month claim window.
An inventory of all estate assets must be filed within 60 days of the executor's appointment. Real property is appraised — this is also when I do my free CMA (comparative market analysis) so the executor knows the realistic sale range.
The decedent's homeowner policy usually stops covering the house once they pass. The executor must move to a vacant home insurance policy immediately. This is the single most expensive mistake I see executors make — and it's where my CPCU background catches the gap on day one.
Real property can be sold during probate with court authorization. Most executors choose to sell early because vacant homes deteriorate fast and insurance/utilities/property tax run the estate down. Proceeds go into the estate account.
After the 4-month creditor period closes, the executor pays valid claims, taxes, and final expenses out of the estate account.
The executor files a final accounting with the court showing all income, expenses, and proposed distributions. Once the court approves, the remaining assets are distributed to heirs and the estate is closed.
Iowa probate typically takes 6 to 12 months from filing to closing. Simple estates with no contested claims and no real property can sometimes close in 4-6 months. Contested estates or those with complex assets can take 18+ months.
Once the executor is officially appointed by the Iowa district court (usually 2-4 weeks after filing the will) and has authority to act, they can list and sell estate real property with court approval. The proceeds are held in the estate account until distribution at the end of probate.
Iowa requires a 4-month creditor claim period after the notice to creditors is published. During this window, creditors can file claims against the estate. Real property can still be sold during this period as long as funds are reserved to satisfy known claims.
No. Assets held in a revocable living trust, jointly titled assets with right of survivorship, payable-on-death and transfer-on-death accounts, and assets with named beneficiaries (life insurance, retirement accounts) all pass outside of probate.
Iowa probate follows a predictable calendar driven by statutory deadlines in Iowa Code Chapter 633. Enter the date of death and this tool calculates every key deadline the executor will face:
These are typical Iowa deadlines. Specific cases may vary based on the county, the complexity of the estate, and contested issues. For legal advice on your specific situation, consult an Iowa probate attorney.
Print this calculator's results and share them with the probate attorney, the co-executor, and family members. Clear shared expectations prevent 80% of family conflict during probate.
For a deeper walk-through of executor responsibilities at each step, see the Iowa Executor Duties Checklist.
Free 30-minute consultation for Iowa executors and heirs. No pressure, no obligation.
Book a Call