Iowa Probate | Iowa Inheritance Advances

Iowa Probate Process

The Iowa probate process serves a vital purpose. When a resident of Iowa dies, the Iowa probate courts oversee the distribution of all assets and belongings left behind. They first appoint a representative to be in charge of the estate, collect and itemize all assets and monetary accounts, pay all outstanding debts and determine the validity of any existing wills. Finally, after successfully completing all the other steps, the Iowa probate courts will authorize the distribution of inheritance funds to the rightful heirs.

Is Probate Required in Iowa?

Most inheritance cases in Iowa will require probate. However, there are a few exceptions, such as having an estate with a value of less than $25,000 that only includes personal property. If you name a beneficiary to your assets, you can also avoid probate. An estate may qualify for different types of probate, with some specifically for small estates.

How Do You Avoid Probate in Iowa?

If the individual has a revocable living trust with estate assets and names a beneficiary, you can avoid probate. You can also skip the process if the individual names a beneficiary for all assets. For example, an individual can name a beneficiary for life insurance policies and retirement accounts. Individuals also have the option to list bank accounts as payable on death to circumvent the probate process.

How Long Does Probate Take in Iowa?

The Iowa probate process will vary between estates. Unless you are eligible for a specific exception, you can expect to complete your probate within five years of the individual’s death. Many cases will resolve within a year, but others may take longer if there is a dispute over the will.

How Long Do You Have to File Probate After Death?

While there is no specific timeline, a person with possession of the will must file it after learning of the person’s death. By filing the will promptly, you can begin the probate process as soon as possible.

What Happens if Someone Dies Without a Will?

If you die without a will, Iowa’s laws will label your estate as intestate, which means that the court will use intestate succession laws to determine who will inherit your assets and how much they will receive. A probate court will also appoint a personal representative or executor to oversee the estate during the probate process.

Does Iowa Have an Inheritance or Estate Tax?

Iowa does not have an estate tax, but the state taxes inheritances. Inheritances less than $25,000 are exempt from inheritance taxes due to their size.

If you are a parent, child, grandparent, grandchild, stepchild or great-grandchild of the deceased, you do not owe inheritance taxes because you fall into the beneficiaries eligible for Tax Rate A.

Most heirs will need to be mindful of two other inheritance tax rates. These brackets are determined by how close the law deems each heir is in relation to the deceased. One of these categories applies to Tax Rate B beneficiaries, which include:

  • Siblings
  • Half siblings
  • Spouses of the decedent’s children

There is also Tax Rate C for beneficiaries, which applies to:

  • Foster children
  • Sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law
  • Aunts and uncles
  • Cousins
  • Nieces and nephews

Spouses in Iowa Inheritance Law

Iowa does not have community property, which means your spouse’s inheritance will largely depend upon whether you have children from another relationship. If you do not have children, your spouse will inherit all your assets. The spouse will also inherit all your assets if you have children from your relationship with them.

Delays to Your Inheritance in Iowa

The key problem with the process of probate in Iowa is that it takes an extremely long time from start to finish. While probate in Iowa is in process, heirs are not able to access the money their loved one wanted them to have. To make matters worse, the average estate in the US takes a full year and a half to finally distribute the inheritance money to the heirs. This fact is shocking to most heirs in Iowa and elsewhere who are understandably new to the process. Having a rightful inheritance blocked for years by a legal process can prove very frustrating.

Access Your Inheritance in Iowa Immediately

With an inheritance advance from IFC, you can access the money your loved one meant for you to have during the process of probate in Iowa. The process is fast and easy and you decide how much of your inheritance you’d like to receive immediately. Whether you have bills to pay, car payments to make, home improvements, vacation plans, etc. – the money is yours to use however you’d like. And unlike with a probate loan, you aren’t liable for repayment. We collect our payment directly from the estate when the probate process is complete.

With over 25 years of experience and over $200 million advanced to thousands of heirs across the country just like you, we have the expertise and size to help you immediately. Let our friendly staff give you a free, no obligation consultation. We’re more than happy to walk you through the Iowa probate process and answer all of your questions relating to probate in Iowa.

There are no hidden fees, no monthly payments, and credit and income are never an issue. There’s no need to wait years for what’s yours; call us today and access your money right away.