CHAPTER 633
PROBATE CODE

Referred to in §10.1, 135C.24, 141A.1, 144B.6, 144F.1, 217.13, 222.34, 231E.5, 231E.6, 231E.8, 231E.12, 232.3, 232D.105, 232D.202, 232D.308, 232D.402, 235B.2, 235B.3, 235B.18, 235E.1, 235E.2, 235F.1, 235F.6, 239B.13, 252B.6A, 455B.172, 507B.4C, 524.1003, 524.1004, 524.1007, 524.1009, 558A.1, 565B.24, 602.6306, 602.8102(105), 633A.1107, 633A.3110, 635.1, 635.7, 635.8, 635.13, 726.24, 815.11
Guardianships for minors, see chapter 232D
Iowa trust code, see chapter 633A
Powers of attorney, see chapter 633B
Medical assistance trusts, see chapter 633C
Transfer on death security registration, see chapter 633D
Uniform disclaimer of property interest Act, see chapter 633E

SUBCHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION AND DEFINITIONS
PART 1
INTRODUCTION

     
633.1  Short title.
  This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the “Iowa Probate Code”.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.1]

     
633.2  How probate code to take effect.
  1.  Effective date.  This probate code shall take effect and be in force on and after January 1, 1964. The procedure herein prescribed shall govern all proceedings in probate brought after the effective date of this probate code. It shall also govern further procedure in proceedings in probate then pending, except to the extent that, in the opinion of the court, its application in particular proceedings or parts thereof would not be feasible or would work injustice, in which event the former procedure shall apply.
  2.  Rights not affected.  No act done in any proceeding commenced before this probate code takes effect and no accrued or vested right shall be impaired by its provisions. When a right has been acquired, extinguished, or barred upon the expiration of a prescribed period of time governed by the provision of any statute in force before this probate code takes effect, such provision shall remain in force and be deemed a part of this probate code with respect to such right.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.2]
2005 Acts, ch 38, §51
PART 2
DEFINITIONS AND USE OF TERMS

  
     
633.3  Definitions and use of terms.
  When used in this probate code, unless otherwise required by the context, or another subchapter of this probate code, the following words and phrases shall be construed as follows:
  1.  “Administrator” means any person appointed by the court to administer an intestate estate.
  2.  “Assistance animal” means an animal that qualifies as a reasonable accommodation under the federal Fair Housing Act, 42 U.S.C. §3601 et seq., as amended, or section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 U.S.C. §794, as amended. 
  3.  “Assistive animal” means a simian or other animal specially trained or in the process of being trained to assist a person with a disability.
  4.  “Bequeath” includes the word “devise” when used as a verb.
  5.  “Bequest” includes the word “devise” when used as a noun.
  6.  “Charges” includes costs of administration, funeral expenses, cost of monument, and federal estate taxes.
  7.  “Child” includes an adopted child but does not include a grandchild or other more remote descendants, nor, except as provided in sections 633.221 and 633.222, a biological child.
  8.  “Clerk” means “clerk of the district court” in the county in which the matter is pending and includes the term “clerk of the probate court”.
  9.  “Conservator” means a person appointed by the court to have the custody and control of the property of a ward under the provisions of this probate code.
  10.  “Costs of administration” includes court costs, fiduciary’s fees, attorney fees, all appraisers’ fees, premiums on corporate surety bonds, statutory allowance for support of surviving spouse and children, cost of continuation of abstracts of title, recording fees, transfer fees, transfer taxes, agents’ fees allowed by order of court, interest expense, including but not limited to interest payable on extension of federal estate tax, and all other fees and expenses allowed by order of court in connection with the administration of the estate. Court costs shall include expenses of selling property.
  11.  “Court” means the Iowa district court sitting in probate and includes any Iowa district judge.
  12.  “Debts” includes liabilities of the decedent which survive, whether arising in contract, tort, or otherwise.
  13.  “Devise”, when used as a noun, includes testamentary disposition of property, both real and personal.
  14.  “Devise”, when used as a verb, means to dispose of property, both real and personal, by a will.
  15.  “Devisee” includes legatee.
  16.  “Distributee” means a person entitled to any property of the decedent under the decedent’s will or under the statutes of intestate succession.
  17.  “Estate” means the real and personal property of either a decedent or a ward, and may also refer to the real and personal property of a trust described in section 633.10.
  18.  “Executor” means any person appointed by the court to administer the estate of a testate decedent.
  19.  “Fiduciary” includes personal representative, executor, administrator, guardian, conservator, and the trustee of any trust described in section 633.10.
  20.  “Full age” means the state of legal majority attained through arriving at the age of eighteen years or through having married, even though such marriage is terminated by divorce.
  21.  “Functional limitations” means the behavior or condition of a person which impairs the person’s ability to care for the person’s personal safety or to attend to or provide for necessities for the person.
  22.  “Guardian” means the person appointed by the court to have the custody of the person of the ward under the provisions of this probate code.
  23.  “Guardian of the property” — at the election of the person appointed by the court to have the custody and care of the property of a ward, the term “guardian of the property” may be used, which term shall be synonymous with the term “conservator”.
  24.  “Heir” means any person, except the surviving spouse, who is entitled to property of a decedent under the statutes of intestate succession.
  25.  “Incompetent” means the condition of any person who has been adjudicated by a court to meet at least one of the following conditions:
  a.  To have a decision-making capacity which is so impaired that the person is unable to care for the person’s personal safety or to attend to or provide for necessities for the person such as food, shelter, clothing, or medical care, without which physical injury or illness may occur.
  b.  To have a decision-making capacity which is so impaired that the person is unable to make, communicate, or carry out important decisions concerning the person’s financial affairs.
  c.  To have a decision-making capacity which is so impaired that both paragraphs “a” and “b” are applicable to the person.
  26.  “Issue”, for the purposes of intestate succession, includes all lawful lineal descendants of a person, whether biological or adopted, except those who are the lineal descendants of the person’s living descendants.
  27.  “Legacy” means a testamentary disposition of personal property.
  28.  “Legatee” means a person entitled to personal property under a will.
  29.  “Letters” includes letters testamentary, letters of administration, letters of guardianship, letters of conservatorship, and letters of trusteeship.
  30.  “Limited guardianship” means a guardianship that grants the guardian less than all powers available under this chapter or otherwise restricts the powers of the guardian.
  31.  “Minor” means a person who is not of full age.
  32.  “Person” includes natural persons and corporations.
  33.  “Personal representative” includes executor and administrator.
  34.  “Probate assets” means a decedent’s property subject to administration by a personal representative.
  35.  “Property” includes both real and personal property.
  36.  “Protected person” means a person subject to guardianship or a person subject to conservatorship, or both.
  37.  “Respondent” means a person who is alleged to be a person in need of a guardianship or conservatorship, or both.
  38.  “Service animal” means a dog or miniature horse as set forth in the implementing regulations of Title II and Title III of the federal Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, 42 U.S.C. §12101 et seq.
  39.  “Surviving spouse” means the surviving wife or husband, as the case may be.
  40.  “Temporary administrator” means any person appointed by the court to care for an estate pending the probating of a proposed will, or to handle any special matter designated by the court.
  41.  “Trustee” means the person or persons serving as trustee of a trust described in section 633.10.
  42.  “Trusts” includes only those trusts described in section 633.10.
  43.  “Will” includes codicil; it also includes a testamentary instrument that merely appoints an executor, and a testamentary instrument that merely revokes or revives another will.
[C51, §1286; R60, §2318; C73, §2336; C97, §3280; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §11860; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §633.15; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.3]
94 Acts, ch 1046, §26; 97 Acts, ch 178, §1, 2; 2005 Acts, ch 38, §2 – 5, 51; 2006 Acts, ch 1010, §154; 2008 Acts, ch 1119, §14; 2011 Acts, ch 34, §138; 2012 Acts, ch 1021, §108; 2014 Acts, ch 1076, §21; 2018 Acts, ch 1041, §127; 2018 Acts, ch 1140, §1, 6, 8; 2019 Acts, ch 24, §86; 2019 Acts, ch 57, §6, 43, 44; 2020 Acts, ch 1063, §333; 2022 Acts, ch 1021, §163
Referred to in §231E.3, 232.2, 235F.1, 249A.53, 422.7(43)(c), 450.1, 523A.102, 600A.2, 611.22, 633.63, 633.89, 633.551, 633.701, 633A.3113, 633F.1, 638.2
2018 amendment adding subsection 34 applies July 1, 2018, to estates of decedents dying on or after July 1, 2018, and other estates opened previously and for which administration has not been completed as of July 1, 2018; 
2018 Acts, ch 1140, §8
Subsections 2, 3, 30, 36, 37, and 38 take effect January 1, 2020, and apply to guardianships and guardianship proceedings for adults and conservatorships and conservatorship proceedings for adults and minors established or pending before, on, or after that date; 2019 Acts, ch 57, §43, 44
Subsections 1, 8, 11, 14, 16, 17, 18, 20, 21, 24, 27, 28, 31, 34, 39, 40, and 41 amended

633.4  Gender and number.  Repealed by 
2000 Acts, ch 1188, §4
. 

     
633.5  Nonestate property — insurance proceeds.
  A decedent’s estate shall not include life insurance proceeds, unless the proceeds are payable to the decedent’s estate.
94 Acts, ch 1153, §7
633.6 through 633.9Reserved.

SUBCHAPTER II
PROBATE COURT, CLERK OF PROBATE COURT, AND PROCEDURE IN PROBATE
PART 1
PROBATE COURT

  
     
633.10  Jurisdiction.
  In addition to the jurisdiction granted the district court under the trust code, chapter 633A, or elsewhere, the district court sitting in probate shall have jurisdiction of:
  1.  Estates of decedents and absentees.  The probate and contest of wills; the appointment of personal representatives; the granting of letters testamentary and of administration; the administration, settlement and distribution of estates of decedents and absentees, whether such estates consist of real or personal property or both.
  2.  Construction of wills.  The construction of wills during the administration of the estate, whether said construction be incident to such administration, or as a separate proceeding.
  3.  Conservatorships and guardianships.
  a.  Except as provided for in paragraph “b”, the appointment of conservators and guardians; the granting of letters of conservatorship and guardianship; the administration, settlement and closing of conservatorships and guardianships.
  b.  Beginning January 1, 2020, minor guardianships are under the exclusive jurisdiction of the juvenile court pursuant to, and except as limited by, chapter 232D.
  4.  Trusts and trustees.
  a.  The ongoing administration and supervision, including but not limited to the appointment of trustees, the granting of letters of trusteeship, trust administration, and trust settlement and closing, of the following trusts:
  (1)  A trust that was in existence on July 1, 2005, and that is subject to continuous court supervision.
  (2)  A trust established by court decree that is subject to continuous court supervision.
  b.  A trust described in paragraph “a” shall be governed by this chapter and the provisions of chapter 633A which are not inconsistent with the provisions of this chapter.
  c.  A trust not described in paragraph “a” shall be governed exclusively by chapter 633A and shall be subject to the jurisdiction of the district court sitting in probate only as provided in section 633A.6101.
  d.  Upon joint application by all trustees administering a trust described in paragraph “a” and following notice to the beneficiaries pursuant to section 633.40, the court shall release the trust from further jurisdiction unless a beneficiary objects. The court whose decree created the trust may release the trust from continuous court supervision following notice to the beneficiary pursuant to section 633.40. If such judicial release occurs for a trust previously governed by this chapter, such trust shall be governed by chapter 633A and the district court sitting in probate only as provided in section 633A.6101.
  5.  Actions for accounting.  An action for an accounting against a beneficiary of a transfer on death security registration, pursuant to chapter 633D.
[C73, §2312; C97, §225; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §10763, 10764; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §604.3, 604.4; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.10]
85 Acts, ch 154, §1; 91 Acts, ch 36, §1; 97 Acts, ch 178, §3; 99 Acts, ch 56, §2; 2005 Acts, ch 38, §6 – 8, 55; 2005 Acts, ch 179, §139; 2006 Acts, ch 1010, §155; 2019 Acts, ch 56, §36, 44, 45
Referred to in §633.3, 633.27, 633.751, 633A.1107, 633A.6101
Applicability of probate code to trusts, see §633.751
See also §633A.1107 
2019 amendment to subsection 3 is effective January 1, 2020, and applies to guardianships and guardianship proceedings of minors established or pending before, on, or after that date; 2019 Acts, ch 56, §44, 45

  
     
633.11  Declaratory judgments — determination of heirship — distribution.
  During the administration of an estate, the district court sitting in probate shall have full, legal and equitable powers to make declaratory judgments in all matters involved in the administration of the estate, including those pertaining to the title of real estate, the determination of heirship, and the distribution of the estate. It shall have full, legal and equitable powers to enter final orders and decrees in all probate matters to effectuate its jurisdiction and to carry out its orders, judgments, and decrees.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.11]

     
633.12  County of jurisdiction.
  The court of each county shall have original and exclusive jurisdiction to administer the estates of all persons who are residents of the county, or who were residents at the time of their death, and all nonresidents of the state who have property, or who die leaving property in the county subject to administration, or whose property is afterwards brought into the county; to appoint conservators for nonresidents having property in the county; and to appoint conservators and guardians of residents of the county.
[C73, §2312; C97, §225; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §10763, 10764; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §604.3, 604.4; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.12]

  
     
633.13  Extent of jurisdiction.
  1.  The court of the county in which a will is probated, or in which administration, conservatorship or guardianship is granted, shall have jurisdiction coextensive with the state in the settlement of the estate, and in the sale and distribution thereof.
  2.  A district judge or a district associate judge has statewide jurisdiction to enter orders in probate matters not requiring notice and hearing, although the judge is not a judge of or present in the district in which the probate matter is pending. The orders shall be made in conformity with the rules of the district in which the probate matter is pending.
[R60, §2472; C73, §2319; C97, §3265; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §11825; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §631.7; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.13]
83 Acts, ch 186, §10119, 10201; 94 Acts, ch 1122, §2; 2020 Acts, ch 1062, §94

  
     
633.14  Concurrent jurisdiction.
  When a case is originally within the jurisdiction of the courts of two or more counties, the court which first takes cognizance of the case by the commencement of the proceedings shall retain jurisdiction throughout the case.
[C51, §1274; R60, §2306; C73, §2318; C97, §3264; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §11824; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §631.6; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.14]
2020 Acts, ch 1063, §334

633.15  Probate court always open.  Repealed by 
2003 Acts, ch 151, §62
. 

     
633.16  Control of probate records.
  The court shall have jurisdiction and supervision of the probate records of the clerk, and may direct the destruction of records it deems to be old, obsolete or unnecessary.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.16]
93 Acts, ch 70, §10

     
633.17  Judge disqualified — procedure.
  When a judge is disqualified from acting in a probate matter, the matter shall be heard before another judge of the same district, or shall be transferred to the court of another district, or a judge of another district shall be procured to hold court for the hearing of the matter.
[C73, §2317; C97, §3263; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §11823; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §631.5; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.17]
83 Acts, ch 186, §10120, 10201
Disqualification of judicial officer, see §602.1606 

     
633.18  Rules in probate.
  1.  Actions and proceedings under this chapter are subject to rules prescribed by the supreme court under section 602.4201.
  2.  The judicial officers of a judicial district, excluding the magistrates, acting under section 602.1213 may prescribe rules for probate actions and proceedings within the district, but these rules must be consistent with this chapter, and are subject to the approval of the supreme court.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.18]
83 Acts, ch 186, §10121, 10201; 96 Acts, ch 1153, §7
Rules adopted by the supreme court are published in the compilation “Iowa Court Rules” 

     
633.19  Process revoked.
  Any process or authority emanating from the court in probate matters may for good cause be revoked and a new one issued.
[C51, §1275; R60, §2307; C73, §2320; C97, §3266; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §11827; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §631.9; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.19]

     
633.20  Referee — clerk — associate probate judge.
  1.  The chief judge of the judicial district may appoint a referee in probate for the auditing of the accounts of fiduciaries and for the performance of other ministerial duties the chief judge prescribes. A person shall not be appointed as referee in a matter where the person is acting as a fiduciary or as the attorney.
  2.  The chief judge of the judicial district may appoint the clerk as referee in probate. In such cases, the fees received by the clerk for serving in the capacity of referee are fees of the office of the clerk of court and shall be deposited in the account established under section 602.8108.
  3.  A person appointed as an associate probate judge shall have jurisdiction to audit accounts of fiduciaries and to perform ministerial duties as a referee provided in this section and shall have additional jurisdiction to perform the judicial functions provided in section 633.20D.
[C73, §2412; C97, §3393; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §12041; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §638.1; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.20]
83 Acts, ch 186, §10122, 10201; 93 Acts, ch 70, §11; 94 Acts, ch 1074, §11; 99 Acts, ch 93, §11; 2000 Acts, ch 1057, §17; 2010 Acts, ch 1159, §13

     
633.20A  Part-time associate probate judge — appointment — removal — qualifications.
  The chief judge of a judicial district may appoint a part-time associate probate judge and may remove the part-time associate probate judge for cause following a hearing. The part-time associate probate judge shall be an attorney admitted to practice law in this state and shall be qualified for the position by training and experience.
99 Acts, ch 93, §12; 2000 Acts, ch 1154, §38

     
633.20B  Appointment and resignation of full-time associate probate judges.
  1.  Full-time associate probate judges shall be appointed by the governor from persons nominated by the district judicial nominating commission in the same manner as district judges under chapter 46.
  2.  A full-time associate probate judge who seeks to resign from the office of full-time associate probate judge shall notify in writing the governor, the chief judge of the judicial district, and the state commissioner of elections as to the full-time associate probate judge’s intention to resign and the effective date of the resignation.
  3.  When a vacancy occurs or will occur within one hundred twenty days in the office of a full-time associate probate judge, the state commissioner of elections shall forthwith so notify the governor. The governor shall call a meeting of the commission within ten days after such notice. If the governor fails to do so, the chief justice shall call such meeting.
99 Acts, ch 93, §13, 15; 99 Acts, ch 208, §62; 2003 Acts, ch 151, §51, 64; 2022 Acts, ch 1033, §12
Referred to in §602.2301, 602.6113
Section stricken and rewritten

     
633.20C  Full-time associate probate judges — term, retention, qualifications.
  1.  Full-time associate probate judges shall serve terms and shall stand for retention in office within the judicial election districts of their residences as provided under sections 46.16 through 46.24.
  2.  A person does not qualify for appointment to the office of full-time associate probate judge unless the person is at the time of appointment licensed to practice law in Iowa and will be able, measured by the person’s age at the time of appointment, to complete the initial term of office prior to reaching age seventy-two. A nominee to the office of full-time associate probate judge must reside in the judicial election district to which the nominee is nominated or in a contiguous county to the judicial election district to which the nominee is nominated.
  3.  A full-time associate probate judge must be a resident of the judicial election district in which the office is held before assuming office and during the entire term of office. A full-time associate probate judge shall serve within the judicial district in which appointed, as directed by the chief judge, and is subject to reassignment under section 602.6108.
  4.  Full-time associate probate judges shall qualify for office as provided in chapter 63 for district judges.
99 Acts, ch 93, §14, 15; 2022 Acts, ch 1033, §13
Subsections 2 and 3 amended

     
633.20D  Associate probate judge — jurisdiction — appeals.
  1.  An associate probate judge shall have the same jurisdiction to conduct probate court proceedings, to issue no-contact or protective orders, injunctions, contempt orders for adults in probate court proceedings, and to issue orders, findings, and decisions as the judge of the probate court. However, the chief judge may limit the exercise of probate court jurisdiction by the associate probate judge.
  2.  The parties to a proceeding heard by an associate probate judge are entitled to appeal the order, finding, or decision of an associate probate judge, in the manner of an appeal from orders, findings, or decisions of district court judges. An appeal does not automatically stay the order, finding, or decision of an associate probate judge.
2010 Acts, ch 1159, §14
Referred to in §633.20

     
633.21  Appraisers’ fees and referees’ fees fixed by rule.
  The district judges of each judicial district shall by rule fix the fees of probate referees, and also provide, insofar as practicable, a uniform schedule of compensation for inheritance tax appraisers, other appraisers, brokers, and agents employed at estate expense.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.21]
83 Acts, ch 186, §10123, 10201
PART 2
CLERK OF PROBATE COURT

  
     
633.22  Probate powers of clerk.
  The clerk shall have and may exercise within the county all the powers and jurisdiction of the court and of the judge thereof, in the following matters:
  1.  The examination and approval of all intermediate and interlocutory accounts and reports of fiduciaries under this chapter and converting and closing small estates under chapter 635.
  2.  The entering of routine scheduling orders in probate matters as established by the chief judge in each judicial district.
[C51, §1276; R60, §2308; C73, §2315, 2321; C97, §250, 3267, 3268; S13, §3268; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §11828, 11832, 11838; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §631.10, 632.1, 632.7; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.22]
94 Acts, ch 1050, §1; 2005 Acts, ch 38, §51; 2018 Acts, ch 1027, §1, 8
Referred to in §633.23, 633.25

  
     
633.23  Clerk’s actions reviewed.
  Any person aggrieved by any order made or entered by the clerk under the powers conferred in section 633.22, subsection 1, may have the same reviewed in court upon motion filed within six months or before the hearing on the final report of the fiduciary, whichever is the earlier, and upon such notice as provided in section 633.40.
[C97, §251; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §11834; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §632.3; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.23]

     
633.24  Docketing and hearing.
  Upon the filing of such a motion, the clerk shall place the cause or proceeding on the docket without additional docket fee, and the matter shall stand for hearing or trial de novo in open court.
[C97, §251; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §11835; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §632.4; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.24]

  
     
633.25  Validity of clerk’s orders.
  Records, orders, and judgments made and entered by the clerk under section 633.22, which have not been reversed, set aside, or modified by the court, shall stand, and shall be of the same force, validity, and effect, and be entitled to the same faith and credit, as if they had been made by the court.
[C97, §252; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §11836; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §632.5; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.25]
2019 Acts, ch 59, §214

     
633.26  Clerk not to prepare reports.
  A clerk of the district court or employee of the clerk shall not act as attorney for a fiduciary, or make or assist in making, drafting, or filling out any report of any fiduciary or any other report to be filed in the clerk’s office.
[C97, §252; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §11837; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §632.6; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.26]
90 Acts, ch 1233, §38

  
     
633.27  Probate docket.
  The clerk shall keep an electronic record to be known as the “Probate Docket”, which shall show:
  1.  The name of every deceased person whose estate is administered or whose will is admitted to probate, and the date of the person’s death.
  2.  The name of each person as to whom application for conservatorship or guardianship is made.
  3.  The names of all the heirs in intestate estates and the surviving spouse of such deceased intestate, and whether each person is an adult or a minor and each person’s place of residence, so far as they can be ascertained.
  4.  The title of each trust described in section 633.10 that has not been released by the court from continuous court supervision.
  5.  A note of every sale of real estate made under the order of the court.
[C73, §2490; C97, §3411; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §11841; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §632.10; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.27]
2005 Acts, ch 38, §9; 2018 Acts, ch 1027, §2, 8

     
633.27A  Docketing guardianship and conservatorship proceedings — applicability of separate reporting requirements.
  When a petition is filed for a conservatorship or guardianship, or a combined petition as provided in section 633.627, the administration thereof shall be treated as one proceeding, with one docket number, from the date of the filing of the petition. The separate reporting requirements for conservatorships and guardianships shall continue to apply in a combined petition. The clerk shall clearly indicate on the docket whether the proceedings are voluntary or involuntary and whether a guardianship, a conservatorship, or combined.
89 Acts, ch 178, §7; 2015 Acts, ch 5, §1

633.28  Docketing trust proceedings.  Repealed by 
2005 Acts, ch 38, §50
. 

633.29  Probate record.  Repealed by 99 Acts, ch 144, §15. 

633.30  Bonds given by fiduciaries.  Repealed by 93 Acts, ch 70, §15. 

  
     
633.31  Calendar — court costs in probate.
  1.  The clerk shall keep a court calendar, and enter thereon such matters as the court may prescribe.
  2.  The clerk shall charge and collect the following court costs in connection with probate matters:
  a.  For services performed in short form probates

pursuant to sections 450.22 and 450.44$  15.00
  b.  For services performed in probate of

will without administration $  15.00
  c.  For filing and indexing a transcript$  50.00
  d.  For taking and approving a bond, or 

the sureties on a bond $  20.00
  e.  For entering a rule or order $  10.00
  f.  For certificate and seal $  10.00
  g.  For making a complete record where

real estate is sold  per 100 words $    .20
  h.  For making a transcript or copies of orders or 

records filed in the clerk’s office  per 100 words $    .50
  i.  For certifying change of title $  20.00
  j.  For issuing commission to appraisers $    2.00
  3.  a.  For other services performed in a decedent’s estate administered under this chapter or chapter 635, the clerk shall charge and collect court costs equal to two-tenths of one percent of the value of the probate assets listed in the report and inventory.
  b.  Court costs shall not be charged or collected under this subsection on assets which are not probate assets including but not limited to the following:
  (1)  Joint tenancy property.
  (2)  Property transferred during the decedent’s lifetime.
  (3)  Life insurance, annuities, individual retirement accounts, retirement plans, transfer on death accounts, payable on death accounts, and similar assets payable to beneficiaries other than the estate of the decedent.
  (4)  Real estate not located in Iowa.
  c.  Court costs shall not be charged or collected on assets transferred to an estate from a conservatorship that has been administered in the state and for which court costs have been charged and collected from the conservatorship under subsection 4. 
  4.  For other services performed in a conservatorship, the clerk shall charge and collect court costs equal to two-tenths of one percent of the gross value of the assets listed in the inventory minus the value of the life insurance.
  5.  Court costs collected under this section shall be deposited in the account established under section 602.8108.
[C97, §3269; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §11844; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §632.13; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.31]
83 Acts, ch 186, §10124, 10201; 88 Acts, ch 1258, §3; 89 Acts, ch 207, §2; 94 Acts, ch 1074, §12, 13; 96 Acts, ch 1129, §113; 99 Acts, ch 56, §3; 2004 Acts, ch 1120, §7; 2007 Acts, ch 180, §3; 2009 Acts, ch 179, §64, 72; 2021 Acts, ch 160, §1 – 3
2021 amendment applies to conservatorships, court-administered trusts, guardianships, and estates of decedents for which the petition is filed and other probate matters where filings are made and actions are taken on and after January 1, 2022; 2021 Acts, ch 160, §3

     
633.32  Delinquent inventories and reports.
  1.  On June 1 and December 1 of each year, the clerk shall notify the fiduciary and the fiduciary’s attorney of any delinquent inventories or reports due by law in any pending estate, trust, guardianship, or conservatorship, and that unless such delinquent inventory or report is filed within sixty days thereafter, the matter shall be reported to the presiding judge. If the delinquent inventory is not filed within the time so specified, the fiduciary will be subject to removal under the provisions of section 633.65 of this Code.
  2.  On August 1 and February 1 of each year, the clerk shall report to the presiding judge all delinquent inventories or reports in estates, trusts, guardianships, or conservatorships on which such notice has been given and no report or inventory has been filed in response to the notice.
  3.  The reports required by this section shall indicate thereon all cases in which the attorney, or the fiduciary or the fiduciary’s surety, is deceased, or insolvent, or cannot be found, or has removed from this state, and where it is shown by said reports, or it otherwise appears that there are no known assets belonging to the estate, the judge may, on the judge’s own motion, order said estate closed, and may, in the judge’s discretion, waive costs, or, on reasonable notice to the fiduciary, tax costs against the fiduciary. Such order shall not operate to prevent the reopening of such estate.
[C97, §3269; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §11845; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §632.14; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.32]
2000 Acts, ch 1150, §1
PART 3
PROCEDURE IN PROBATE

     
633.33  Nature of proceedings in probate.
  Actions to set aside or contest wills, for the involuntary appointment of guardians and conservators, and for the establishment of contested claims shall be triable in probate as law actions, and all other matters triable in probate shall be tried by the probate court as a proceeding in equity.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.33]

     
633.34  Applicability of rules of civil procedure.
  All actions triable in probate shall be governed by the rules of civil procedure, except as provided otherwise in this probate code.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.34]
2005 Acts, ch 38, §51

     
633.35  Reports and applications for orders.
  All petitions, reports, and applications for orders in probate must be in writing, verified, acknowledged or certified, and self-explanatory. If the petition, report, or application is certified, substantially the following language shall be used:  
  I certify under penalty of perjury and pursuant to the laws of the state of Iowa that the preceding is true and correct.
[C97, §3421; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §12072; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §638.35; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.35]
89 Acts, ch 35, §1
Referred to in §450.58

     
633.36  Orders in probate.
  All orders and decrees of the court sitting in probate are final decrees as to the parties having notice and those who have appeared without notice.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.36]

     
633.37  Orders without notice.
  All orders entered without notice or appearance are reviewable by the court at any time prior to the entry of the order approving the final report.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.37]

     
633.38  Time and place of hearing.
  Except as otherwise provided in this probate code, the hearing of any matter requiring notice shall be had at such time and place as the court may fix.
[C73, §2313; C97, §3261; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §11820; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §631.2; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.38]
2005 Acts, ch 38, §51

     
633.39  Place of hearing — noncontest or agreement.
  In cases where no objection, resistance or appearance has been filed, or by agreement, such hearing may be had at any place within the judicial district.
[C97, §3261; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §11821; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §631.3; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.39]

     
633.40  Notice in probate proceedings.
  1.  Court prescribing notice.  Except as otherwise provided in this probate code, the court shall fix the time and place of hearing of any matter requiring notice and shall prescribe a time for the hearing not less than twenty days after the date the notice is served unless the court finds there is good cause shown to shorten the time period to less than twenty days. The court shall also prescribe the manner of service of the notice of such hearing.
  2.  Notice by publication.  In the case of proceedings against unknown persons or persons whose address or whereabouts are unknown, the court shall prescribe that notice may be served by publication within the time and in the manner provided by the rules of civil procedure.
  3.  No notice by posting.  No notice shall be served at any time by posting.
  4.  Notice otherwise provided.  In lieu of the foregoing, the notice may direct each interested party to file the party’s objections thereto in writing, if any, on or before a date certain, to be set out in the notice and to be not less than twenty days after the day the notice is served upon the party and that unless the party does so file objections in writing that the party will be forever barred from making any objections thereto. Said notice shall be served upon each interested party personally in compliance with the rules of civil procedure, or upon those parties not under legal disability by ordinary United States mail. In the event objections thereto are timely filed, the court shall fix the time and place of the hearing for the judicial determination of the issues raised.
  5.  Notice by mail.  When notice in probate proceedings is served upon an interested party by United States mail, the service is made and completed when the notice being served is enclosed in a sealed envelope with the proper postage thereon addressed to the interested party at the party’s last known post office address and is deposited in a mail receptacle provided by the United States postal service.
[C73, §2314; C97, §3262; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §11822; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §631.4; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.40]
2005 Acts, ch 38, §51; 2009 Acts, ch 52, §2, 14
Referred to in §633.10, 633.23, 633.237, 633.374, 633.376, 633.389, 633.478, 633.560, 633.677, 633.754, 633A.3114, 633A.3115, 635.8

     
633.41  Consular representatives — notice.
  Whenever in the course of the administration of any estate, it shall appear that any subject, citizen, or national of a foreign country is interested as an heir, devisee, legatee, or otherwise, and the address of such person is unknown to the personal representative, the personal representative shall give notice by mail to the consular representative of such country for Iowa of the pendency of such proceedings and of the particular interest of such foreign subject. If such consular representative shall not have filed the representative’s designation and address with the clerk, then such notice shall be mailed to the chief diplomatic representative of such foreign country at Washington, D.C. Failure to give such notice shall in no event and in no manner affect title to property.
[C27, 31, 35, §11845-b1; C39, §11845.1; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §632.15; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.41]

  
     
633.42  Requests for notice.
  1.  At any time after the issuance of letters of appointment, any interested person in the proceeding may file with the clerk a written request for notice of the time and place of all hearings in such proceeding for which notice is required by law, by rule of court, or by an order in such proceeding. The request for notice shall state the name of the requester, the name of the requester’s attorney, if any, and the reason the requester is an interested person in the proceeding. The request for notice shall provide the requester’s post office address and, if available, the requester’s electronic mail address and telephone number. The request for notice shall also provide the requester’s attorney’s post office address, electronic mail address, and telephone number. The clerk shall docket the request. Thereafter, unless otherwise ordered by the court, the fiduciary shall serve by ordinary or electronic mail a notice of each hearing upon such requester and the requester’s attorney, if any.
  2.  A person does not gain standing by filing a request for notice under this section.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.42]
93 Acts, ch 111, §1; 2017 Acts, ch 143, §1; 2018 Acts, ch 1027, §3, 10; 2018 Acts, ch 1172, §32, 43
Referred to in §633.43, 654.4A

     
633.43  Notice and appearance.
  In any matter pending in the probate court, the attorney general may request notice of all hearings therein as provided by section 633.42, and may, with the approval of the court, intervene in behalf of the public interest. The court, on its own motion, in any such matter involving the public interest, may direct the fiduciary to give notice of the hearing to the attorney general.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.43]

     
633.44  Waiver of service of notice.
  Any notice required under this probate code, or by order of court, may be waived in writing by the person, or the fiduciary, entitled to receive such notice.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.44]
2005 Acts, ch 38, §51

     
633.45  Notice of order served on fiduciary and attorney.
  When the court makes an order affecting a fiduciary, it shall be served upon the fiduciary and the fiduciary’s attorney of record in such manner as the court may prescribe.
[R60, §2474, 2475, 2476; C73, §2479, 2480, 2481; C97, §3403, 3404; S13, §3403; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §12055, 12056; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §638.15, 638.16; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.45]

     
633.46  Proof of publication.
  Proof of the publication of all notices that are by this probate code or by order of court required to be published shall be made by an affidavit of the publisher or of any employee having knowledge of the facts.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.46]
2005 Acts, ch 38, §51

     
633.47  Proof of service and payment of costs.
  Proof of service of any notice, required by this probate code or by order of court, including those by publication, shall be filed with the clerk. The costs of serving any notice given by the fiduciary shall be paid directly by the estate.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.47]
2003 Acts, ch 151, §52; 2005 Acts, ch 38, §51

     
633.48  Certified copies affecting foreign real estate.
  A certified copy of any proceedings, order, judgment, or deed, affecting real estate in any county other than that in which administration or conservatorship is originally granted, shall be furnished to the clerk of the court of the county where such real estate is situated. Upon receipt of the certified copy, the clerk of court shall assign a probate case number to the certified copy and file the copy using the name of the probate proceeding in the county sending the copy. The file created by the county receiving a certified copy as provided in this section shall not be considered an active file for administrative purposes.
[C97, §3265; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §11826; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §631.8; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.48]
99 Acts, ch 144, §12

     
633.49  Transfer to another county.
  In any proceeding in probate, the court may, upon written showing, supported by affidavit, and on such notice to interested parties as the court may prescribe, transfer such proceeding to any other county, when it is made to appear that such transfer will be in furtherance of justice. Thereupon, the matter shall be pending in such other county.
[C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §11829; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §631.11; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.49]

     
633.50  Certified copy of transferring court’s records.
  The clerk of the court which orders such a transfer shall retain the original files and papers, but shall make a certified copy thereof and of all record entries pertaining to the proceedings. The clerk of court shall at once file the same in the office of the clerk of the court to which the transfer has been made.
[C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §11830; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §631.12; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.50]
Referred to in §633.51

     
633.51  Filing of certified copy by receiving court.
  The clerk of the court to which the proceedings are transferred shall file, within a new file of the clerk’s county, the certified copy of the record entries referred to in section 633.50.
[C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §11831; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §631.13; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.51]
99 Acts, ch 144, §13

     
633.52  Mistakes corrected.
  Mistakes in settlements may be corrected at any time before the final discharge of any fiduciary on such notice, if any, as the court may direct.
[C51, §1432; R60, §2457; C73, §2474; C97, §3398; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §12049; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §638.9; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.52]

     
633.53  Submission and retention of vouchers and receipts.
  In all accountings filed by fiduciaries, vouchers or receipts for all disbursements shall be filed or submitted by the fiduciary upon written request of any interested party, or upon order of court. After an order, or decree, has been entered approving such accounting, any vouchers or receipts which have been filed may be withdrawn under order of the court. Vouchers or receipts not filed, or which have been withdrawn, shall be preserved by the fiduciary until the accounting of such fiduciary becomes final.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.53]
633.54 through 633.62Reserved.

SUBCHAPTER III
GENERAL PROVISIONS RELATING TO FIDUCIARIES
PART 1
QUALIFICATION, APPOINTMENT,

SUBSTITUTION, AND REMOVAL

OF FIDUCIARIES

  
     
633.63  Qualification of fiduciary — resident.
  1.  Any natural person of full age, who is a resident of this state, is qualified to serve as a fiduciary, except any of the following:
  a.  A person who is incompetent.
  b.  Any other person whom the court determines to be unsuitable.
  2.  Banks and trust companies organized under the laws of the United States or state banks, when approved by the superintendent of banking under section 524.1001, and trust companies authorized to engage in trust business pursuant to section 524.1005, are authorized to act in a fiduciary capacity in Iowa.
  3.  A private nonprofit corporation organized under chapter 504, Code 1989, or current chapter 504 is qualified to act as a guardian, as defined in section 633.3, or a conservator, as defined in section 633.3, if the corporation does not possess a proprietary or legal interest in an organization which provides direct services to the individual.
  4.  The state public guardian or local public guardian as defined in section 231E.3 is authorized to act in a fiduciary capacity in this state in accordance with chapter 231E.
[C51, §1304, 1305; R60, §2336, 2337; C73, §2345, 2346; C97, §3288, 3289; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §11871, 11872; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §633.27, 633.28; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.63]
85 Acts, ch 31, §1; 86 Acts, ch 1131, §1; 89 Acts, ch 178, §8; 89 Acts, ch 257, §32; 96 Acts, ch 1129, §105; 98 Acts, ch 1118, §1; 2003 Acts, ch 108, §108; 2004 Acts, ch 1049, §191; 2004 Acts, ch 1175, §394; 2005 Acts, ch 175, §144, 145; 2010 Acts, ch 1137, §3; 2018 Acts, ch 1048, §14
Referred to in §173.22A, 217.41, 231E.10, 256.88, 260C.32, 262.9, 303.7, 303.9, 501A.601, 633.64, 633.65, 635.1

     
633.64  Qualification of fiduciary — nonresident.
  The court may, upon application, appoint the following nonresidents as fiduciaries:
  1.  Natural persons.  A natural person who is a nonresident of this state and who is otherwise qualified under the provisions of section 633.63, provided a resident fiduciary is appointed to serve with such nonresident fiduciary; and provided further that the court, for good cause shown, may appoint such nonresident fiduciary to serve alone without the appointment of a resident fiduciary.
  2.  Banks and trust companies.  Banks and trust companies organized under the laws of the United States or of another state and authorized to act in a fiduciary capacity in another state, if banks and trust companies of this state are permitted to act as fiduciary under similar conditions in the state where such bank or trust company is located.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.64]
Referred to in §524.1005A, 524.1007, 633.65, 635.1

     
633.65  Removal of fiduciary.
  When any fiduciary is, or becomes, disqualified under sections 633.63 and 633.64, has mismanaged the estate, failed to perform any duty imposed by law, or by any lawful order of court, or ceases to be a resident of the state, then the court may remove the fiduciary. The court may upon its own motion, and shall upon the filing of a verified petition by any person interested in the estate, including a surety on the fiduciary’s bond, order the fiduciary to appear and show cause why the fiduciary should not be removed. Any such petition shall specify the grounds of complaint. The removal of a fiduciary after letters are duly issued to the fiduciary shall not invalidate the fiduciary’s official acts performed prior to removal.
[C51, §1306, 1509, 1510; R60, §2338, 2561, 2562; C73, §2247, 2251, 2496 – 2500; C97, §3198, 3201, 3416 – 3418; S13, §3228-g; C24, 27, §12066 – 12068, 12600, 12604, 12643; C31, 35, §12066 – 12068, 12600, 12604, 12643, 12644-c12; C39, §12066 – 12068, 12600, 12604, 12643, 12644.12; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §638.29 – 638.31, 668.27, 668.31, 671.12, 672.12; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.65]
Referred to in §231E.7, 524.1007, 633.32

     
633.66  Appointment of successor fiduciary.
  When any fiduciary fails to qualify, dies, is removed by the court, or resigns, and such resignation is accepted by the court, the court may, and if the fiduciary were the sole or last surviving fiduciary, and the administration has not been completed, the court shall appoint another fiduciary in the former’s place.
[C51, §1303, 1307; R60, §2335, 2339; C73, §2347, 2348; C97, §3290, 3291; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §11873, 11874; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §633.29, 633.30; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.66]

     
633.67  Powers of surviving cofiduciary.
  When the instrument creating the estate or trust requires two or more fiduciaries, and a vacancy occurs on account of the death, resignation, or removal of one of the fiduciaries, during the period of the vacancy thus created, the remaining fiduciary or fiduciaries shall have all the rights, titles and powers, whether discretionary or otherwise, of all the fiduciaries.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.67]

     
633.68  Powers of successor fiduciary.
  When a successor fiduciary is appointed, the successor shall have all the rights, powers, titles and duties of the predecessor, except that the successor shall not exercise powers given in the instrument creating the powers that by its express terms are personal to the fiduciary therein designated.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.68]

     
633.69  Substitution — effect.
  The substitution of a fiduciary shall occasion no delay in the administration of an estate. The periods herein specified within which acts are to be performed after the appointment of a fiduciary shall, unless otherwise ordered by the court, be computed from the issuing of the letters to the first fiduciary.
[C51, §1308; R60, §2340; C73, §2349; C97, §3292; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §11875; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §633.31; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.69]

  
     
633.70  Property delivered — penalty.
  Upon the removal of any fiduciary, the fiduciary shall be required by order of the court to deliver to the person who may be entitled thereto all the property in the fiduciary’s hands or under the fiduciary’s control belonging to the estate, and if the fiduciary fails or refuses to comply with any proper order of the court, the fiduciary may be committed to the jail of the county until the fiduciary does.
[C51, §1509; R60, §2561, 2563; C73, §2251, 2252, 2501, 2502; C97, §3201, 3419; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §12069, 12601, 12602; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §638.32, 668.28, 668.29; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.70]
Removal of fiduciary under §633.65 constitutes effective turnover order; see 
R.Prob.P. 7.1

  
     
633.71  Legal effect of appointment.
  1.  By qualifying as fiduciary, any resident or nonresident person submits to the jurisdiction of the court making the appointment of the fiduciary and, in addition, shall be deemed to agree to all of the following:
  a.  All property coming into the fiduciary’s hands is subject to the jurisdiction of the court wherein are pending the proceedings in which the fiduciary is serving.
  b.  The fiduciary is subject to all orders entered by the court in the proceedings in which the fiduciary is serving and notices served upon the fiduciary with respect to the proceedings, that are in compliance with the procedure prescribed by this probate code, have the same force and effect as if such service had been personally made upon the fiduciary within the state.
  c.  The fiduciary is subject to the jurisdiction of the courts of this state in all actions and proceedings against the fiduciary arising from or growing out of the fiduciary relationship and activities; service of process in such actions and proceedings may be made upon the fiduciary by serving the original notice upon the fiduciary outside this state; and such service has the same force and effect as though the service had been personally made upon the fiduciary within this state.
  2.  The clerk of the court in which is pending the proceedings in which the fiduciary is serving is the lawful attorney or resident agent of such nonresident fiduciary upon whom service of process may be made whether such process be an order of the court entered in the proceedings in which the fiduciary is serving or an original notice of an action arising from or growing out of the fiduciary relationship and activities of the nonresident fiduciary.
[C71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.71]
2005 Acts, ch 38, §51; 2020 Acts, ch 1063, §335

  
     
633.72  Manner of service.  Repealed by 2018 Acts, ch 1027, §7, 9.

633.73 through 633.75Reserved.
PART 2
POWERS APPLICABLE TO ALL FIDUCIARIES

     
633.76  Two or more fiduciaries — exercise of powers.
  Where there are two or more fiduciaries, they shall all concur in the exercise of the powers conferred upon them, unless the instrument creating the estate provides to the contrary. In the event that the fiduciaries cannot concur upon the exercise of any power, any one of the fiduciaries may apply to the court for directions, and the court shall make such orders as it may deem to be to the best interests of the estate.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.76]

     
633.76A  Exception — voting of publicly traded securities.
  Where there are two or more fiduciaries, a fiduciary may delegate to another fiduciary the power to vote publicly traded securities, unless the instrument creating the estate provides to the contrary. The delegating fiduciary shall not be personally liable for the manner in which such securities are voted by the fiduciary to whom the power is delegated.
91 Acts, ch 36, §2

     
633.77  Receipts by one fiduciary.
  One of the several fiduciaries may receive and receipt for any money, which receipt shall be given by the fiduciary in the fiduciary’s own name only, and the fiduciary must individually account for all the money thus received and receipted for by the fiduciary, and this shall not charge any cofiduciary, except insofar as it can be shown to have come into the cofiduciary’s hands.
[C51, §1442; R60, §2467; C73, §2478; C97, §3402; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §12054; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §638.14; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.77]

  
     
633.78  Fiduciary written request and third-party protection.
  1.  A fiduciary under this chapter may present a written request to any person for the purpose of obtaining property owned by a decedent or by a ward of a conservatorship for which the fiduciary has been appointed, or property to which a decedent or ward is entitled, or for information about such property needed to perform the fiduciary’s duties. The request must contain statements confirming all of the following:
  a.  The fiduciary’s authority has not been revoked, modified, or amended in any manner which would cause the representations in the request to be incorrect.
  b.  The request has been signed by all fiduciaries acting on behalf of the decedent or ward.
  c.  The request has been sworn and subscribed to under penalty of perjury before a notary public as provided in chapter 9B.
  d.  A photocopy of the fiduciary’s letters of appointment is being provided with the request.
  2.  A person to whom a request is presented under this section may require that the fiduciary presenting the request provide proof of the fiduciary’s identity.
  3.  A person who in good faith provides the property or information a fiduciary requests under this section, after taking reasonable steps to verify the identity of the fiduciary and who has no knowledge that the representations contained in the request are incorrect, shall not be liable to any person for so acting and may assume without inquiry the existence of the facts contained in the request. The period of time to verify the fiduciary’s authority shall not exceed ten business days from the date the person received the request. Any right or title acquired from the fiduciary in consideration of the provision of property or information under this section is not invalid in consequence of a misapplication by the fiduciary. A transaction, and a lien created by a transaction, entered into by the fiduciary and a person acting in reliance upon a request under this section is enforceable against the assets for which the fiduciary has responsibility.
  4.  If a person refuses to provide the requested property or information within ten business days after receiving a request under this section, the fiduciary may bring an action to recover the property or information or compel its delivery against the person to whom the fiduciary presented the written request. An action brought under this section must be brought within one year after the date of the act or failure to act. If the court finds that the person acted unreasonably in failing to deliver the property or information as requested in the written request, the court may award any or all of the following to the fiduciary:
  a.  Damages sustained by the decedent’s or ward’s estate.
  b.  Costs of the action.
  c.  A penalty in an amount determined by the court, but not less than five hundred dollars or more than ten thousand dollars.
  d.  Reasonable attorney fees, as determined by the court, based on the value of the time reasonably expended by the attorney and not by the amount of the recovery on behalf of the fiduciary.
  5.  This section does not limit or change the right of beneficiaries, heirs, or creditors to estate property to which they are otherwise entitled.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.78]
2015 Acts, ch 125, §3, 7

     
633.79  Fiduciaries considered as one.
  In an action against several fiduciaries, in their fiduciary capacity, they shall be considered one person, and judgment may be taken against all as such, although not all were served with notice.
[C51, §1437; R60, §2462; C73, §2489; C97, §3410; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §12062; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §638.22; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.79]

     
633.80  Fiduciary of a fiduciary.
  A fiduciary has no authority to act in a matter wherein the fiduciary’s decedent or ward was merely a fiduciary, except that the fiduciary shall file a report and accounting on behalf of the decedent or ward in said matter.
[C51, §1438; R60, §2463; C73, §2483; C97, §3406; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §12058; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §638.18; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.80]

     
633.81  Suit by and against fiduciary.
  Any fiduciary may sue, be sued and defend in such capacity.
[R60, §1452; C73, §2275; C97, §3224; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §12582; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §668.10; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.81]

  
     
633.82  Designation of attorney.
  The designation of the attorney employed by the fiduciary to assist in the administration of the estate shall be filed in the estate proceedings. The designation shall state the attorney’s name, post office address, electronic mail address, and telephone number. The designation shall clearly state the name of the attorney who is in charge of the case and the attorney’s name shall not be listed by firm name only.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.82; 82 Acts, ch 1060, §1]
2018 Acts, ch 1027, §4, 10

  
     
633.83  Continuation of business.
  Upon a showing of advantage to the estate, the court may authorize the fiduciary to continue any business of the estate for the estate’s benefit. The order may be without notice, or after such notice as the court may prescribe. The court may on its own motion, and upon the application of any interested party shall, review the authorization, and upon such review, may revoke or modify the authorization. The order may provide for any of the following:
  1.  The conduct of the business solely by the fiduciary, or jointly with one or more other persons; the formation of a partnership for the conduct of such business; or the formation of, or for the fiduciary to join in the formation of, a corporation for the conduct of such business.
  2.  The extent of the liability of the estate, or any part of the estate, or of the fiduciary, for obligations incurred in the continuation of the business.
  3.  Whether liabilities incurred in the conduct of the business are to be chargeable solely to the part of the estate set aside for use in the business, or to the estate as a whole.
  4.  The period of time for which the business may be conducted.
  5.  Such other conditions, restrictions, regulations, and requirements as the court may order.
[C51, §1327; R60, §2359; C73, §2407; C97, §3337; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §11956; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §635.52; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.83]
2020 Acts, ch 1063, §336

     
633.84  Delegation of authority.
  Under order of court, with or without notice, a fiduciary may engage, at estate expense, outside specialists, and may delegate to them, or consult with them for advice regarding the performance of aspects of the estate management which require professional skills or facilities which the fiduciary does not possess, or does not possess in sufficient degree, and the fiduciary may employ, at estate expense, subordinates and agents to perform ministerial acts and carry on or complete details of estate business under the policies and terms established by the fiduciary.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.84]
Referred to in §633.86

  
     
633.85  Liability of fiduciary employing agents.
  The fiduciary shall not be personally liable for the acts or omissions of any specialist, subordinate, or agent, unless it can be shown that the acts or omissions of the specialist, subordinate, or agent would have been a breach of duty by the fiduciary had the fiduciary personally done it, and that one of the following applies:
  1.  The fiduciary directed or permitted the breach.
  2.  The fiduciary did not select or retain the specialist, subordinate, or agent with reasonable care.
  3.  The fiduciary did not properly supervise the specialist, subordinate, or agent.
  4.  The fiduciary approved, acquiesced, or cooperated in the neglect, omission, misconduct, or default by the specialist, subordinate, or agent.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.85]
2020 Acts, ch 1063, §337

     
633.86  Reduction of fees when agents are employed.
  The court shall, in fixing the fees of any fiduciary, consider the compensation allowed to any person employed by the fiduciary under the provisions of section 633.84. If the court determines that the services rendered by such person were services that would normally have been performed by the fiduciary, the compensation of the fiduciary may, in the court’s discretion, be reduced by all or any part of the compensation allowed to any such person.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.86]

     
633.87  Deposit of money in banks.
  A fiduciary may deposit moneys and other assets belonging to the estate in any banking institution authorized to do business in the state of Iowa.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.87]

     
633.88  Law governing administration of estates of nonresidents.
  Except as otherwise provided in this probate code, all provisions of the law relating to the administration of domestic estates and to the fiduciaries appointed therein, shall apply to the administration of the estate of a nonresident, the appointment of the fiduciary therein, and the granting of letters.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.88]
2005 Acts, ch 38, §51

  
     
633.89  Power of fiduciary or custodian to deposit securities.
  1.  A fiduciary as defined in section 633.3, holding securities, and a bank as defined in section 524.103, which is holding securities as a managing agent or as a custodian, including a custodian for a fiduciary, may deposit securities in a clearing corporation, as defined in section 554.8102, which is located within or without the state of Iowa, if the clearing corporation is federally regulated. A depositing bank is subject to rules adopted by the superintendent of banking, with respect to state banks, and by the comptroller of the currency, with respect to national banking associations.
  2.  Certificates representing deposited securities of the same class of the same issuer may merge securities deposited by a fiduciary, or by a bank acting as a managing agent or custodian, with securities deposited by any other person and may be held in the name of the clearing corporation or its nominee. The records of a depositing fiduciary and a depositing bank acting as a managing agent or custodian at all times must identify the persons on whose behalf securities have been deposited. Title to deposited securities may be transferred by entry on the books of a clearing corporation without physical delivery of the securities.
  3.  On demand by the owner, a bank depositing securities in a clearing corporation as a managing agent or as a custodian shall identify in writing the securities so deposited. On demand by any party to the accounting of a fiduciary, the fiduciary shall identify in writing the securities deposited in a clearing corporation for its account as fiduciary.
  4.  This section applies regardless of the date of the agreement, instrument, or court order under which the fiduciary or bank was appointed.
[C75, 77, 79, 81, §633.89]
96 Acts, ch 1138, §79, 84; 2016 Acts, ch 1011, §121
Referred to in §524.1006

     
633.90  Power of a fiduciary to access digital assets.
  Except as modified by a court order or limited in the instrument creating the fiduciary relationship, a fiduciary may exercise all rights and powers granted to such fiduciary under chapter 638.
2017 Acts, ch 79, §1
633.91 and 633.92Reserved.
PART 3
SPECIAL PROVISIONS RELATING

TO PROPERTY

     
633.93  Limitation on actions affecting deeds.
  No action for recovery of any real estate sold by any fiduciary can be maintained by any person claiming under the deceased, the ward, or a beneficiary, unless brought within five years after the date of the recording of the conveyance.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.93]

     
633.94  Platting.
  When it is for the best interests of the estate in order to dispose of real property, the court may, upon application by the fiduciary, or any other interested person, after notice and upon good cause shown, authorize the fiduciary, either alone or together with other owners, to plat any land belonging to the estate in accordance with the statutes in regard to platting. The court may authorize the fiduciary to execute any instruments which may be required of the titleholder or proprietor in connection with the platting of such land.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.94]
See also chapter 354 

     
633.95  Release of liens and mortgages.
  Any fiduciary qualified under the laws of this state may, without prior order of court, release or discharge, in whole or in part any mortgage, judgment or other lien held by the estate.
[C51, §1337; R60, §2369; C73, §2383; C97, §3319; S13, §3307-a; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §11897, 11929; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §633.53, 635.18; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.95]
Referred to in §633.98
See §636.26 

     
633.96  Specific performance voluntary.
  When an estate is under such an obligation to convey property as might be enforced by suit for specific performance, the fiduciary may without prior order of court execute such conveyance.
[C51, §1435, 1436; R60, §2460, 2461; C73, §2487, 2488; C97, §3409; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §12061; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §638.21; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.96]
Referred to in §633.98

     
633.97  Specific performance involuntary.
  When an estate is under obligation to convey property, the court may, upon application of any interested person, with or without notice as the court may direct, require the fiduciary to execute such a conveyance.
[C51, §1435, 1436; R60, §2460, 2461; C73, §2487, 2488; C97, §3409; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §12061; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §638.21; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.97]
Referred to in §633.98

  
     
633.98  Certificate of appointment and authority.
  When any instrument executed in accordance with sections 633.95 through 633.97 is to be recorded in a county other than the county in which the estate is pending, there shall also be recorded a certificate executed by the clerk of the court making the appointment, with seal affixed, showing the name of the court making the appointment, the date of the same, and that such fiduciary had not been discharged at the time of the execution of such instrument.
[C97, §3308; SS15, §3308; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §11898; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §633.54; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.98]
2020 Acts, ch 1063, §338

     
633.99  Federal stock — authority to purchase.
  When the court shall enter an order authorizing the fiduciary to execute a mortgage to encumber any property of the estate to secure a loan obtained from any association or corporation created, or which may be created, by authority of the United States and as an instrumentality of the United States, the court may authorize the fiduciary to purchase stock in an association or corporation, when such a purchase of stock is necessary or required as an incident to, or condition of, obtaining the loan, and to mortgage the estate property for such purpose, as well as to make payment for the stock so purchased from the proceeds of the loan so obtained.
[C35, §11951-g1; C39, §11951.1; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §635.41; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.99]

     
633.100  Waiver of exemption.
  Any deed or mortgage executed by a fiduciary under order of court shall have the effect of waiving any exemption as to homestead or otherwise of any person owning an interest in said real estate as fully as such owner could do if the owner were sui juris.
[C35, §11951-g3, 12644-g1, -g2, -g3, -g4, -g5; C39, §11951.3, 12644.21 – 12644.25; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §635.43, 673.1 – 673.5; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.100]

     
633.101  Appraisal.
  At any time that the court may determine it to be to the best interests of the estate, it may order an appraisal of any or all of the property of an estate.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.101]

     
633.102  Costs and expenses.
  In connection with the sale, mortgage, lease, pledge or exchange of property, the court may authorize the fiduciary to pay, out of the proceeds realized therefrom or out of other funds of the estate, the customary and reasonable auctioneers’ and brokers’ fees and any necessary expenses for abstracting, survey, revenue stamps, and other necessary costs and expenses in connection therewith.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.102]

633.103  Certain corporate distributions.  Repealed by 99 Acts, ch 124, §32. 
633.104 through 633.107Reserved.
PART 4
PROVISIONS RELATING TO ADMINISTRATION

BY ALL FIDUCIARIES
SUBPART A
GENERAL PROVISIONS

     
633.108  Small distributions.
  1.  Whenever a person becomes entitled under the terms of a will to a bequest or legacy, or to a share of the estate of an intestate, and the value of the bequest, legacy, or share does not exceed the sum of fifty thousand dollars, the personal representative may pay the bequest, legacy, or interest to a fiduciary acting under one or more of the accounts referenced in subsection 2.
  2.  Receipt by the custodian, when presented to the court or filed with the report of distribution of the fiduciary, shall have the same force and effect as though the payment had been made to a duly appointed and qualified conservator for the person entitled to them:
  a.  A uniform transfer to minor account established for the minor pursuant to chapter 565B or the laws of any other state.
  b.  A uniform custodial trust account established for the minor pursuant to chapter 633F or the laws of any other state.
  c.  A college savings plan account established for the minor pursuant to Internal Revenue Code section 529 or chapter 12D.
  d.  An ABLE account established for the minor with disabilities pursuant to Internal Revenue Code section 529A or chapter 12I.
[C39, §12077.1; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §638.41; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.108; 81 Acts, ch 193, §1; 82 Acts, ch 1052, §1]
95 Acts, ch 63, §3; 2000 Acts, ch 1150, §2; 2005 Acts, ch 38, §10; 2021 Acts, ch 8, §24
See also chapter 565B, §633.555, 633.681

     
633.109  Inability to distribute estate funds.
  Any fiduciary having in the fiduciary’s possession or under the fiduciary’s control any funds, moneys or securities due or to become due to any other person to whom payment or delivery cannot be made as shown by the report of the fiduciary on file, may, upon order of court, deposit such property with the clerk and take the receipt of the clerk for the same. Such receipt shall specifically state from whom said property was derived, the description thereof, and the name of the person entitled to the same. Thereafter, such funds shall be held and disposed of by the clerk in accordance with the provisions of chapter 636.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.109]
See §636.31, 636.34 

     
633.110  Receipts taken.
  If such fiduciary shall otherwise discharge all the duties imposed by such appointment, the fiduciary may take the receipts of the clerk for such funds, moneys, or securities so deposited, which receipts shall specifically set forth from whom said funds, moneys, or securities were derived, the amount thereof, and the name of the person to whom due or to become due, if known.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.110]
See §636.32 

     
633.111  Final discharge period.
  Such fiduciary may file such receipts with the final report, and if it shall be made to appear to the satisfaction of the court that the fiduciary has in all other respects complied with the law governing the appointment and duties, the court may approve such final report and enter the fiduciary’s discharge.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.111]
See §636.33 

     
633.112  Discovery of property.
  The court may require any person suspected of having possession of any property, including records and documents, of the decedent, ward, or the estate, or of having had such property under the person’s control, to appear and submit to an examination under oath touching such matters, and if on such examination it appears that the person has the wrongful possession of any such property, the court may order the delivery thereof to the fiduciary. Such a person shall be liable to the estate for all damages caused by the person’s acts.
[C51, §1334, 1439; R60, §2366, 2464; C73, §2379, 2484; C97, §3315, 3407; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §11925, 12059; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §635.14, 638.19; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.112]
Referred to in §633.113
Similar provisions, §630.19, 680.10 

     
633.113  Commitment.
  If, upon being served with an order of the court requiring appearance for interrogation, as provided in section 633.112, any person fails to appear in accordance therewith, or if, having appeared, the person refuses to answer any question which the court thinks proper to be put to the person in the course of such examination, or if the person fails to comply with the order of the court requiring the delivery of the property to the fiduciary, the person may be committed to the jail of the county until the person does.
[C51, §1335; R60, §2367; C73, §2380; C97, §3316; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §11926; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §635.15; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.113]
2008 Acts, ch 1031, §68; 2008 Acts, ch 1032, §84

     
633.114  Compromise of claims held by an estate.
  When it appears for the best interest of the estate, the fiduciary may, subject to approval of the court, effect a compromise with any debtor or other obligor, or extend, renew, or in any other manner, modify the terms of any obligation owing to the estate. If the fiduciary holds a mortgage, pledge, or other lien upon property of another person, the fiduciary may, in lieu of foreclosure, accept a conveyance or transfer of such encumbered assets from the owner thereof in satisfaction of the indebtedness secured by such lien, if it appears for the best interests of the estate, and if the court shall so order.
[C51, §1336; R60, §2368; C73, §2382; C97, §3318; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §11928; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §635.17; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.114]

     
633.115  Compromise of claims against an estate.
  When a claim against an estate has been filed, or suit thereon is pending, the creditor and the fiduciary may, if it appears for the best interests of the estate, subject to approval of the court, compromise the claim, whether it is due or not due, absolute or contingent, liquidated or unliquidated.
[C51, §1336; R60, §2368; C73, §2382; C97, §3318; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §11928; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §635.17; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.115]

     
633.116  Abandonment of property.
  When any property is valueless, or is so encumbered, or in such condition, that it is of no benefit to the estate, the court may order the fiduciary to abandon it, or make such other disposition of it as may be suitable in the premises.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.116]

     
633.117  Encumbered assets.
  When any assets of the estate are encumbered by mortgage, pledge, or other lien, the fiduciary may pay such encumbrance or any part thereof, renew or extend any obligation secured by the encumbrance, or may convey or transfer such assets to the creditor in satisfaction of the lien, in whole or in part, whether or not the holder of the encumbrance has filed a claim, or the fiduciary may purchase lands claimed or contracted for by the decedent, if it appears to be for the best interests of the estate and if the court shall so order. The making of such payment shall not increase the share of the distributee entitled to such encumbered assets.
[C51, §1380; R60, §2412; C73, §2428; C97, §3354; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §11977; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §635.72; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.117]
See also §633.423 

     
633.118  Attorney appointed for persons not represented.
  At or before the hearing in any proceedings under this probate code, where all the parties interested in the estate are required to be notified thereof, the court, in its discretion, may appoint some competent attorney to represent any interested person who has been served with notice and who is otherwise unrepresented. The appointment of an attorney under the provisions of this section, shall be in lieu of appointment of a guardian ad litem provided for in the rules of civil procedure.
[C97, §3423; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §12074; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §638.37; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.118]
2005 Acts, ch 38, §51
Referred to in §633.120, 633.121

     
633.119  Order and authority thereunder.
  The order making the appointment of such attorney must specify the names of the parties, so far as known, for whom the attorney is appointed, and the attorney will be authorized to represent such parties in all such proceedings subsequent to the appointment.
[C97, §3423; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §12075; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §638.38; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.119]

     
633.120  Compensation.
  Any attorney so appointed under the authority of section 633.118 shall be paid for services out of the estate, as a part of the costs of administration, a fee to be fixed by the court, and upon distribution of the estate, the fee may be charged to the party represented by the attorney.
[C97, §3423; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §12076; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §638.39; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.120]

     
633.121  Substitution — division of fee.
  The court may substitute another attorney for the one first appointed under the authority of section 633.118, in which case the fees must be divided in proportion to the services rendered.
[C97, §3423; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §12077; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §638.40; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.121]

     
633.122  Settlement contested.
  The acts of the fiduciary without prior approval of court after notice, may be contested by any interested person at or before the entry of the order discharging the fiduciary.
[C51, §1431; R60, §2456; C73, §2475; C97, §3399; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §12050; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §638.10; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.122]
SUBPART B
INVESTMENTS BY FIDUCIARIES

     
633.123  Prudent investments — fiduciaries.
  1.  When investing, reinvesting, purchasing, acquiring, exchanging, selling, or managing property for the benefit of another, a fiduciary shall consider all of the following circumstances along with the circumstances identified in section 633A.4302, if applicable:
  a.  The length of time the fiduciary will have control over the estate assets and the anticipated costs of complying with the provisions of this section.
  b.  The unique nature of all of the following:
  (1)  The duties of a personal representative or conservator.
  (2)  The assets, income, expenses, and distribution requirements of the estate.
  (3)  The needs and rights of the beneficiaries or the ward.
  c.  The express provisions of a will, codicil, or other controlling instrument.
  2.  The standards identified in this section shall be applied differently than similar standards for investment and management of trust property. Special consideration shall be given to the expected term of estates. Because some estates will have limited duration, there may be situations where an investment or a change in an investment is not warranted.
2007 Acts, ch 134, §7, 28
Referred to in §633.642, 633F.7

     
633.123A  Investments in investment companies and investment trusts.
  1.  a.  Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a bank or trust company acting as a fiduciary, in addition to other investments authorized by law for the investment of funds by a fiduciary or by the instrument governing the fiduciary and in the exercise of its investment discretion or at the direction of another person authorized to direct investment of funds held by the fiduciary, may invest and reinvest such funds in the securities of an open-end or closed-end management investment company or investment trust registered under the federal Investment Company Act of 1940, 15 U.S.C. §80a-1 et seq. Investment and reinvestment under this section is allowed as long as the portfolio of such investment company or investment trust consists substantially of investments not otherwise prohibited by chapter 633A, subchapter IV, part 3, or by the governing instrument.
  b.  Investment and reinvestment under this section is not precluded merely because the bank or trust company or an affiliate of the bank or trust company provides the services of an investment advisor, custodian, transfer agent, registrar, sponsor, distributor, or manager to the investment company or investment trust and receives a reasonable fee for the services.
  2.  This section is applicable to all fiduciaries whether the will, agreement, or other instrument under which they are acting now exists on or before July 1, 1996.
96 Acts, ch 1008, §3; 99 Acts, ch 125, §105, 109; 2005 Acts, ch 38, §55; 2013 Acts, ch 30, §261
SUBPART C
APPOINTMENT OF A NOMINEE BY

BANKING INSTITUTIONS ACTING

IN A FIDUCIARY CAPACITY

     
633.124  Investment may be held in name of nominee of bank or trust company.
  Any state or national bank or trust company, when acting with the consent of its cofiduciary, if any, may cause any investment held in any such capacity to be registered and held in the name of a nominee or nominees of such bank or trust company. Such cofiduciary is hereby empowered to give such consent unless it is specifically forbidden in the instrument creating the fiduciary relationship. Such bank or trust company shall be liable for the acts of any such nominee with respect to any investment so registered.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.124]

     
633.125  Records of bank or trust company to show ownership.
  The records of said bank or trust company shall at all times show the ownership of any such investment, which investment shall be in the possession and control of such bank or trust company and be kept separate and apart from the assets of such bank or trust company.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.125]
SUBPART D
COMMON TRUST FUNDS

     
633.126  Definitions.
  1.  “Common trust fund” means a fund maintained by a bank or trust company exclusively for the collective investment and reinvestment of moneys contributed thereto by that bank or trust company, or by another bank or trust company at least eighty percent of the voting stock of which is owned or controlled by a bank holding company which owns or controls at least eighty percent of the voting stock of the bank or trust company maintaining the common trust fund, in its capacity as a fiduciary or cofiduciary.
  2.  “Fiduciary”, for the purposes of this section and sections 633.127 through 633.129, means acting in any of the following capacities, namely:  testamentary trustee appointed by any court, trustee under any written agreement, declaration or instrument of trust, executor, administrator, guardian, or conservator, custodian under chapter 565B, or other capacity permitted under any state or federal law or regulation governing collective investment funds maintained by a bank or trust company.
[C62, §533A.1 – 533A.5; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.126]
92 Acts, ch 1012, §2; 2021 Acts, ch 80, §360
Referred to in §633.129

     
633.127  Establishment of common trust funds.
  Any bank or trust company qualified to act as fiduciary in this state may establish common trust funds, or may utilize one or more common trust funds previously established by it, for the purpose of furnishing investments to itself as fiduciary, or to itself and others, as cofiduciaries, or to another bank or trust company as fiduciary or cofiduciary; and may, as a fiduciary or cofiduciary, invest funds which it lawfully holds for investment in interests in common trust funds maintained by it or by another bank or trust company at least eighty percent of the voting stock of which is owned or controlled by a bank holding company which owns or controls at least eighty percent of the common stock of the bank or trust company investing such funds, if such investment is not prohibited by the instrument, judgment, decree, or order creating such fiduciary relationship, and if, in the case of cofiduciaries, the bank or trust company procures the consent of its cofiduciaries to such investment. If the instrument creating the fiduciary relationship gives to the bank or trust company the exclusive right to select investments, the consent of the cofiduciary shall not be required.
[C58, §532.21; C62, §532.21, 533A.1 – 533A.5; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.127]
Referred to in §633.126, 633.129

     
633.128  Court accountings.
  1.  Unless ordered by a court of competent jurisdiction, the bank or trust company operating such common trust funds is not required to render a court accounting with regard to such funds; but it may, by application to the court, secure approval of such an accounting on such conditions as the court may establish.
  2.  When an accounting of a common trust fund is presented to a court for approval, the court shall assign a time and place for hearing, and order notice thereof by all of the following:
  a.   Publication once each week for three consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation, published in the county in which the bank or trust company operating the common trust fund is located, the first publication to be not less than twenty days prior to the date of hearing.
  b.  Sending by ordinary mail not less than fourteen days prior to the date of hearing, a copy of the notice prescribed to all beneficiaries of the trust participating in the common trust fund whose names are known to the bank or trust company from the records kept by it in the regular course of business in the administration of said trusts, directed to them at the addresses shown by such records.
  c.  Such further notice, if any, as the court may order.
[C58, §532.21; C62, §532.21, 533A.1 – 533A.5; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.128]
2013 Acts, ch 90, §176
Referred to in §633.126, 633.129

  
     
633.129  Uniformity of interpretation.
  Sections 633.126 through 633.128 shall be so interpreted and construed as to effectuate their general purpose to make uniform the law of those states which enact the common trust funds.
[C62, §533A.4; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.129]
2020 Acts, ch 1063, §339
Referred to in §633.126
SUBPART E
SIMPLIFICATION OF FIDUCIARY

SECURITY TRANSFERS
633.130 through 633.138Repealed by 96 Acts, ch 1138, §82, 84. 
633.139 through 633.143Reserved.
PART 5
POWERS OF FOREIGN FIDUCIARIES

     
633.144  Mortgages and judgments.
  Judgments rendered by any court in the state of Iowa and mortgages belonging to an estate, trust, or to a person under conservatorship may, without prior order of court, be released, discharged or assigned, in whole or in part as to any particular property, and deeds may be executed in performance of real estate contracts entered into before the creation of the estate, trust, or conservatorship, by any foreign fiduciary, receiver, referee, assignee or commissioner, or by any other person acting in a fiduciary capacity appointed by a court of record of any foreign state or country, where a statement is filed by said fiduciary that no fiduciary, receiver, referee, assignee, or commissioner has been appointed and qualified in this state. Such release, satisfaction, discharge, assignment or deed may be made without any order of court in any manner or by any instrument which would be valid and effective if made by a like officer qualified under the law of this state.
[S13, §3307-a; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §11897; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §633.53; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.144]
Referred to in §633.145

     
633.145  Certificate of appointment and authority.
  Before any instrument executed by such foreign fiduciary or officer as authorized by section 633.144 shall be effective, a certificate executed by the court or clerk making the appointment, with seal attached, if such officer has a seal, shall be recorded. Such certificates shall state the name of the court making such appointment, the date of the appointment, and that such fiduciary or officer has not been discharged at the time of the execution of said instrument.
[C97, §3308; SS15, §3308; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §11898; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §633.54; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.145]
Referred to in §633.146

  
     
633.146  Filing of certificate.
  The certificate under section 633.145 shall be filed for record:
  1.  In the case of judgments, in the office of the clerk in which the judgment is of record or in which it has been filed, and
  2.  In the case of mortgages and deeds executed in performance of real estate contracts, in the office of the appropriate county recorder.
[C97, §3308; SS15, §3308; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §11899; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §633.55; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.146]
2020 Acts, ch 1063, §340

     
633.147  Record.
  Such certificate shall be recorded by the proper officer in the judgment records of the court in which the same appears of record, or in the appropriate chattel or real estate records, as the case may be.
[C97, §3308; SS15, §3308; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §11900; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §633.56; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.147]

     
633.148  Maintaining actions.
  When there is no administration of an estate nor a petition therefor pending, in this state, a foreign fiduciary may maintain actions and proceedings in this state subject to the requirements and conditions imposed upon nonresident suitors generally.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.148]

     
633.149  Filing of bond.
  At the time of commencing any action or proceeding in any court of this state, the foreign fiduciary shall file with the court an authenticated copy of the fiduciary’s appointment, and of the fiduciary’s official bond, if the fiduciary has given a bond. If the court believes that the security furnished by the fiduciary in the domiciliary administration is insufficient to cover the proceeds of the action or the proceeding, or for any other reason or cause, it may at any time order the action or proceeding stayed until sufficient security is furnished in the action or proceeding.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.149]
633.150 through 633.154Reserved.
PART 6
LIABILITY OF FIDUCIARIES

     
633.155  Self-dealing by fiduciary prohibited.
  No fiduciary shall in any manner engage in self-dealing, except on order of court after notice to all interested persons, and shall derive no profit other than the fiduciary’s distributive share in the estate from the sale or liquidation of any property belonging to the estate. Every application of a fiduciary seeking an order under the provisions of this section shall specify in detail the reasons for such application and the facts justifying the requested order. The notice shall have a copy of the application attached, or, if published, it shall contain a detailed statement of the reasons and facts justifying the requested order.
[C51, §1427; R60, §2452; C73, §2473; C97, §3397; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §12048; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §638.8; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.155]
Referred to in §633.156

     
633.156  Deposits by corporate fiduciaries.
  Section 633.155 shall not be construed to prohibit a corporate fiduciary from making a deposit of estate funds in its own banking department or in the banking department of an affiliated bank. For purposes of this section, “affiliated bank” means any bank that controls, directly or indirectly, the fiduciary or is controlled, directly or indirectly, by an entity which also controls, directly or indirectly, the fiduciary.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.156]
95 Acts, ch 164, §1

     
633.157  Liability for property of estate.
  Every fiduciary shall be liable for, and chargeable in the fiduciary’s accounts with, all of the estate that comes into the fiduciary’s possession at any time, including all the income therefrom; but the fiduciary shall not be accountable for any debts due to the estate or other assets of the estate that remain uncollected without the fiduciary’s fault. The fiduciary shall not be entitled to profit from the increase in value of any asset of the estate, nor shall the fiduciary be chargeable with loss resulting, without the fiduciary’s fault, from the decrease in value or the destruction of any part of the estate, excepting, only to the extent of the fiduciary’s pro rata share in such gain or loss as one of the distributees of the estate.
[C51, §1425, 1427; R60, §2450, 2452; C73, §2471, 2473; C97, §3395, 3397; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §12046, 12048; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §638.6, 638.8; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.157]

  
     
633.158  Liability for property not a part of estate.
  Every fiduciary shall be chargeable in the fiduciary’s accounts with property not a part of the estate that comes into the fiduciary’s hands at any time, and shall be liable to the persons entitled to the property, if either of the following applies:
  1.  The property was received under a duty imposed upon the fiduciary by law in the capacity of fiduciary.
  2.  The fiduciary has commingled the property with the assets of the estate.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.158]
2020 Acts, ch 1063, §341

     
633.159  Judgment — execution.
  If judgment is rendered against a fiduciary for costs in any action prosecuted or defended by the fiduciary in that capacity, execution shall be awarded against the fiduciary as for the fiduciary’s own debt, if it appears to the court that such action was prosecuted or defended without reasonable cause.
[C51, §1433; R60, §2458; C73, §2477; C97, §3401; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §12053; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §638.13; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.159]

     
633.160  Breach of duty.
  Every fiduciary shall be liable and chargeable in the fiduciary’s accounts for neglect or unreasonable delay in collecting the credits or other assets of the estate or in selling, mortgaging or leasing the property of the estate; for neglect in paying over money or delivering property of the estate the fiduciary shall have in the fiduciary’s hands; for failure to account for or to close the estate within the time provided by this probate code; for any loss to the estate arising from the fiduciary’s embezzlement or commingling of the assets of the estate with other property; for loss to the estate through self-dealing; for any loss to the estate arising from wrongful acts or omissions of any cofiduciaries which the fiduciary could have prevented by the exercise of ordinary care; and for any other negligent or willful act or nonfeasance in the fiduciary’s administration of the estate by which loss to the estate arises.
[C51, §1428; R60, §2453; C73, §2482; C97, §3405; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §12057; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §638.17; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.160]
2005 Acts, ch 38, §51

     
633.161  Examination of fiduciaries.
  The fiduciary may be examined under oath by the court upon any matter relating to the fiduciary’s accounts.
[C51, §1424; R60, §2449; C73, §2470; C97, §3395; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §12045; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §638.5; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.161]

     
633.162  Penalty.
  In fixing the fees of any fiduciary, the court shall take into consideration any violation of this probate code by the fiduciary, and may diminish the fee of such fiduciary to the extent the court may determine to be proper.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.162]
2005 Acts, ch 38, §51
633.163 through 633.167Reserved.
PART 7
OATH AND BOND OF FIDUCIARIES

     
633.168  Oath — certification.
  Every fiduciary, before entering upon the duties of the fiduciary’s office, shall subscribe an oath or certify under penalties of perjury that the fiduciary will faithfully discharge the duties imposed by law, according to the best of the fiduciary’s ability.
[C51, §1276, 1316, 1317, 1496; R60, §2308, 2348, 2349, 2548; C73, §2246, 2321, 2362, 2363; C97, §3197, 3267, 3268, 3301; S13, §3268; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §11828, 11838, 11887, 12577, 12579; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §631.10, 632.7, 633.43, 668.5, 668.7; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.168]
2007 Acts, ch 134, §8, 28

     
633.169  Bond.
  Except as herein otherwise provided, every fiduciary shall execute and file with the clerk a bond with sufficient surety or sureties, as hereinafter provided. It shall be conditioned upon the faithful discharge of all the duties of the fiduciary’s office according to law, including the duty to account. It shall be procured at the expense of the estate, if an approved surety company bond is furnished.
[C51, §1276, 1316, 1317; R60, §2308, 2348, 2349; C73, §2321, 2350, 2362, 2363; C97, §3267, 3268, 3293, 3301; S13, §3268; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §11828, 11838, 11876, 11887; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §631.10, 632.7, 633.32, 633.43; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.169]

     
633.170  Amount of bond.
  1.  How determined.  Except as herein otherwise provided, the court or the clerk shall fix the penalty of the bond in an amount equal to the value of the personal property of the estate, plus the estimated gross annual income of the estate during the period of administration.
  2.  Bonds fixed by clerk.  Unless a bond is waived by will under the authority of section 633.172, or by other instrument creating the estate, or in accordance with section 633.173, or by prior order of court, the clerk shall fix the bond in the amount provided by subsection 1 of this section. The clerk shall not thereafter increase or decrease a bond.
[C51, §1276, 1316, 1317; R60, §2308, 2348, 2349; C73, §2321, 2350, 2362, 2363; C97, §3267, 3268, 3293, 3301; S13, §3268; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §11828, 11838, 11876, 11887, 12578; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §631.10, 632.7, 633.32, 633.43, 668.6; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.170]

     
633.171  Approval by clerk.
  The bond shall not be deemed sufficient until it has been examined and approved by the clerk who shall endorse such approval thereon. In the event that the bond is not approved, the fiduciary shall, within such time as the court or the clerk directs, secure and file a bond with satisfactory surety or sureties.
[C51, §1276, 1316, 1317; R60, §2308, 2348, 2349; C73, §2321, 2350, 2362, 2363; C97, §3267, 3268, 3293, 3301; S13, §3268; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §11828, 11838, 11876, 11887; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §631.10, 632.7, 633.32, 633.43; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.171]

     
633.172  Will — waiver of bond.
  1.  When, by the terms of the will, the testator has directed or expressed the desire that no bond shall be required, such direction or expression shall be construed to be a waiver of the posting of a bond by the fiduciary for all purposes, and no bond shall be required unless the court for good cause finds it proper to require one; if no bond is initially required, the court may nevertheless, for good cause, at any subsequent time require that a bond be given.
  2.  Unless otherwise required by the instrument creating the relationship, or by order of court, bank and trust companies shall not be required to provide any bond.
[C51, §1276, 1316, 1317; R60, §2308, 2348, 2349; C73, §2321, 2350, 2362, 2363; C97, §3267, 3268, 3293, 3301; S13, §3268; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §11828, 11838, 11876, 11887; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §631.10, 632.7, 633.32, 633.43; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.172]
86 Acts, ch 1131, §2
Referred to in §633.170, 633.175

     
633.173  Waiver of bond by distributees.
  If the distributees, in writing waive the statutory requirement that a bond shall be filed by the fiduciary with the clerk, and the court finds that the interests of the creditors will not thereby be prejudiced, no bond shall be required.
[C51, §1276, 1316, 1317; R60, §2308, 2348, 2349; C73, §2321, 2350, 2362, 2363; C97, §3267, 3268, 3293, 3301; S13, §3268; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §11828, 11838, 11876, 11887; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §631.10, 632.7, 633.32, 633.43; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.173]
Referred to in §633.170
Attorneys acting as fiduciaries, see Iowa Ct.R. 39.13 

  
     
633.174  Guardians and conservators — bond.
  1.  When the guardian appointed for a person is not the conservator of the property of that person, no bond shall be required of the guardian, unless the court for good cause finds it proper to require one. If no bond is initially required, the court may, nevertheless, for good cause, at any subsequent time, require that a bond be given.
  2.  Every conservator shall execute and file with the clerk a bond with sufficient surety or sureties except as provided in section 633.175.
[C51, §1276, 1316, 1317, 1496; R60, §2308, 2348, 2349, 2548; C73, §2246, 2321, 2350, 2362, 2363; C97, §3197, 3267, 3268, 3293, 3301; S13, §3268; C24, 27, §11828, 11838, 11876, 11887, 12579; C31, 35, §11828, 11838, 11876, 11887, 12579, 12644-c10; C39, §11828, 11838, 11876, 11887, 12579, 12644.10; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §631.10, 632.7, 633.32, 633.43, 668.7, 672.9; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.174]
2019 Acts, ch 57, §7, 43, 44
2019 amendment takes effect January 1, 2020, and applies to guardianships and guardianship proceedings for adults and conservatorships and conservatorship proceedings for adults and minors established or pending before, on, or after that date; 2019 Acts, ch 57, §43, 44

  
     
633.175  Waiver of bond by court.
  1.  The court, for good cause shown, may exempt any fiduciary from giving bond, if the court finds that the interests of creditors and distributees will not thereby be prejudiced.
  2.  However, the court, except as provided in section 633.172, subsection 2, shall not exempt a conservator, other than a financial institution with Iowa trust powers, from giving bond in a conservatorship unless the court finds that there is an alternative to a bond that will provide sufficient protection to the assets of the protected person. The conservator shall submit a plan for any proposed alternative to a bond for review and approval by the court.
[C51, §1276, 1316, 1317, 1496; R60, §2308, 2348, 2349, 2548; C73, §2246, 2321, 2350, 2362, 2363; C97, §3197, 3267, 3268, 3293, 3301; S13, §3268; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §11828, 11838, 11876, 11887, 12577; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §631.10, 632.7, 633.32, 633.43, 668.5; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.175]
91 Acts, ch 36, §5; 92 Acts, ch 1012, §3; 2008 Acts, ch 1119, §15, 39; 2019 Acts, ch 57, §8, 43, 44
Referred to in §633.174
Administering moneys paid by United States department of veterans affairs, see §633.622 
Attorneys acting as fiduciaries, see Iowa Ct.R. 39.13 
2019 amendment takes effect January 1, 2020, and applies to guardianships and guardianship proceedings for adults and conservatorships and conservatorship proceedings for adults and minors established or pending before, on, or after that date; 2019 Acts, ch 57, §43, 44

     
633.176  Reduction of bond by deposit.
  Personal property of the estate may be deposited with a bank or trust company located in the state of Iowa upon such terms as may be prescribed by order of the court. The amount of the bond of the fiduciary may be then reduced as the court may determine.
[C51, §1276, 1316, 1317; R60, §2308, 2348, 2349; C73, §2321, 2350, 2362, 2363; C97, §3267, 3268, 3293, 3301; S13, §3268; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §11828, 11838, 11876, 11887; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §631.10, 632.7, 633.32, 633.43; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.176]

     
633.177  Deposit in lieu of bond.
  The court may permit the fiduciary to deposit cash or other prescribed securities of the fiduciary’s own in lieu of bond.
[C51, §1276, 1316, 1317; R60, §2308, 2348, 2349; C73, §2321, 2350, 2362, 2363; C97, §3267, 3268, 3293, 3301; S13, §3268; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §11828, 11838, 11876, 11887; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §631.10, 632.7, 633.32, 633.43; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.177]

     
633.178  Letters.
  Upon the filing of an oath of office or certification and a bond, if any is required, the clerk shall issue letters under the seal of the court, giving the fiduciary the powers authorized by law.
[C51, §1319; R60, §2351; C73, §2365; C97, §3303; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §11889; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §633.45; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.178]
2007 Acts, ch 134, §9, 28

     
633.179  Review by clerk when inventory is filed.
  At the time the inventory of the estate is filed, the clerk shall review the amount of bond, and report to the court as to any apparent insufficiency thereof.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.179]

     
633.180  Bond changed.
  The court may at any time require a new bond, or increase or decrease the amount of the penalty of the bond of any fiduciary, when good cause therefor appears.
[C51, §1510; R60, §2562; C73, §2247; C97, §3198; C24, 27, §12604; C31, 35, §12604, 12644-c9; C39, §12604, 12644.09; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §668.31, 672.9; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.180]

     
633.181  Obligees of bond — joint and several liability.
  The bond of the fiduciary shall run to the use of all persons interested in the estate, and shall be for the security and benefit of such persons. The sureties shall be jointly and severally liable with the fiduciary, and with each other.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.181]

     
633.182  Qualifications for sureties.
  Qualifications for sureties on probate bonds shall be the same as those provided by section 636.4 or section 636.14, provided, however, that no attorney shall act as surety on any such bond.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.182]

     
633.183  Authority for fiduciary and surety to enter into agreement for deposit of property or joint control.
  It shall be lawful for the fiduciary to agree with the fiduciary’s surety for the deposit of any or all moneys and other property of the estate with a bank, safe deposit or trust company, authorized by law to do business as such, or other depository approved by the court, if such deposit is otherwise proper, in such manner as to prevent the withdrawal of such moneys or other property without the written consent of the surety, or on order of the court made on such notice to the surety as the court may direct.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.183]
See also §636.47 

     
633.184  Release of sureties before estate fully administered.
  1.  Release for cause.  For good cause, the court may, before the estate is fully administered, order the release of the sureties of the fiduciary and require the fiduciary to furnish a new bond.
  2.  Extent of liability of original and new sureties.  The original sureties shall be liable for all breaches of the obligation of the bond up to the time of filing of the new bond and the approval thereof by the clerk, but not for acts and omissions of the fiduciary thereafter. The new bond shall bind the sureties thereon with respect to acts and omissions of the fiduciary from the time when the sureties on the original bond are no longer liable therefor.
[C51, §1318; R60, §2350; C73, §2364; C97, §3302; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §11888; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §633.44; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.184]

     
633.185  Insolvency of fiduciary.
  If, at any time, a fiduciary becomes insolvent after qualifying as such fiduciary, and after the maturity of a debt owing by such fiduciary to the estate, then the fiduciary and the sureties on the bond shall be liable to the estate for the indebtedness owing by the fiduciary to the estate. If the fiduciary is not solvent at any time after qualification and after the maturity of the debt, the sureties on the bond shall not be liable to the estate for the indebtedness.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.185]

     
633.186  Suit on bond.
  1.  Execution of bond deemed as appearance.  The execution and filing of the bond by a fiduciary, any other provisions of law notwithstanding, shall be deemed an appearance by the surety in the proceeding for the administration of the estate including all hearings with respect to the bond.
  2.  Summary enforcement in proceedings for administration.  Subject to the provisions of subsection 3 hereof, the court may, upon the breach of the obligation of the bond of a fiduciary, after notice to the obligors on the bond and to such other persons as the court directs, summarily determine the damages as a part of the proceeding for the administration of the estate, and by appropriate process enforce the collection thereof from those liable on the bond. Such determination and enforcement may be made by the court upon its own motion or upon application of a successor fiduciary, or of any other interested person. The court may hear the application at the time of settling the accounts of the defaulting fiduciary or at such other time as the court may direct. Damages shall be assessed on behalf of all interested persons and may be paid over to the successor or other nondefaulting fiduciary and distributed as other assets held by the fiduciary in the fiduciary’s official capacity.
  3.  Enforcement by separate suit.  If the estate is already distributed, or if, for any reason, the procedure to recover on the bond provided in subsection 2 hereof, is inadequate, any interested person may bring a separate suit in a court of competent jurisdiction on the person’s own behalf for damages suffered by the person by reason of the default of the fiduciary.
  4.  Bond not void upon first recovery.  The bond of the fiduciary shall not be void upon the first recovery, but may be proceeded upon from time to time until the whole penalty is exhausted.
  5.  Denial of liability by surety — intervention.  If the court has already determined the liability of the fiduciary, the sureties shall not be permitted thereafter to deny such liability in any action or hearing to determine their liability; but the surety may intervene in any hearing to determine the liability of the fiduciary.
[C51, §1387, 1389, 1509; R60, §2419, 2421, 2561; C73, §2251, 2435; C97, §3201, 3361; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §11984, 11985, 12603; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §635.79, 635.80, 668.30; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.186]
Referred to in §633.487
See §636.20 

     
633.187  Limitation of action on bond.
  No proceedings upon the bond of a fiduciary shall be brought subsequent to two years after the discharge of the fiduciary or six months after the discovery of fraud, whichever is later.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.187]
633.188 through 633.196Reserved.
PART 8
COMPENSATION OF FIDUCIARIES

AND ATTORNEYS

     
633.197  Compensation — schedule of fees.
  1.  Personal representatives shall be allowed such reasonable fees as may be determined by the court for services rendered, but not in excess of the following commissions upon the gross assets of the estate listed in the probate inventory, which shall be received as full compensation for all ordinary services:
  a.  For the first one thousand dollars, six percent.
  b.  For the overplus between one and five thousand dollars, four percent.
  c.  For all sums over five thousand dollars, two percent.
  2.  For purposes of this section, the gross assets of the estate shall not include life insurance proceeds, unless payable to the decedent’s estate.
[C51, §1429; R60, §2454; C73, §2494; C97, §3415; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §12063; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §638.23; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.197]
94 Acts, ch 1153, §8; 2005 Acts, ch 38, §11; 2013 Acts, ch 30, §190
See also §633.86 and 633.162 

     
633.198  Attorney fee.
  There shall also be allowed and taxed as part of the costs of administration of estates as an attorney fee for the personal representative’s attorney, such reasonable fee as may be determined by the court, for services rendered, but not in excess of the schedule of fees provided in this part for personal representatives.
[C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §12064; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §638.24; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.198]
2021 Acts, ch 80, §361

     
633.199  Expenses and extraordinary services.
  Such further allowances as are just and reasonable may be made by the court to personal representatives and their attorneys for actual necessary and extraordinary expenses and services. Necessary and extraordinary services shall be construed to include but not be limited to services in connection with real estate, tax issues, disputed matters, nonprobate assets, reopening the estate, location of unknown and lost heirs and beneficiaries, and management and disposition of unusual assets. Relevant factors to be considered in determining the value of such services shall include but not be limited to the following:
  1.  Time necessarily spent by the personal representatives and their attorneys.
  2.  Nature of the matters or issues and the extent of the services provided.
  3.  Complexity of the issues and the importance of the issues to the estate.
  4.  Responsibilities assumed.
  5.  Resolution.
  6.  Experience and expertise of the personal representatives and their attorneys.
[C51, §1430; R60, §2455; C73, §2495; C97, §3415; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §12065; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §638.25; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.199]
2007 Acts, ch 134, §10, 28

     
633.200  Compensation of other fiduciaries and their attorneys.
  The court shall allow and fix from time to time the compensation for fiduciaries, other than personal representatives, and their attorneys for such services as they shall render as shown by an itemized claim or report made and filed setting forth what such services consist of during the period of time they continue to act in such capacities.
[C51, §1515; R60, §2567; C73, §2256; C97, §3205; C24, 27, §12599; C31, 35, §12065-d1, 12599; C39, §12065.1, 12599; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §638.26, 668.26; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.200]

     
633.201  Court officers as fiduciaries.
  Judges, clerks, and deputy clerks serving as fiduciaries shall not be allowed any compensation for services as such fiduciaries. A judge, clerk, or deputy clerk serving as a fiduciary may be compensated for fiduciary services if the services are for a family member’s estate, trust, guardianship, or conservatorship. For purposes of this section, “family member” means a spouse, child, grandchild, parent, grandparent, sibling, niece, nephew, cousin, or other relative or individual with significant personal ties to the fiduciary.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.201]
2007 Acts, ch 86, §9

     
633.202  Affidavit relative to compensation.
  In no case shall the compensation of fiduciaries and their attorneys be allowed or paid until there shall have been filed with the clerk of the district court in which administration of the estate is pending an affidavit of the fiduciary, or attorney, as the case may be, stating that there is no contract, agreement, or arrangement, either oral or written, express or implied, contemplating any division of compensation for such services, or participation therein, directly or indirectly, by any other person, firm, or corporation with such fiduciary or attorney, unless it be with a regular and bona fide law partner, or with one jointly serving with them in the same capacity in relation to the estate in which such compensation is allowed, in which event the affidavit shall show such fact.
[C31, 35, §12065-d2; C39, §12065.2; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §638.27; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.202]
Referred to in §633.203

  
     
633.203  Affidavit for corporate fiduciary.
  In any case where a corporation is acting as a fiduciary under and by virtue of the provisions of chapter 524, subchapter X, the affidavit required by section 633.202 shall be executed and made by an officer of such corporation.
[C31, 35, §12065-d3; C39, §12065.3; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §638.28; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.203]

     
633.204  Fees of deceased fiduciary.
  When a fiduciary dies, all fees to which the fiduciary’s personal representative and the fiduciary’s attorney are entitled shall be a charge against the estate assets until paid.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.204]
633.205 through 633.209Reserved.

SUBCHAPTER IV
INTESTATE SUCCESSION
PART 1
RULES OF INHERITANCE

     
633.210  Rules of descent.
  The estate of a person dying intestate shall descend as provided in sections 633.211 through 633.226.
[C51, §1390; R60, §2422; C73, §2436; C97, §3362; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §11986; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §636.1; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.210]
2021 Acts, ch 80, §362
Referred to in §910.3B

     
633.211  Share of surviving spouse if decedent left no issue or left issue all of whom are issue of surviving spouse.
  If the decedent dies intestate leaving a surviving spouse and leaving no issue or leaving issue all of whom are the issue of the surviving spouse, the surviving spouse shall receive the following share:
  1.  All the value of all the legal or equitable estates in real property possessed by the decedent at any time during the marriage, which have not been sold on execution or by other judicial sale, and to which the surviving spouse has made no relinquishment of right.
  2.  All personal property that, at the time of death, was, in the hands of the decedent as the head of a family, exempt from execution.
  3.  All other personal property of the decedent which is not necessary for the payment of debts and charges.
[C51, §1329, 1390, 1394, 1421; R60, §2361, 2422, 2477, 2479; C73, §2371, 2436, 2440; C97, §3312, 3362, 3366; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §11918, 11986, 11990, 11991; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §635.7, 636.1, 636.5, 636.6; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.211]
85 Acts, ch 19, §1
Referred to in §633.210, 633.218, 633.246, 633.267, 633.272, 633.436, 633A.3106

     
633.212  Share of surviving spouse if decedent left issue some of whom are not issue of surviving spouse.
  If the decedent dies intestate leaving a surviving spouse and leaving issue some of whom are not the issue of the surviving spouse, the surviving spouse shall receive the following share:
  1.  One-half in value of all the legal or equitable estates in real property possessed by the decedent at any time during the marriage, which have not been sold on execution or by other judicial sale, and to which the surviving spouse has made no relinquishment of right.
  2.  All personal property that, at the time of death, was in the hands of the decedent as the head of a family, exempt from execution.
  3.  One-half of all other personal property of the decedent which is not necessary for the payment of debts and charges.
  4.  If the property received by the surviving spouse under subsections 1, 2 and 3 of this section is not equal in value to the sum of fifty thousand dollars, then so much additional of any remaining homestead interest and of the remaining real and personal property of the decedent that is subject to payment of debts and charges against the decedent’s estate, after payment of the debts and charges, even to the extent of the whole of the net estate, as necessary to make the amount of fifty thousand dollars.
[C51, §1410; R60, §2495; C73, §2455; C97, §3379; S13, §3379, 3381-a; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §12017; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §636.32; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.212]
85 Acts, ch 19, §2
Referred to in §633.210, 633.218, 633.246, 633.267, 633.272, 633.436, 633A.3106

     
633.213  Appraisal.
  Prior to the settlement of every intestate estate in which there is a surviving spouse, and in which appraisal has not been waived by the surviving spouse and all the heirs of the decedent, the court, upon application of the personal representative, the surviving spouse, or any of the heirs of the decedent, shall appoint three competent disinterested appraisers to appraise the estate and to make their report to the court, at the time as the court may direct by order, unless the court, after notice, finds further appraisal unnecessary. In the appraisement, the homestead, if any, shall be appraised separately.
[C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §12018; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §636.33; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.213]
84 Acts, ch 1067, §47
Referred to in §633.210, 633.214

     
633.214  Procedure determined by court.
  At the time it appoints the appraisers provided for by section 633.213 the court shall prescribe the kind of notice and the method of service thereof, whether by publication or otherwise.
[C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §12019; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §636.34; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.214]
Referred to in §633.210

     
633.215  Notice.
  Such notice shall designate the names of the appraisers, the time and place of the appraisement, and the date on which the appraisers shall file with the clerk the report of their appraisement, directed to all persons interested in such appraisement.
[C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §12020; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §636.35; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.215]
Referred to in §633.210

     
633.216  Objections.
  All persons interested in such report and having objections to it and the appraisement, shall file their objections within ten days after the date fixed in said notice for the filing of the report of such appraisement.
[C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §12021; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §636.36; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.216]
Referred to in §633.210

     
633.217  Trial.
  Such objections, if any, shall be tried to the court as in equity, and the court shall enter a final order in the matter.
[C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §12022; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §636.37; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.217]
Referred to in §633.210

     
633.218  Right of spouse to select property.
  After such proceedings, and after payment of debts and charges, the surviving spouse shall have the right to select from the property so appraised, at its appraised value thus fixed, property equal in value to the amount to which the spouse is entitled under section 633.211 or 633.212 which selection shall be in writing filed with the clerk of court.
[C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §12023; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §636.38; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.218]
Referred to in §633.210

     
633.219  Share of others than surviving spouse.
  The part of the intestate estate not passing to the surviving spouse, or if there is no surviving spouse, the entire net estate passes as follows:
  1.  To the issue of the decedent per stirpes.
  2.  If there is no surviving issue, to the parents of the decedent equally; and if either parent is dead, the portion that would have gone to such deceased parent shall go to the survivor.
  3.  If there is no person to take under either subsection 1 or 2 of this section, the estate shall be divided and set aside into two equal shares. One share shall be distributed to the issue of the decedent’s mother per stirpes and one share shall be distributed to the issue of the decedent’s father per stirpes. If there are no surviving issue of one deceased parent, the entire estate passes to the issue of the other deceased parent in accordance with this subsection.
  4.  If there is no person to take under subsection 1, 2, or 3 of this section, and the decedent is survived by one or more grandparents or issue of grandparents, half the estate passes to the paternal grandparents, if both survive, or to the surviving paternal grandparent if only one survives. If neither paternal grandparent survives, this half share shall be further divided into two equal subshares. One subshare shall be distributed to the issue of the decedent’s paternal grandmother per stirpes and one subshare shall be distributed to the issue of the decedent’s paternal grandfather per stirpes. If there are no surviving issue of one deceased paternal grandparent, the entire half share passes to the issue of the other deceased paternal grandparent and their issue in the same manner. The other half of the decedent’s estate passes to the maternal grandparents and their issue in the same manner. If there are no surviving grandparents or issue of grandparents on either the paternal or maternal side, the entire estate passes to the decedent’s surviving grandparents or their issue on the other side in accordance with this subsection.
  5.  If there is no person to take under subsection 1, 2, 3, or 4 of this section, and the decedent is survived by one or more great-grandparents or issue of great-grandparents, the estate passes equally to each set of great-grandparents, or to their issue, if any survive, per stirpes.
  6.  If there is no person to take under subsection 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 of this section, the portion uninherited shall go to the issue of the deceased spouse of the intestate, per stirpes. If the intestate has had more than one spouse who died in lawful wedlock, it shall be equally divided between the issue, per stirpes, of those deceased spouses.
  7.  If there is no person who qualifies under either subsection 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 of this section, the intestate property shall escheat to the state of Iowa.
[C51, §1408 – 1411, 1413, 1414; R60, §2436, 2437, 2439, 2440, 2495 – 2497; C73, §2453 – 2458, 2460; C97, §3378 – 3382, 3387; S13, §3379, 3381-a, -b, -c; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §12016, 12017, 12024 – 12028, 12035; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §636.31, 636.32, 636.39 – 636.43, 636.50; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.219]
93 Acts, ch 111, §2; 95 Acts, ch 63, §4; 2000 Acts, ch 1012, §1
Referred to in §633.210, 633.267, 633.304, 633.305, 633A.3106, 633A.3110

     
633.220  Afterborn heirs — time of determining relationship.
  Heirs of an intestate, begotten before the intestate’s death but born thereafter, shall inherit as if they had been born in the lifetime of the intestate and had survived the intestate. With this exception, the intestate succession shall be determined by the relationships existing at the time of the death of the intestate.
[C51, §1284, 1285; R60, §2316, 2317; C73, §2334, 2335; C97, §3279; S13, §3279; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §11858; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §633.13; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.220]
Referred to in §633.210

  
     
633.220A  Posthumous child.
  1.  For the purposes of rules relating to intestate succession, a child of an intestate conceived and born after the intestate’s death or born as the result of the implantation of an embryo after the death of the intestate is deemed a child of the intestate as if the child had been born during the lifetime of the intestate and had survived the intestate, if all of the following conditions are met: 
  a.  A genetic parent-child relationship between the child and the intestate is established. 
  b.  The intestate, in a signed writing, authorized the intestate’s surviving spouse to use the deceased parent’s genetic material to initiate the posthumous procedure that resulted in the child’s birth. 
  c.  The child is born within two years of the death of the intestate. 
  2.  Any heir of the intestate whose interest in the intestate’s estate would be reduced by the birth of a child born as provided in subsection 1 shall have one year from the birth of the child within which to bring an action challenging the child’s right to inherit under this chapter. 
  3.  For the purposes of this section, “genetic material” means sperm, eggs, or embryos. 
2011 Acts, ch 18, §2
Referred to in §633.210

     
633.221  Biological child — inherit from mother.
  Unless the child has been adopted, a biological child shall inherit from the child’s biological mother, and she from the child.
[C51, §1415; R60, §2441; C73, §2465; C97, §3384; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §12030; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §636.45; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.221]
94 Acts, ch 1046, §27
Referred to in §633.3, 633.210

     
633.222  Biological child — inherit from father.
  Unless the child has been adopted, a biological child inherits from the child’s biological father if the evidence proving paternity is available during the father’s lifetime, or if the child has been recognized by the father as his child; but the recognition must have been general and notorious, or in writing. Under such circumstances, if the recognition has been mutual, and the child has not been adopted, the father may inherit from his biological child.
[C51, §1416, 1417; R60, §2442, 2443; C73, §2466, 2467; C97, §3385; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §12031; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §636.46; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.222]
86 Acts, ch 1086, §1; 94 Acts, ch 1046, §28
Referred to in §633.3, 633.210

     
633.223  Effect of adoption.
  1.  Except as provided in subsection 3, a lawful adoption extinguishes the right of intestate succession of an adopted person from and through the adopted person’s biological parents. The adopted person inherits from and through the adoptive parents in the same manner as a biological child inherits from and through the child’s biological parents.
  2.  Except as provided in subsection 3, a lawful adoption extinguishes the right of intestate succession of a biological parent from and through the parent’s biological child who is adopted. The adoptive parents inherit from and through the adopted person in the same manner as biological parents inherit from and through the parents’ biological child.
  3.  An adoption of a person by the spouse or surviving spouse of a biological parent has no effect on the relationship for inheritance purposes between the adopted person and that biological parent or biological parent’s heirs. An adoption of a person by the spouse or surviving spouse of a biological parent after the death of the other biological parent has no effect on the relationship for inheritance purposes between the adopted person and the deceased biological parent’s heirs.
  4.  A person inherits through an adopted person, an adoptive parent, or a biological parent of an adopted person only if the adopted person, adoptive parent, or biological parent of an adopted person would have inherited under subsection 1, 2, or 3.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.223; 81 Acts, ch 194, §1]
94 Acts, ch 1046, §29
Referred to in §633.210

     
633.224  Advancements — in general.
  When the owner of property transfers it as an advancement to a person who would be an heir of such transferor were the latter to die at that time, and the transferor dies intestate, then the property thus advanced shall be counted toward the share of the transferee in the estate, which for this purpose only shall be increased by the value of the advancement at the time the advancement was made. The transferee shall have no liability to the estate for such part, if any, of the advancement as may be in excess of the transferee’s share in the estate as thus determined. Every gratuitous inter vivos transfer is presumed to be an absolute gift, and not an advancement. Such presumption is rebuttable.
[C51, §1419, 1420; R60, §2445, 2446; C73, §2459; C97, §3383; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §12029; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §636.44; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.224]
2013 Acts, ch 30, §163
Referred to in §633.210, 633.225, 633.226

     
633.225  Valuation of advancements.
  An advancement under section 633.224 shall be valued as of the time when the advancee came into possession or enjoyment or as of the date of the death of the intestate, whichever first occurs.
[C51, §1419, 1420; R60, §2445, 2446; C73, §2459; C97, §3383; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §12029; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §636.44; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.225]
Referred to in §633.210

     
633.226  Death of advancee before intestate.
  If an advancee under section 633.224 dies before the intestate, leaving an heir who takes from the intestate, the advancement shall be taken into account in the same manner as if it had been made directly to such heir. If such heir is entitled to a lesser share in the estate than the advancee would have been entitled to, had the advancee survived the intestate, then the heir shall be charged with only such proportion of the advancement as the amount the heir would have inherited, had there been no advancement, bears to the amount which the advancee would have inherited, had there been no advancement.
[C51, §1419, 1420; R60, §2445, 2446; C73, §2459; C97, §3383; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §12029; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §636.44; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.226]
Referred to in §633.210
PART 2
PROCEDURE FOR OPENING ADMINISTRATION

OF INTESTATE ESTATES

     
633.227  Administration granted.
  Where there is no will, administration shall be granted to any qualified person on the petition of:
  1.  The surviving spouse;
  2.  The heirs of the decedent;
  3.  Creditors of the decedent;
  4.  Other persons showing good grounds therefor.
[C51, §1311, 1312; R60, §2343, 2344; C73, §2354, 2355; C97, §3297; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §11883; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §633.39; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.227]
Referred to in §635.1

     
633.228  Time allowed.
  1.  To file such petition, there shall be allowed, commencing with the death of the decedent:
  a.  To the surviving spouse, a period of twenty days.
  b.  To each other class in succession, a period of ten days.
  2.  The period allowed each class shall be advanced to the period allowed the preceding class if there is no member of such preceding class. Any member of any class may file such petition after the expiration of the period allowed to the member if letters have not been issued prior thereto.
[C51, §1313; R60, §2345; C73, §2356; C97, §3298; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §11884; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §633.40; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.228]
2013 Acts, ch 30, §191
Referred to in §635.1

     
633.229  Petition for administration of an intestate estate.
  The petition for administration of an intestate estate shall contain the following:
  1.  The name, domicile and date of death of the decedent.
  2.  If the decedent was domiciled outside the state at the time of the decedent’s death, a statement that the decedent had property within the county in which the petition is filed, or any other basis for jurisdiction in such county.
  3.  The name and address of the surviving spouse, if any, and the name and address of each heir so far as known to the petitioner.
  4.  The estimated value of the personal property of the estate plus the estimated gross annual income of the estate during the period of administration.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.229]

  
     
633.230  Notice in intestate estates.
  1.  In intestate matters, the administrator, as soon as letters are issued, shall cause to be published once each week for two consecutive weeks in a daily or weekly newspaper of general circulation published in the county in which the estate is pending, and at any time during the pendency of administration that the administrator has knowledge of the name and address of a person believed to own or possess a claim which will not or may not be paid or otherwise satisfied during administration, provide by ordinary mail to each such claimant at the claimant’s last known address, a notice of appointment which shall be in substantially the following form:
In the District Court of Iowa

in and for .................... County.
  In the Estate of               Probate No. ................

  ...................., Deceased

               NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT OF

               ADMINISTRATOR AND

               NOTICE TO CREDITORS

  To All Persons Interested in the Estate of ...................., Deceased, who died on or about .................... (date):

  You are hereby notified that on the ........ day of ............ (month), ............ (year), the undersigned was appointed administrator of the estate.

  Notice is hereby given that all persons indebted to the estate are requested to make immediate payment to the undersigned, and creditors having claims against the estate shall file them with the clerk of the above-named district court, as provided by law, duly authenticated, for allowance, and, unless so filed by the later to occur of four months from the date of second publication of this notice or one month from the date of the mailing of this notice (unless otherwise allowed or paid), a claim is thereafter forever barred.

  Dated this ........ day of ............ (month), ............ (year)

                 ....................

                 Administrator of the estate

                 ....................

                 Address

....................

Attorney for the administrator

....................

Address

Date of second publication

........ day of ............ (month), ............ (year)

  (Date to be inserted by publisher)

  2.  An action based upon the failure to give notice by mail required by this section, section 633.304 or 633.305, to heirs of a decedent or to persons known by the personal representative to own or possess a claim in any estate in which the personal representative was discharged prior to July 1, 1989, shall not be maintained in any court in this state unless commenced prior to July 1, 1991.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.230]
84 Acts, ch 1080, §1, 2; 89 Acts, ch 35, §2; 90 Acts, ch 1036, §1; 2000 Acts, ch 1058, §66; 2016 Acts, ch 1073, §170; 2017 Acts, ch 29, §161
Referred to in §590.1, 633A.3109, 633A.3111, 635.13

  
     
633.231  Notice in intestate estates — medical assistance claims.
  1.  Upon opening administration of an intestate estate, the administrator shall, in accordance with section 633.410, provide by electronic transmission on a form approved by the department of human services to the entity designated by the department of human services, a notice of opening administration of the estate and of the appointment of the administrator, which shall include a notice to file claims with the clerk or to provide electronic notification to the administrator that the department has no claim within six months from the date of sending this notice, or thereafter be forever barred.
  2.  The notice shall be in substantially the following form:
In the District Court of Iowa

in and for .................... County.
  In the Estate of               Probate No. ................

  ...................., Deceased

               NOTICE OF OPENING

               ADMINISTRATION OF

               ESTATE, OF APPOINTMENT OF

               ADMINISTRATOR, AND

               NOTICE TO CREDITOR

  To the Department of Human Services Who May Be Interested in the Estate of ...................., Deceased, who died on or about ........................ (date):

  You are hereby notified that on the ........ day of ............ (month), ............ (year), an intestate estate was opened in the above-named court and that .................... was appointed administrator of the estate.

  You are further notified that the birthdate of the deceased is ............ and the deceased’s social security number is ...-...-.... The name of the spouse is ................................. The birthdate of the spouse is ............ and the spouse’s social security number is ...-...-...., and that the spouse of the deceased is alive as of the date of this notice, or deceased as of ........................ (date).

  You are further notified that the deceased was/was not a disabled or a blind child of the medical assistance recipient by the name of ...................., who had a birthdate of ............ and a social security number of ...-...-...., and the medical assistance debt of that medical assistance recipient was waived pursuant to section 249A.53, subsection 2, paragraph “a”, subparagraph (1), and is now collectible from this estate pursuant to section 249A.53, subsection 2, paragraph “b”.

  Notice is hereby given that if the department of human services has a claim against the estate for the deceased person or persons named in this notice, the claim shall be filed with the clerk of the above-named district court, as provided by law, duly authenticated, for allowance, within six months from the date of sending this notice and, unless otherwise allowed or paid, the claim is thereafter forever barred. If the department does not have a claim, the department shall return the notice to the administrator with notification stating the department does not have a claim within six months from the date of sending this notice.

  Dated this ........ day of ............ (month), ............ (year)

                 ....................

                 Administrator of the estate

                 ....................

                 Address

....................

Attorney for the administrator

....................

Address

2001 Acts, ch 109, §1; 2002 Acts, ch 1119, §97; 2007 Acts, ch 134, §11; 2010 Acts, ch 1137, §4; 2011 Acts, ch 34, §139; 2016 Acts, ch 1073, §171
Referred to in §633.410, 635.13
633.232 through 633.235Reserved.

SUBCHAPTER V
RIGHTS OF SURVIVING SPOUSE
Referred to in §249A.3
PART 1
RIGHT TO TAKE AGAINST THE WILL

     
633.236  Right of elective share of surviving spouse.
  When a married person domiciled in Iowa at the time of death dies, the surviving spouse shall have the right to take an elective share under the provisions of sections 633.237 through 633.246. If the surviving spouse has a conservator, the court may authorize or direct the conservator to elect the share as the court deems appropriate under the circumstances.
[C51, §1407; R60, §2435; C73, §2452; C97, §3376; S13, §3376; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §12006, 12010; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §636.21, 636.25; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.236]
88 Acts, ch 1064, §1; 2005 Acts, ch 38, §12
Referred to in §633.237, 633.245, 633.246, 633.247, 633.264, 633.642
Effect on medical assistance eligibility, see §249A.3(11) and 633.246A 

  
     
633.237  Presumption against filing elective share.
  1.  Following the appointment of a personal representative of the estate of the decedent, the personal representative shall cause to be served a written notice upon the surviving spouse pursuant to section 633.40, subsection 5, notifying the surviving spouse that unless, within four months after service of the notice, the spouse files an election in writing with the clerk of court electing the share as set forth in section 633.236 and sections 633.238 through 633.246, the spouse shall be deemed to take under the will or to receive the intestate share. If, within the four-month period following service of the notice, an affidavit is filed setting forth that the surviving spouse is incapable of making the election and does not have a conservator, the personal representative shall make application to the court for an order pursuant to section 633.244.
  2.  Following the death of a settlor of a revocable trust, the trustee of such revocable trust shall cause to be served a written notice upon the surviving spouse pursuant to section 633.40, subsection 5, notifying the surviving spouse that unless, within four months after service of the notice, the spouse files an election with the trustee electing the share as set forth in section 633.236 and sections 633.238 through 633.246, the spouse shall be deemed to take under the terms of the revocable trust. If, within the four-month period following service of the notice, an affidavit is filed setting forth that the surviving spouse is incapable of making the election and does not have a conservator, the trustee shall make application to the court for an order pursuant to section 633.244.
  3.  If the surviving spouse has a conservator, notice shall be given to the conservator and the spouse pursuant to subsections 1 and 2.
  4.  The notice provisions under subsections 1 and 2 are not applicable if the surviving spouse or the spouse’s conservator files, at any time, an election to take under the will, receive the intestate share, or take under the revocable trust. If the surviving spouse fails to file an election under this section within four months of the date notice is served, it shall be conclusively presumed that the surviving spouse elects to take under the will, receive the intestate share, or take under the revocable trust.
  5.  Upon application of the surviving spouse or the spouse’s conservator filed before the time for making the election expires, the court may extend the period in which the surviving spouse may make the election.
[C73, §2452; C97, §3376; S13, §3376; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §12007, 12010; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §636.22, 636.25; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.237]
84 Acts, ch 1080, §3; 88 Acts, ch 1064, §2; 2005 Acts, ch 38, §13; 2009 Acts, ch 52, §3, 14; 2012 Acts, ch 1123, §3, 32
Referred to in §633.236, 633.241, 633.246, 633A.3110, 635.13

  
     
633.238  Elective share of surviving spouse.
  1.  The elective share of the surviving spouse shall be limited to all of the following:
  a.  One-third in value of all the legal or equitable estates in real property possessed by the decedent at any time during the marriage which have not been sold on execution or other judicial sale, and to which the surviving spouse has made no express written relinquishment of right, including but not limited to any relinquishments of rights described in paragraph “d”.
  b.  All personal property that, at the time of death, was in the hands of the decedent as the head of a family, exempt from execution.
  c.  One-third of all personal property of the decedent that is not necessary for the payment of debts and charges.
  d.  (1)  One-third in value of the property held in trust not necessary for the payment of debts and charges over which the decedent was a settlor and retained at the time of death the power to alter, amend, or revoke the trust, or over which the decedent waived or rescinded any such power within one year of the date of death, and to which the surviving spouse has not made any express written relinquishment in compliance with subparagraph (2).
  (2)  The elective share of the surviving spouse shall not include the value of the property held in a trust described in subparagraph (1), if both of the following are true:
  (a)  The decedent created the trust after the date of decedent’s marriage to the surviving spouse.
  (b)  Every transfer of property into the trust, except for tangible personal property, included a written statement which complied with this subparagraph division. The written statement shall be in boldface type of a minimum size of ten points, signed and dated by the surviving spouse with a valid notarial acknowledgment, and in substantially the following form:
   By signing below, I acknowledge that I am giving up all rights to enjoyment of the property described above, regardless of whether or not I survive my spouse and regardless of any rights Iowa law otherwise gives to me with respect to such property. I am specifically waiving my elective share in the property described in this waiver.
   This waiver shall apply regardless of any changes made to the trust in the future, including any change to the beneficiaries of the trust.

  2.  When a settlor of a revocable trust transfers real property to the trustee of the revocable trust and the settlor’s spouse signs a conveyance of the real property to such trustee which includes a general waiver of rights of dower, homestead, and distributive share, the spouse is only relinquishing the right to that real property and its value under subsection 1, paragraph “a”, for the purpose of conveying marketable title to a subsequent purchaser from the trustee and is not relinquishing the right to the value of the real estate under subsection 1, paragraph “d”, unless the spouse specifically states in writing an intent to relinquish the right to the value of the real estate under subsection 1, paragraph “d”. The relinquishment of right under subsection 1, paragraph “a” shall not prevent the surviving spouse from electing one-third in value of such real property under subsection 1, paragraph “d”.
  3.  The elective share described in this section shall be in lieu of any property the spouse would otherwise receive under the last will and testament of the decedent, through intestacy, or under the terms of a revocable trust.
[C51, §1329, 1390, 1394, 1421; R60, §2361, 2422, 2477, 2479; C73, §2371, 2436, 2440; C97, §3312, 3362, 3366; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §11918, 11986, 11990, 11991; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §635.7, 636.1, 636.5, 636.6; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.238]
2005 Acts, ch 38, §14; 2009 Acts, ch 52, §4, 14; 2015 Acts, ch 125, §4, 7
Referred to in §614.14, 633.236, 633.237, 633.239, 633.240, 633.246

     
633.239  Share to embrace homestead.
  The share of the surviving spouse in such real estate shall be set off in such manner as to include the homestead, or so much thereof as will be equal to the share allotted to the spouse pursuant to section 633.238 unless the spouse prefers a different arrangement, but no such different arrangement shall be allowed unless there is sufficient property remaining to pay the claims and charges against the decedent’s estate.
[C51, §1395; R60, §2426; C73, §2441; C97, §3367; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §11992; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §636.7; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.239]
2005 Acts, ch 38, §15
Referred to in §633.236, 633.237

     
633.240  Election to receive homestead.
  In estates in which the surviving spouse has filed an election and in all intestate estates, whether an election is filed or not, the surviving spouse or the spouse’s conservator, if applicable, may, in lieu of the spouse’s share in the real property possessed by the decedent at any time during the marriage, which has not been sold on execution or other judicial sale, and to which the surviving spouse has made no express written relinquishment of right, elect to receive a life estate in the homestead. Such election shall be made and entered of record as provided in section 633.245. In making such election, the surviving spouse shall have all the rights as to the personal property provided in section 633.238, subsection 1, paragraphs “b”, “c”, and “d”. In case of failure to make such election, the right to receive the life estate in the homestead shall be waived.
[C97, §3377; S13, §3377; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §12012; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §636.27; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.240]
88 Acts, ch 1064, §3; 2005 Acts, ch 38, §16
Referred to in §633.236, 633.237, 633.245, 633.246, 633.642

     
633.241  Time for election to receive life estate in homestead.
  If the surviving spouse does not make an election to receive the life estate in the homestead and file it with the clerk within four months from the date of service of notice under section 633.237, it shall be conclusively presumed that the surviving spouse waives the right to make the election. The court on application may, prior to the expiration of the period of four months, for cause shown, enter an order extending the time for making the election.
[C97, §3377; S13, §3377; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §12013; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §636.28; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.241]
84 Acts, ch 1080, §4; 2005 Acts, ch 38, §17; 2008 Acts, ch 1119, §16, 39
Referred to in §633.236, 633.237

     
633.242  Rights of election personal to surviving spouse.
  The right of the surviving spouse to take an elective share, and the right of the surviving spouse to receive a life estate in the homestead, are personal. They are not transferable and cannot be exercised for the spouse subsequent to the spouse’s death. If the surviving spouse dies prior to filing an election, it shall be conclusively presumed that the surviving spouse does not take such elective share.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.242]
2005 Acts, ch 38, §18
Referred to in §633.236, 633.237

     
633.243  Filing elections.
  The filing of the elective share and the election to receive a life estate in the homestead shall be filed in the office of the clerk in which the decedent’s estate is being administered and served on the trustee of the revocable trust. The court where the election is filed shall have exclusive jurisdiction over all matters regarding elections under this chapter.
[C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §12010; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §636.25; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.243]
2005 Acts, ch 38, §19
Referred to in §633.236, 633.237

     
633.244  Incompetent spouse — election by court.
  In case an affidavit is filed that the surviving spouse is incapable of determining whether to take the elective share, or to elect to receive a life estate in the homestead, and does not have a conservator, the court shall fix a time and place of hearing on the matter and cause a notice thereof to be served upon the surviving spouse in such manner and for such time as the court may direct. At the hearing, a guardian ad litem shall be appointed to represent the spouse and the court shall enter such orders as it deems appropriate under the circumstances. The guardian ad litem shall be a practicing attorney.
[S13, §3376, 3377; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §12011, 12014; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §636.26, 636.29; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.244]
88 Acts, ch 1064, §4; 90 Acts, ch 1271, §1513; 2005 Acts, ch 38, §20
Referred to in §229.27, 633.236, 633.237, 633.245, 633.246

     
633.245  Record of election.
  The elections of the surviving spouse under section 633.236, 633.240, or 633.244 shall be entered on the proper records of the court.
[C73, §2452; C97, §3376; S13, §3376; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §12008; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §636.23; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.245]
Referred to in §633.236, 633.237, 633.240

  
     
633.246  Election not subject to change.
  1.  An election by or on behalf of a surviving spouse to take the share provided in section 633.211, 633.212, 633.236, 633.238, 633.240, or 633.244 shall be binding and shall not be subject to change except for such causes as would justify an equitable decree for the rescission of a deed.
  2.  An affirmative election to take under the will, receive the intestate share, or take under the revocable trust shall be irrevocable when filed as provided in section 633.237.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.246]
2009 Acts, ch 52, §5, 14; 2012 Acts, ch 1123, §4, 32
Referred to in §633.236, 633.237

  
     
633.246A  Medical assistance eligibility.
  Unless precluded from doing so under the terms of a premarital agreement, the failure of a surviving spouse to make an election under this subchapter constitutes a transfer of assets for the purpose of determining eligibility for medical assistance pursuant to chapter 249A to the extent that the value received by making the election would have exceeded the value of property received absent the election.
2000 Acts, ch 1060, §7; 2005 Acts, ch 38, §21; 2006 Acts, ch 1104, §2; 2018 Acts, ch 1041, §127
PART 2
PROCEDURE FOR SETTING OFF

ELECTIVE SHARE

     
633.247  Setting off elective share of surviving spouse.
  The share of the surviving spouse under section 633.236 may be set off by the mutual consent of all parties in interest, or by referees appointed by the court. An application to have the share set off by referees shall be made by an interested party in writing by filing with the clerk of court. A copy of such application shall be sent to all interested parties.
[C51, §1396, 1397; R60, §2427, 2428; C73, §2443, 2444; C97, §3369; S13, §3377; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §11994, 12015; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §636.9, 636.30; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.247]
84 Acts, ch 1080, §5; 88 Acts, ch 1064, §5; 2005 Acts, ch 38, §22
Referred to in §633.253

     
633.248  Referee — notice.
  In the absence of mutual consent of all interested parties to the appointment of referees, the court shall fix a time and place for hearing upon such application and of the fact that referees will be appointed if such application is granted, and shall prescribe the time and manner of the service of notice of the hearing.
[C51, §1398; R60, §2429; C73, §2445; C97, §3370; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §11995; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §636.10; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.248]
2005 Acts, ch 38, §23
Referred to in §633.253

     
633.249  Mode of setting off share in real estate.
  The referees may employ a licensed professional land surveyor, and may cause the shares in real estate to be set off by legally sufficient land descriptions. They shall make a report of their proceedings to the court as early as reasonably possible.
[C51, §1399; R60, §2430; C73, §2446; C97, §3371; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §11996; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §636.11; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.249]
2012 Acts, ch 1009, §33
Referred to in §633.253

     
633.250  Report — delinquency.
  The court may require a report by such a time as it deems reasonable. If the referees fail to obey this or any other of its orders, the court may discharge them and appoint others in their stead, and impose upon the first referees the payment of all costs previously made, unless they show good cause against it.
[C51, §1400; R60, §2431; C73, §2447; C97, §3372; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §11997; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §636.12; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.250]
Referred to in §633.253

     
633.251  Confirmation — new reference.
  The court may set the report for hearing and prescribe the notice to be given to interested parties. The court may confirm the report, or may set it aside and refer the matter to the same or other referees, at its discretion.
[C51, §1401; R60, §2432; C73, §2448; C97, §3373; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §11998; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §636.13; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.251]
Referred to in §633.253

     
633.252  Confirmation conclusive — possession.
  An order confirming a report of the referee shall be binding and conclusive unless appealed within thirty days and the surviving spouse may bring an action to obtain possession of any assets set apart to the surviving spouse. Such elective share constitutes a judgment lien in favor of such surviving spouse against the possessor of such assets.
[C51, §1402; R60, §2433; C73, §2449; C97, §3373; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §11999; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §636.14; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.252]
2005 Acts, ch 38, §24
Referred to in §633.253

     
633.253  Right contested.
  Nothing in sections 633.247 through 633.252 shall prevent any person interested from controverting the right of the surviving spouse to the share thus set apart before confirmation of the report of the referees.
[C51, §1403; R60, §2434; C73, §2450; C97, §3374; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §12000; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §636.15; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.253]

     
633.254  Sale — division of proceeds.
  If it appears to the court, upon application of the personal representative, the surviving spouse, or the report of the referee, that the property, or any part of it, cannot be advantageously divided, the court may order the whole, or any part of such property, sold, and the share of the surviving spouse in the proceeds paid over to the surviving spouse.
[C51, §1404; R60, §2478; C73, §2451; C97, §3375; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §12001; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §636.16; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.254]
Referred to in §633.256, 633.258

     
633.255  Purchase of new homestead.
  In case the homestead is sold, the surviving spouse may use any or all of the spouse’s share to procure a homestead which shall be exempt from liability for all debts from which the former homestead would have been exempt.
[C51, §1406; C73, §2451; C97, §3375; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §12002; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §636.17; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.255]

     
633.256  Security to avoid sale.
  No sale shall be made under section 633.254 if anyone interested gives security to the satisfaction of the court, conditioned to pay the surviving spouse the appraised value of the share with seven percent interest on the same, within such reasonable time as the court may fix, not exceeding one year.
[C51, §1405; C73, §2451; C97, §3375; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §12003; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §636.18; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.256]

     
633.257  Security by surviving spouse.
  If no such arrangement is made, the surviving spouse may keep the property by giving like security to pay the claims of all others interested upon like terms.
[C51, §1405; C73, §2451; C97, §3375; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §12004; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §636.19; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.257]

     
633.258  Sale prohibited.
  Such sale under section 633.254 shall not be ordered so long as those in interest shall express a contrary desire and agree upon some mode of sharing and dividing the rents, profits, or use thereof, or shall consent that the court shall order the division of such rents, profits or use.
[C51, §1405; R60, §2478; C73, §2451; C97, §3375; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §12005; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §636.20; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.258]
633.259 through 633.263Reserved.

SUBCHAPTER VI
WILLS
PART 1
GENERAL PROVISIONS RELATING TO WILLS

     
633.264  Disposal of property by will.
  Subject to the rights of the surviving spouse to take an elective share as provided by section 633.236, any person of full age and sound mind may dispose by will of all the person’s property, except an amount sufficient to pay the debts and charges against the person’s estate.
[C51, §1277, 1407; R60, §2309, 2435; C73, §2322, 2452; C97, §3270, 3376; S13, §3376; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §11846, 12006; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §633.1, 636.21; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.264]
2005 Acts, ch 38, §25; 2006 Acts, ch 1030, §77
Referred to in §726.25

     
633.265  Procedure prescribed by will.
  When the interests of creditors will not thereby be prejudiced, a testator may prescribe the entire manner in which the testator’s estate shall be administered, and, also, the manner in which the testator’s affairs shall be conducted until the testator’s estate is finally settled.
[C51, §1326; R60, §2358; C73, §2406; C97, §3336; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §11955; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §635.51; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.265]
See also §633.172 

     
633.266  Adjusted gross estate.
  Unless otherwise defined, “adjusted gross estate” in a will means the entire value of the gross estate as determined under the federal estate tax less the aggregate amount of the deductions allowed by sections 2053 and 2054 of the Internal Revenue Code as defined in section 422.3.
[82 Acts, ch 1053, §1]
2006 Acts, ch 1140, §9 – 11
Referred to in §633A.1102

     
633.267  Children born or adopted after execution of will.
  1.  If a testator fails to provide in the testator’s will for any child of the testator born to or adopted by the testator after the execution of the testator’s last will, such child, whether born before or after the testator’s death, shall receive a share in the estate of the testator equal in value to that which the child would have received under section 633.219, after taking into account the spouse’s intestate share under section 633.211 or section 633.212, whichever section or sections are applicable, if the testator had died intestate, unless it appears from the will that such omission was intentional.
  2.  a.  For the purposes of this section, a child born after the testator’s death includes a child of the testator conceived and born after the testator’s death, or a child born as the result of the implantation of an embryo after the testator’s death, if all of the following conditions are met:
  (1)  A genetic parent-child relationship between the child and the testator is established. 
  (2)  The testator, in a signed writing, authorized the testator’s surviving spouse to use the deceased parent’s genetic material to initiate the posthumous procedure that resulted in the child’s birth or the testator by specific reference to the genetic material, bequeathed the genetic material to the other parent in a valid will.
  (3)  The child is born within two years of the death of the testator.
  b.  Any child of the testator whose share of the estate would be reduced by the birth of a child born as provided in paragraph “a” shall have one year from the birth of the child within which to bring an action challenging the child’s right to a share of the estate under this section.
  c.  For the purposes of this subsection, “genetic material” means sperm, eggs, or embryos.
[C51, §1284, 1285; R60, §2316, 2317; C73, §2334, 2335; C97, §3279; S13, §3279; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §11858; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §633.13; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.267]
88 Acts, ch 1064, §6; 2008 Acts, ch 1119, §17, 39; 2011 Acts, ch 18, §3
Referred to in §633.477, 633A.3106

     
633.268  Presumption attending devise to spouse.
  Where the testator’s spouse is named as a devisee in a will, it shall be presumed, unless the intent is clear and explicit to the contrary, and except as provided in section 633.272, that such devise is in lieu of the intestate share and homestead rights of the surviving spouse.
[C97, §3270; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §11847; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §633.2; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.268]

     
633.269  After acquired property.
  Any property acquired by the testator after the making of the testator’s will shall pass thereby, and in like manner as if title thereto were vested in the testator at the time of making the will, unless the intent is clear and explicit to the contrary.
[C51, §1278; R60, §2310; C73, §2323; C97, §3271; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §11849; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §633.4; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.269]

     
633.270  Contractual or mutual wills.
  No will shall be construed to be contractual or mutual, unless in such will the testator shall expressly state the intent that such will shall be so construed.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.270]

     
633.271  Effect of divorce or dissolution.
  1.  If after making a will the testator is divorced or the testator’s marriage is dissolved, all provisions in the will in favor of the testator’s spouse or of a relative of the testator’s spouse, including but not limited to dispositions, appointments of property, and nominations to serve in any fiduciary or representative capacity, are revoked by the divorce or dissolution of marriage, unless the will provides otherwise.
  2.  Unless the will provides otherwise, in the event the testator and spouse remarry each other, the provisions of the will revoked by the divorce or dissolution of marriage shall be reinstated unless otherwise revoked by the testator, except for provisions in favor of a person who died prior to the remarriage which shall not be reinstated.
  3.  For the purposes of this section, “relative of the testator’s spouse” means a person who is related to the divorced testator’s former spouse by blood, adoption, or affinity, and who, subsequent to a divorce or dissolution of marriage, ceased to be related to the testator by blood, adoption, or affinity.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.271]
2000 Acts, ch 1150, §3; 2005 Acts, ch 38, §26

     
633.272  Partial intestacy.
  If part but not all of the estate of a decedent is validly disposed of by will, the part not disposed of by will shall be distributed as provided herein for intestate estates. If the testator left a surviving spouse, and the spouse does not take an elective share, the spouse shall receive, in addition to the property given to the spouse by the will, so much of the intestate property subject to the payment of its proportionate share of debts and charges as the spouse would receive pursuant to section 633.211 or 633.212.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.272]
94 Acts, ch 1165, §42; 2007 Acts, ch 134, §12, 28
Referred to in §633.268

     
633.273  Antilapse statute.
  1.  If a devisee dies before the testator, leaving issue who survive the testator, the devisee’s issue who survive the testator shall inherit the property devised to the devisee per stirpes, unless from the terms of the will, the intent is clear and explicit to the contrary.
  2.  A person who would have been a devisee under a class gift, if the person had survived the testator, is treated as a devisee for purposes of this section, provided the person’s death occurred after the execution of the will, unless from the terms of the will, the intent is clear and explicit to the contrary.
[C51, §1287; R60, §2319; C73, §2337; C97, §3281; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §11861; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §633.16; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.273]
89 Acts, ch 130, §1; 95 Acts, ch 63, §5
Referred to in §633.273A, 633.274

     
633.273A  Disposition of failed devise.
  Unless from the terms of the will the intent is clear and explicit to the contrary, and except as provided in section 633.273:
  1.  A devise, other than a residuary devise, that fails for any reason becomes a part of the residuary estate.
  2.  If the residuary estate is devised to two or more persons, the share of a residuary devisee that fails for any reason passes to the other residuary devisee or to the other residuary devisees in proportion to the interest of each in the remaining part of the residuary estate.
2013 Acts, ch 33, §1, 9

     
633.274  Exception to antilapse statute.
  The devise to a spouse of the testator, where the spouse does not survive the testator, shall lapse notwithstanding the provisions of section 633.273, unless from the terms of the will, the intent is clear and explicit to the contrary.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.274]

     
633.275  Testamentary additions to trusts.
  A devise or bequest, the validity of which is determinable by the law of this state, may be made by a will to the trustee of a trust established, or to be established, by the testator, or by the testator and some other person or persons, or by some other person or persons, including a funded or unfunded life insurance trust, although the trustor has reserved some or all rights of ownership of the insurance contracts, if the trust is identified in the testator’s will, and if its terms are set forth in a written instrument other than a will executed before or concurrently with the execution of the testator’s will, or in the valid last will of a person who has predeceased the testator regardless of the existence, size, or character of the corpus of the trust. The devise or bequest is not invalid because the trust is amendable or revocable, or both, or because the trust was amended after the execution of the will or after the death of the testator. Unless the testator’s will provides otherwise, the property so devised or bequeathed shall not be deemed to be held under a testamentary trust of the testator, but shall become a part of the trust to which it is given and shall be administered and disposed of in accordance with the instrument or will setting forth the terms of the trust, including any amendments thereto made before the death of the testator, regardless of whether any such amendment was made before or after the execution of the testator’s will, and, if the testator’s will so provides, including any amendments to the trust made after the death of the testator. A revocation or termination of the trust before the death of the testator causes the devise or bequest to lapse. This section does not invalidate a devise or bequest made by a will executed prior to January 1, 1964.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.275, 633.276; 81 Acts, ch 195, §1]
Referred to in §633.277

     
633.276  Separate identification of bequest.
  A will may refer to a written statement, letter, or list to dispose of items of tangible personal property not otherwise specifically disposed of by the will, except tangible personal property used in trade or business. Tangible personal property, for purposes of this section, includes household goods, furnishings, furniture, personal effects, clothing, jewelry, books, works of art, ornaments, and automobiles. If the writing is dated and is either in the handwriting of the testator or is signed by testator, and if it describes the items and distributees with reasonable certainty, the personal representative shall distribute the described items of tangible personal property to the distributees entitled to them. The writing may be referred to as one to be in existence at the time of the testator’s death. The writing may be prepared before or after the execution of the will. The writing may be altered, added to, or changed in any respect by the testator after its preparation, and it may be a writing which has no significance apart from its effect upon the dispositions made by the will. Property passing by the writing shall be considered as property passing as a specific bequest under will.
[81 Acts, ch 195, §2]
Referred to in §450.4

     
633.277  Uniformity of interpretation.
  Section 633.275 shall be so construed as to effectuate its general purpose to make uniform the law of those states which have adopted a similar provision.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.277]

     
633.278  Devise of encumbered property.
  When any property subject to a mortgage, other lien or security interest, is specifically devised, the devisee shall take such property so devised subject to such mortgage, other lien or security interest, unless the will provides expressly or by necessary implication that such mortgage, other lien or security interest be otherwise paid. If there is a testamentary direction to discharge such mortgage, other lien or security interest, the rules of abatement specified in section 633.436 shall be applied.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.278]
PART 2
EXECUTION AND REVOCATION

  
     
633.279  Signed and witnessed.
  1.  Formal execution.  All wills and codicils, except as provided in section 633.283, to be valid, must be in writing, signed by the testator, or by some person in the testator’s presence and by the testator’s express direction writing the testator’s name thereto, and declared by the testator to be the testator’s will, and witnessed, at the testator’s request, by two competent persons who signed as witnesses in the presence of the testator and in the presence of each other; provided, however, that the validity of the execution of any will or instrument which was executed prior to January 1, 1964, shall be determined by the law in effect immediately prior to said date.
  2.  Self-proved will.
  a.  An attested will may be made self-proved at the time of its execution, or at any subsequent date, by the acknowledgment thereof by the testator and the affidavits of the witnesses, each made before a person authorized to administer oaths and take acknowledgments under the laws of this state, and evidenced by such person’s certificate, under seal, attached or annexed to the will, in form and content substantially as follows:
Affidavit
State of........................            )

County of........................            )  ss

  We, the undersigned, ............................, ............................ and ...................................., the testator and the witnesses, respectively, whose names are signed to the attached or foregoing instrument, being first duly sworn, declare to the undersigned authority that at the date of the instrument, we all knew the identity of each other; the instrument was exhibited to the witnesses by the testator, who declared it to be the testator’s last will and testament and was signed by the testator or by another at the direction of the testator at ................................, in the County of ........................, State of ........................, on the date shown in the instrument, and in the presence of each other as subscribing witnesses; that we, as witnesses, declare to the undersigned authority that in our presence the testator executed and acknowledged such will as the testator’s will and that we, in the testator’s presence, at the testator’s request, and in the presence of each other, did subscribe our names thereto as attesting witnesses on the date of such will; and that the witnesses were sixteen years of age or older.

............................

Testator

............................

Witness

............................

Witness

............................

  Subscribed, sworn and acknowledged before me by ................................, the testator; and subscribed and sworn before me by ................................ and ............................, witnesses, this ............ day of ........................ (month), ............ (year)

          .............................

          Signature of notarial

          officer 

(Stamp)          

          [...................]

          Title of office

          [My commission expires]
  b.  A self-proved will shall constitute proof of due execution of such instrument as required by section 633.293 and may be admitted to probate without testimony of witnesses.
[C51, §1281; R60, §2313; C73, §2326; C97, §3274; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §11852; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §633.7; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.279]
2000 Acts, ch 1058, §56; 2011 Acts, ch 25, §73; 2012 Acts, ch 1050, §57, 60; 2013 Acts, ch 33, §2, 9; 2015 Acts, ch 30, §180
Referred to in §622.1

     
633.280  Competency of witnesses.
  Any person who is sixteen years of age, or older, and who is competent to be a witness generally in this state, may act as an attesting witness to a will.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.280]

     
633.281  Interest of witnesses.
  No will is invalidated because attested by an interested witness; but any interested witness shall, unless the will is also attested by two competent and disinterested witnesses, forfeit so much of the provisions therein made for the interested witness as in the aggregate exceeds in value, as of the date of the decedent’s death, that which the interested witness would have received had the testator died intestate. No attesting witness is interested unless the witness is devised or bequeathed some portion of the testator’s estate.
[C51, §1282, 1283; R60, §2314, 2315; C73, §2327, 2328; C97, §3275; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §11854; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §633.9; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.281]

     
633.282  Defect cured by codicil.
  If a codicil to a defectively executed will is duly executed, and such will is clearly identified in said codicil, the will and the codicil shall be considered as one instrument and the execution of both shall be deemed sufficient.
[C97, §3274; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §11853; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §633.8; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.282]

     
633.283  Will executed in foreign state or country.
  A will executed outside this state, in the mode prescribed by the law, either of the place where executed or of the testator’s domicile, shall be deemed to be legally executed, and shall be of the same force and effect as if executed in the mode prescribed by the laws of this state, provided said will is in writing and subscribed by the testator.
[C97, §3309; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §11893; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §633.49; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.283]
Referred to in §633.279

     
633.284  Revocation — cancellation — revival.
  A will can be revoked in whole or in part only by being canceled or destroyed by the act or direction of the testator, with the intention of revoking it, or by the execution of a subsequent will. When done by cancellation, the revocation must be witnessed in the same manner as the making of a new will. No will, nor any part thereof, which shall be in any manner revoked, or which shall be or become invalid, can be revived otherwise than by a re-execution thereof, or by the execution of another will or codicil in which the revoked or invalid will, or part thereof, is incorporated by reference.
[C51, §1288, 1289; R60, §2320, 2321; C73, §2329, 2330; C97, §3276; S13, §3276; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §11855; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §633.10; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.284]
PART 3
CUSTODY

     
633.285  Custodian — filing — penalty.
  After being informed of the death of the testator, the person having custody of the testator’s will shall deliver it to the court having jurisdiction of the testator’s estate. Every person who willfully refuses or fails to deliver a will after being ordered by the court to do so shall be guilty of contempt of court. The person shall also be liable to any person aggrieved for the damages which may be sustained by such refusal or failure.
[C51, §1291, 1292; R60, §2323, 2324; C73, §2338, 2339; C97, §3282; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §11862; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §633.17; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.285]
Referred to in §633.286

     
633.286  Deposit of will with clerk.
  The clerk shall maintain a file for the safekeeping of wills. There shall be placed therein wills deposited with the clerk by living testators or by persons on their behalf, and wills of deceased testators not accompanied by petitions for the probate thereof, when deposited with the clerk by persons having custody thereof as provided in section 633.285.
[C51, §1290; R60, §2322; C73, §2331; C97, §3277; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §11856; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §633.11; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.286]
Referred to in §633.645

     
633.287  Manner of deposit.
  Every such will shall be enclosed in a sealed wrapper. The clerk shall indorse thereon the name of the testator, the name of the depositor, the date of deposit, and, if provided, the name of the person to be notified of the deposit of such will upon the death of the testator. The clerk shall hold such will until disposed of as provided in section 633.288 or 633.289.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.287]
Referred to in §633.645

     
633.288  Delivery by clerk during lifetime of testator.
  During the lifetime of the testator, such will shall be delivered only to the testator, or to some person authorized by the testator by an order in writing duly acknowledged.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.288]
Referred to in §633.287, 633.645

  
     
633.289  Delivery by clerk after death of testator.
  After being informed of the death of a testator, the clerk shall notify the person, if any, named in the indorsement on the wrapper of said will. If no petition for the probate thereof has been filed within thirty days after the death of the testator, it shall be publicly opened, and the court shall make such orders as it deems appropriate for the disposition of said will. The clerk shall notify the executor named therein and such other persons as the court shall designate of such action. If the proper venue is in another court, the clerk, upon request, shall transmit such will to such court, but before such transmission, the clerk shall make a true copy thereof and retain the same in the clerk’s files.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.289]
Referred to in §633.287, 633.645
PART 4
PROCEDURE FOR PROBATE OF WILLS

     
633.290   Petitions after death of testator.
  1.   After the death of the testator, any interested person may file a verified petition in the district court of the proper county for any of the following:
  a.  To have the will admitted to probate.
  b.  For the appointment of the executor.
  c.  To request a hearing before the will is admitted to probate.
  d.  To request a hearing before the appointment of the executor.
  e.  For the production of the purported will of the decedent to be filed by the person believed by the petitioner to be in possession of the will.
  2.   Petitions for any of the reasons specified in subsection 1 may be combined.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.290]
2013 Acts, ch 30, §192; 2013 Acts, ch 33, §3, 9
Referred to in §635.1

     
633.291  Contents of petition for probate of will.
  A petition for probate of a will shall state:
  1.  The name, domicile, and date of death of the decedent.
  2.  If the decedent was not domiciled in the state at the time of the decedent’s death, then, that the decedent had property within the county in which the petition is filed, or any other basis for jurisdiction in such county.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.291]

     
633.292  Contents of petition for appointment of executor.
  A petition for the appointment of an executor shall state the name and address of the person nominated or proposed as executor, and that such person is qualified to act as executor. If the person proposed in said petition is not the person nominated in the will, the petition shall state the reason why the person nominated is not proposed as executor. Unless bond is waived in the will, the petition shall state the estimated value of the personal property of the estate plus the estimated gross annual income of the estate during the period of administration.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.292]

     
633.293  Hearing upon petition.
  Upon the filing of a petition for probate of a will, the court or the clerk may, in its or the clerk’s discretion, hear it forthwith, or at such time and place as the court or clerk may direct, with or without requiring notice, and upon proof of due execution of the will, admit the same to probate.
[C51, §1294; R60, §2326; C73, §2341; C97, §3284; S13, §3284; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §11865; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §633.20; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.293]
Referred to in §633.279

     
633.294  Order of preference for appointment of executor.
  Letters testamentary may be granted to one or more persons found to be qualified. Preference for appointment shall be in the following order:
  1.  The person designated in the will;
  2.  Any beneficiary named in the will, or a person nominated by the beneficiaries;
  3.  Any creditor of the deceased, or a person nominated by such creditor;
  4.  Such other person as the court may find to be qualified.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.294]

  
     
633.295  Testimony of witnesses.
  The proof may be made by the oral or written testimony of one or more of the subscribing witnesses to the will. If such testimony is in writing, it shall be substantially in the following form executed and sworn to before or after the death of the decedent:
In the District Court of Iowa

in and for .................... County.
  In the Matter of               Probate No. ................

  the Estate of               TESTIMONY OF SUBSCRIBING

  ........................, Deceased               WITNESS ON

  State of ............  )               PROBATE OF WILL

  ............ County  )  ss

  I, ........................, being first duly sworn, state:

  I reside in the County of ...................., State of ................; I knew the identity of the testator on the ........ day of ............ (month), ............ (year), the date of the instrument, the original or exact reproduction of which is attached hereto, now shown to me, and purporting to be the last will and testament of the said ........................; I am one of the subscribing witnesses to said instrument; at the said date of said instrument, I knew the identity of ........................, the other subscribing witness; that said instrument was exhibited to me and to the other subscribing witness by the testator, who declared the same to be the testator’s last will and testament, and was signed by the testator at ................................, in the County of ...................., State of ................, on the date shown in said instrument, in the presence of myself and the other subscribing witness; and the other subscribing witness and I then and there, at the request of the testator, in the presence of said testator and in the presence of each other, subscribed our names thereto as witnesses.

........................ 

Name of Witness

................................ 

Address

  Subscribed and sworn to before me this ........ day of ............ (month), ............ (year)

                 ................................

                 Signature of notarial officer

(Stamp)

                 [........................]

                 Title of office

                 [My commission expires: ........]

[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.295]
2000 Acts, ch 1058, §56; 2012 Acts, ch 1050, §58, 60; 2013 Acts, ch 33, §4, 9; 2014 Acts, ch 1021, §1, 4 – 6; 2016 Acts, ch 1073, §172
Referred to in §633.296, 633.319

     
633.296  Deposition.
  If it is desired to prove the execution of the will by deposition, rather than by use of the affidavit form provided in section 633.295, upon application, the clerk shall issue a commission to some officer authorized by the law of this state to take depositions, with the will annexed, and the officer taking the deposition shall exhibit it to the witness for identification, and, when identified by the witness, shall mark it as “Exhibit ............” and cause the witness to connect the witness’ identification with it as such exhibit. Before sending out the commission, the clerk shall make and retain in the clerk’s office a true copy of such will.
[C97, §3285; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §11866; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §633.21; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.296]

     
633.297  Witnesses unavailable.
  If all of such witnesses are deceased or otherwise not available, then it shall be permissible to prove said will by the sworn testimony of two credible disinterested witnesses that the signature to the will is in the handwriting of the person whose will it purports to be, and that the signatures of the witnesses are in the handwriting of such witnesses, or it may be proved by other sufficient evidence of the execution of such will.
[C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §633.22; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.297]
Other evidence, proof, §622.24 

     
633.298  Order admitting or disallowing probate of will.
  The court or the clerk shall enter an order either admitting said will to probate, or disallowing probate because of insufficient proof thereof.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.298]

     
633.299  Order appointing executor.
  If a petition for appointment of an executor has been filed, the order admitting the will to probate shall include appointment of an executor thereof, unless the court or clerk shall determine that no appointment should be made at such time.
[C51, §1299, 1302; R60, §2331, 2334; C73, §2332, 2333; C97, §3278; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §11857; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §633.12; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.299]

     
633.300  Certificate of probate.
  When a will has been admitted to probate the clerk shall have a certificate of such fact, endorsed thereon or annexed thereto, signed by the clerk and attested by the seal of the court; and, when so certified, it, or the transcript of the record properly authenticated, may be read in evidence in all courts without further proof.
[C51, §1300; R60, §2332; C73, §2342; C97, §3286; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §11867; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §633.23; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.300]
93 Acts, ch 70, §13
Referred to in §633.301

     
633.301  Copy of will for executor.
  When a will has been admitted to probate and certified pursuant to section 633.300, the clerk shall cause a certified copy thereof to be placed in the hands of the executor to whom letters are issued. The clerk shall retain the will in a separate file provided for that purpose until the time for contest has expired, and promptly thereafter shall place it with the files of the estate.
[C51, §1295, 1298; R60, §2327, 2330; C73, §2343, 2344; C97, §3287; S13, §3287; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §11868; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §633.24; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.301]
93 Acts, ch 70, §14; 2003 Acts, ch 151, §53
Referred to in §633.302

     
633.302  Clerk filing copies of will.
  When the clerk places an original will in a separate file as provided in section 633.301, the clerk shall place and keep a true copy of such will in the probate file containing the proceedings in the estate which it governs.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.302]

  
     
633.303  Charitable trusts — copy of wills to attorney general.  Repealed by 
2009 Acts, ch 35, §3
.  See §633A.5107 and 633A.5108. 

  
     
633.304  Notice of probate of will with administration.
  1.  As used in this section, “heir” means only such person as would, in an intestate estate, be entitled to a share under section 633.219.
  2.  On admission of a will to probate, the executor, as soon as letters are issued, shall cause notice to be published once each week for two consecutive weeks in a daily or weekly newspaper of general circulation published in the county in which the estate is pending. At any time during the pendency of administration that the executor has knowledge of the name and address of a person believed to own or possess a claim which will not or may not be paid or otherwise satisfied during administration, the executor shall provide notice by ordinary mail to each such claimant at the claimant’s last known address. The executor shall also, as soon as practicable give notice, except to any executor, by ordinary mail to the surviving spouse, each heir of the decedent, and each devisee under the will admitted to probate whose identities are reasonably ascertainable, at such persons’ last known addresses, of admission of the will to probate and of the appointment of the executor. In the notice shall be included a notice that any action to set aside the probate of the will must be brought within the later to occur of four months from the date of the second publication of the notice or one month from the date of mailing of this notice or thereafter be forever barred, a notice to debtors to make payment, and a notice to creditors having claims against the estate to file them with the clerk within four months from the second publication of the notice, or thereafter be forever barred.
  3.  The notice shall be substantially in the following form:
In the District Court of Iowa

in and for .................... County.
               Probate No. ................

  In the Estate of               NOTICE OF PROBATE OF WILL,

  ...................., Deceased                OF APPOINTMENT OF 

               EXECUTOR, AND

               NOTICE TO CREDITORS

  To All Persons Interested in the Estate of ........................, Deceased, who died on or about ................ (date):

  You are hereby notified that on the ........ day of ............ (month), ............ (year), the last will and testament of ........................, deceased, bearing the date of the ........ day of ............ (month), ............ (year), was admitted to probate in the above-named court and that ........................ was appointed executor of the estate. Any action to set aside the will must be brought in the district court of said county within the later to occur of four months from the date of the second publication of this notice or one month from the date of mailing of this notice to all heirs of the decedent and devisees under the will whose identities are reasonably ascertainable, or thereafter be forever barred.

  Notice is further given that all persons indebted to the estate are requested to make immediate payment to the undersigned, and creditors having claims against the estate shall file them with the clerk of the above-named district court, as provided by law, duly authenticated, for allowance, and, unless so filed by the later to occur of four months from the date of second publication of this notice or one month from the date of mailing of this notice (unless otherwise allowed or paid), a claim is thereafter forever barred.

  Dated this ........ day of ............ (month), ............ (year)

........................

Executor of estate

................................

Address

........................

Attorney for executor

................................

Address

Date of second publication

........ day of ............ (month), ............ (year)

  (Date to be inserted by publisher)

[C51, §1357, 1358; R60, §2389, 2390; C73, §2366; C97, §3304; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §11890; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §633.46; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.304]
84 Acts, ch 1080, §6; 89 Acts, ch 35, §3; 93 Acts, ch 111, §3; 2000 Acts, ch 1058, §67; 2000 Acts, ch 1150, §4; 2002 Acts, ch 1119, §98; 2013 Acts, ch 90, §217; 2014 Acts, ch 1092, §137; 2015 Acts, ch 30, §181; 2016 Acts, ch 1073, §173
Referred to in §590.1, 633.230, 633.305, 633A.3109, 633A.3111, 635.13

  
     
633.304A  Notice of probate of will — medical assistance claims.
  1.  On admission of a will to probate, the executor shall, in accordance with section 633.410, provide by electronic transmission on a form approved by the department of human services to the entity designated by the department of human services, a notice of admission of the will to probate and of the appointment of the executor, which shall include a notice to file claims with the clerk or to provide electronic notification to the executor that the department has no claim within six months of sending this notice, or thereafter be forever barred.
  2.  The notice shall be in substantially the following form:
In the District Court of Iowa

in and for .................... County.
               Probate No. ................

  In the Estate of               NOTICE OF PROBATE OF WILL,

  ...................., Deceased               OF APPOINTMENT OF

               EXECUTOR, AND

               NOTICE TO CREDITORS

  To the Department of Human Services, Who May Be Interested in the Estate of ...................., Deceased, who died on or about ........................ (date):

  You are hereby notified that on the ........ day of ............(month), ............(year), the last will and testament of ........................, deceased, bearing date of the ........ day of ............ (month), ............ (year) was admitted to probate in the above-named court and that ........................ was appointed executor of the estate.

  You are further notified that the birthdate of the deceased is ............ and the deceased’s social security number is ...-...-.... The name of the spouse is ........................ The birthdate of the spouse is ............ and the spouse’s social security number is ...-...-...., and that the spouse of the deceased is alive as of the date of this notice, or deceased as of .................... (date).

  You are further notified that the deceased was/was not a disabled or a blind child of the medical assistance recipient by the name of ........................, who had a birthdate of ................ and a social security number of ...-...-...., and the medical assistance debt of that medical assistance recipient was waived pursuant to section 249A.53, subsection 2, paragraph “a”, subparagraph (1), and is now collectible from this estate pursuant to section 249A.53, subsection 2, paragraph “b”.

  Notice is hereby given that if the department of human services has a claim against the estate for the deceased person or persons named in this notice, the claim shall be filed with the clerk of the above-named district court, as provided by law, duly authenticated, for allowance within six months from the date of sending this notice and, unless otherwise allowed or paid, the claim is thereafter forever barred. If the department does not have a claim, the department shall return the notice to the executor with notification that the department does not have a claim within six months from the date of sending this notice.

  Dated this ........ day of ............ (month), ............ (year)

........................

Executor of estate

................................

Address

........................

Attorney for executor

................................

Address

2001 Acts, ch 109, §2; 2002 Acts, ch 1119, §99; 2007 Acts, ch 134, §13; 2010 Acts, ch 1137, §5; 2016 Acts, ch 1073, §174
Referred to in §633.410, 635.13

  
     
633.305  Notice if no administration.
  1.  On admission of a will to probate without administration of the estate, the proponent shall cause to be published, in the manner prescribed in section 633.304, a notice of the admission of the will to probate. As soon as practicable following the admission of the will to probate, the proponent shall give notice of the admission of the will to probate by ordinary mail addressed to the surviving spouse, each heir of the decedent, and each devisee under the will admitted to probate whose identities are reasonably ascertainable, at such persons’ last known addresses. The notice of the admission of the will to probate shall include a notice that any action to set aside the will must be brought within the later to occur of four months from the date of the second publication of the notice or one month from the date of mailing of this notice, or thereafter be barred.
  2.  As used in this section, “heir” means only such person as would, in an intestate estate, be entitled to a share under section 633.219.
  3.  The notice shall be substantially in the following form:
In the District Court of Iowa

in and for .................... County.
               Probate No. ................

  In the Estate of               NOTICE OF PROOF OF WILL

  ...................., Deceased               WITHOUT ADMINISTRATION

  To All Persons Interested in the Estate of ...................., Deceased, who died on or about ........................ (date):

  You are hereby notified that on the ........ day of ............ (month), ............ (year), the last will and testament of ...................., deceased, bearing date of the ........ day of ............ (month), ............ (year), was admitted to probate in the above-named court and there will be no present administration of the estate. Any action to set aside the will must be brought in the district court of the county within the later to occur of four months from the date of the second publication of this notice or one month from the date of mailing of this notice to all heirs of the decedent and devisees under the will whose identities are reasonably ascertainable, or thereafter be forever barred.

  Dated this ........ day of ............ (month), ............ (year)

....................

Proponent

....................

Attorney for estate

....................

Address

Date of second publication

........ day of ............ (month), ............ (year)

  (Date to be inserted by publisher)

[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.305]
84 Acts, ch 1080, §7; 89 Acts, ch 35, §4; 93 Acts, ch 111, §4; 2000 Acts, ch 1058, §68; 2000 Acts, ch 1150, §5; 2002 Acts, ch 1119, §100; 2006 Acts, ch 1129, §11; 2008 Acts, ch 1032, §85; 2016 Acts, ch 1073, §175
Referred to in §590.1, 633.230

  
     
633.306  Record in foreign county.
  Whenever it shall appear that the testator died seized of real estate located in a county of this state other than that in which probate is granted, a complete transcript, properly authenticated, of the record entry of the order of court admitting the will to probate, and, if a copy of such will is not contained therein, a certified copy of such will shall be attached thereto, and the same shall be filed by the clerk in the office of the clerk of the district court in such other county, who shall cause the same to be entered in the probate docket, and said transcript shall be recorded in full in the electronic record kept for the recording of wills in such county. When so recorded, such record may be read in evidence in all courts without further proof.
[S13, §3287; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §11869; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §633.25; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.306]
2018 Acts, ch 1027, §5, 8
See also §633.401 

     
633.307  Costs of transcript.
  The cost of such transcript and of the recording thereof shall be taxed against the estate of the decedent unless administration thereof is closed, in which event it shall be paid by the owner of the real estate involved.
[S13, §3287; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §11870; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §633.26; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.307]
PART 5
ACTIONS TO SET ASIDE OR

CONTEST OF WILLS

     
633.308  Setting aside probate of will.
  Any interested person may petition to set aside the probate of a will by filing a written petition in the probate proceedings. The petition for such purpose shall state the grounds therefor.
[C51, §1297; R60, §2329; C73, §2353; C97, §3296; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §11882; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §633.38; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.308]

     
633.309  Time within which action must be commenced.
  An action to contest or set aside the probate of a will must be commenced in the court in which the will was admitted to probate within the later to occur of four months from the date of second publication of notice of admission of the will to probate or one month following the mailing of the notice to all heirs of the decedent and devisees under the will whose identities are reasonably ascertainable, at such persons’ last known addresses.
[C51, §1659; R60, §1075, 1865, 2740; C73, §486, 2529; C97, §3447; S13, §2963-g, 3447; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §11007; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §614.1(3); C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.309]
84 Acts, ch 1080, §8; 89 Acts, ch 35, §5

  
     
633.310  Objections prior to admission of will to probate.
  Nothing contained in this part shall prevent any interested person from filing objections to probate of a proposed will prior to admission of the will to probate. If such objections are filed prior to the admission of the will to probate, the will shall not be admitted to probate pending trial and determination as to whether or not the instrument is the last will of the decedent.
[C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §11833; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §632.2; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.310]
2020 Acts, ch 1063, §342

     
633.311  Contest or objection shall be tried as a law action.
  An action objecting to the probate of a proffered will, or to set aside a will, is triable in the probate court as an action at law, and the rules of civil procedure governing law actions, including demand for jury trial, shall be applicable thereto.
[C97, §3283; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §11864; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §633.19; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.311]

     
633.312  Joinder of parties.
  In all actions to contest or set aside a will, all known interested parties who have not joined with the contestants as plaintiffs in the action, shall be joined with proponents as defendants. When additional interested parties become known, the court shall order them brought in as party defendants. All such defendants shall be brought in by serving them with notice pursuant to the rules of civil procedure.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.312]

     
633.313  Election of defendants to join with contestants.
  Any person named as a defendant in an action to contest or set aside a will may, at time of appearance, or by leave of court at any time thereafter, elect to join with the contestants.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.313]

     
633.314  Taxation of costs.
  The court shall tax the costs in an action to contest or set aside a will. No costs shall be taxed against a losing party who has been joined in the action but who does not appear.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.314]

     
633.315  Allowance for defending will.
  When any person is designated as executor in a will, or has been appointed as executor, and defends or prosecutes any proceedings in good faith and with just cause, whether successful or not, that person shall be allowed out of the estate necessary expenses and disbursements, including reasonable attorney fees in such proceedings.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.315]

     
633.316  Notice to devisees in other wills.
  If the ground of objection is that another will of the decedent has been discovered, each devisee named in such other will shall be joined in the action.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.316]

     
633.317  Where will is filed after letters of administration have been granted.
  If, after letters of administration have been granted, a will of the decedent is admitted to probate, such letters of administration are thereby revoked, and the person to whom such letters were issued shall promptly file a final report and make an accounting to the court.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.317]

     
633.318  Where will is filed after letters testamentary have been granted.
  If, after a will has been admitted to probate, another instrument purporting to be the will of the decedent, which has not been previously presented for probate, is filed, the court shall determine whether or not the former grant of letters should be revoked pending determination of which instrument constitutes the will of the decedent.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.318]

     
633.319  Proof of execution.
  If the lack of the due execution of a will constitutes a ground for objection, proof of such execution shall not be made by affidavit as provided in section 633.295.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.319]

     
633.320  Declaratory judgment to determine last will.
  The executor or any person named as a beneficiary in a will may bring an action for a declaratory judgment to have such will declared to be the last will of the decedent. In such action, all known interested persons, including heirs of the decedent and persons named as beneficiaries in said instrument and other known instruments purporting to be wills of the decedent, shall be joined as parties.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.320]
633.321 through 633.329Reserved.

SUBCHAPTER VII
ADMINISTRATION OF ESTATES OF DECEDENTS
PART 1
GENERAL PROVISIONS —

LIMITATION

     
633.330  Character of proceedings.
  The administration of the estate of a decedent from the filing of the petition for probate and admission or for administration until the order approving the final report and discharge of the last personal representative shall be considered as one proceeding for purposes of jurisdiction. Such entire proceeding is a proceeding in rem.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.330]
Referred to in §633.515, 635.7

  
     
633.331  Limitation of administration.
  Probate of a will, original administration of an intestate estate, or ancillary administration of an estate, shall not be granted after five years from the death of the decedent, whether the decedent died within or without this state, unless a petition for probate or administration is filed prior to the expiration of the five-year period.
[C51, §1325; R60, §2357; C73, §2367; C97, §3305; S13, §3305; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §11891; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §633.47; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.331; 81 Acts, ch 196, §1; 82 Acts, ch 1076, §1]
2020 Acts, ch 1063, §343
EXEMPT PROPERTY AND INSURANCE

     
633.332  Exempt personal property.
  When the decedent left a surviving spouse, all personal property which in the hands of the decedent as head of a family would be exempt from execution, which is bequeathed or set aside to the surviving spouse in accordance with the provisions of this chapter, shall be exempt in the hands of such surviving spouse as in the hands of the decedent.
[C51, §1329; R60, §2361; C73, §2371; C97, §3312; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §11918; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §635.7; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.332]

     
633.333  Proceeds of insurance.
  The avails of any life or accident insurance, or other sum of money made payable to the decedent’s estate by any mutual aid or benevolent society upon the death or disability of a member thereof, are not subject to the debts of the decedent, except by contract or by express provision in the will, and shall be disposed of like other property left by the decedent.
[C51, §1330; R60, §2362; C73, §1182, 2372; C97, §3313; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §11919; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §635.8; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.333]
Referred to in §633.335

     
633.334  Surviving spouse included as “heir”.
  The words “heirs” and “legal heirs”, and other equivalent words used to designate the beneficiaries in any life insurance policy or certificate of membership in any mutual aid or benevolent association, where no contrary intention is expressed in such instrument, shall be construed to include the surviving husband or wife of the insured.
[C97, §3313; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §11921; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §635.10; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.334]
Referred to in §633.335

  
     
633.335  Share of survivor.
  The share of a survivor in the proceeds of a policy or certificate made payable as provided in sections 633.333 and 633.334 shall be the same as that provided by law for the distribution of the personal property of intestates.
[C97, §3313; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §11922; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §635.11; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.335]
2020 Acts, ch 1063, §344
WRONGFUL DEATH

     
633.336  Damages for wrongful death.
  When a wrongful act produces death, damages recovered as a result of the wrongful act shall be disposed of as personal property belonging to the estate of the deceased; however, if the damages include damages for loss of services and support of a deceased spouse, parent, or child, the damages shall be apportioned by the court among the surviving spouse, children, and parents of the decedent in a manner as the court may deem equitable consistent with the loss of services and support sustained by the surviving spouse, children, and parents respectively. Any recovery by a parent for the death of a child shall be subordinate to the recovery, if any, of the spouse or a child of the decedent. If the decedent leaves a spouse, child, or parent, damages for wrongful death shall not be subject to debts and charges of the decedent’s estate, except for amounts to be paid to the department of human services for payments made for medical assistance pursuant to chapter 249A, paid on behalf of the decedent from the time of the injury which gives rise to the decedent’s death up until the date of the decedent’s death.
[R60, §4111; C73, §2526; C97, §3313; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §11920; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §635.9; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.336]
89 Acts, ch 111, §2; 2007 Acts, ch 132, §2, 3
633.337 through 633.341Reserved.
PART 2
TEMPORARY ADMINISTRATION

     
633.342  Appointment of temporary administrator pending administration.
  1.  When, from any cause, probate of a will or administration cannot be immediately granted, a temporary administrator may be appointed to collect, manage, preserve and dispose of the property of the deceased, as the court may prescribe, and no appeal from such appointment shall prevent the administrator’s proceeding in the discharge of the administrator’s duties.
  2.  Such temporary administrator shall make and file an inventory of the property of the deceased in the same manner as is required of personal representative, and shall preserve such property from injury, and may do all needful acts under the direction of the court, including the sale of property and the payment of claims as directed by the court. Upon the granting of administration, the powers of the temporary administrator shall cease, and the administration of the estate shall be transferred to the personal representative to whom letters are granted.
[C51, §1320 – 1324; R60, §2352 – 2356; C73, §2357 – 2361; C97, §3299, 3300; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §11885, 11886; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §633.41, 633.42; C66, §633.342, 633.343; C71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.342]

     
633.343  Appointment of temporary administrator during administration.
  At any time during the administration of an estate, the court, for good cause shown, may appoint a temporary administrator to carry out such orders of the court as may be necessary for the proper administration of such estate. No appeal from such appointment shall prevent the temporary administrator from proceeding in the discharge of the administrator’s duties.
[C71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.343]
633.344 through 633.347Reserved.
PART 3
TITLE AND POSSESSION

OF DECEDENT’S PROPERTY

     
633.348  Right to retain existing property.
  Notwithstanding the provisions of chapter 633A, subchapter IV, part 3, of this chapter, any personal representative may continue to hold any investment or property originally received by the personal representative and also any increase thereof.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.348]
99 Acts, ch 125, §106, 109; 2005 Acts, ch 38, §55

     
633.349  Security to sustain devise or bequest.
  When a person by will makes such a disposition of the person’s property as to prejudice the rights of creditors, the will may be sustained, by giving security to the satisfaction of the court for the payment of the debts and charges to the extent of the value of the property devised.
[C51, §1339; R60, §2371; C73, §2384; C97, §3320; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §11930; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §635.19; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.349]

     
633.350  Title to decedent’s estate — when property passes — possession and control thereof — liability for administration expenses, debts, and family allowance.
  Except as otherwise provided in this probate code, when a person dies, the title to the person’s property, real and personal, passes to the person to whom it is devised by the person’s last will, or, in the absence of such disposition, to the persons who succeed to the estate as provided in this probate code, but all of the property shall be subject to the possession of the personal representative as provided in section 633.351 and to the control of the court for the purposes of administration, sale, or other disposition under the provisions of law, and such property, except homestead and other exempt property, shall be chargeable with the payment of debts and charges of the estate. There shall be no priority as between real and personal property, except as provided in this probate code or by the will of the decedent. If real property is titled at any time in a decedent’s estate, such property shall be treated as titled in the name of the personal representative of the estate.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.350]
2005 Acts, ch 38, §51; 2009 Acts, ch 52, §6, 14; 2012 Acts, ch 1123, §5

     
633.351  Possession of real and personal property.
  During the period of administration, the personal representative shall take possession of the decedent’s real estate, except the homestead and other property exempt to the surviving spouse. Every personal representative shall take possession of all the personal property of the decedent, except the property exempt to the surviving spouse. The personal representative may maintain an action for the possession of such real and personal property or to determine the title to any property of the decedent. Until property is distributed, the personal representative shall take reasonable steps to safeguard such property, pay any expenses related to such property, and collect any income generated by such property. Unless otherwise provided by the decedent’s will, all such expenses shall be paid from the residuary estate and all such income shall be considered a part of the residuary estate.
[C51, §1327; R60, §2359; C73, §2402 – 2404, 2407; C97, §3333, 3334, 3337; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §11952, 11953, 11956; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §635.48, 635.49, 635.52; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.351]
2012 Acts, ch 1123, §6
Referred to in §633.350

  
     
633.352  Collection of rents and payment of taxes and charges.
  Unless otherwise provided by the will, the provisions of chapter 637 that conflict with this subchapter VII, part 3, shall not apply to the allocation and distribution of estate income.
[C73, §2403 – 2405; C97, §3334, 3335; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §11953, 11954; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §635.49, 635.50; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.352]
99 Acts, ch 124, §31; 2012 Acts, ch 1123, §7; 2013 Acts, ch 30, §164; 2018 Acts, ch 1041, §127

     
633.353  Surrender of possession upon application by personal representative.
  Upon application by the personal representative, and after such notice, if any, as the court may prescribe, for good cause shown, the court may enter an order authorizing said personal representative to surrender any of such property to the person or persons who, under the will or under the rules of intestate succession, will ultimately be entitled to such property.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.353]

     
633.354  Surrender of possession upon application by any interested person.
  Upon application of any interested person and after such notice to the personal representative and to such other persons, if any, as the court may prescribe, and for good cause shown, the court may enter an order authorizing said personal representative to surrender any of such property to the person or persons who, under the will or under the rules of intestate succession, will ultimately be entitled to such property. The court may require a bond or other security conditioned as it may determine in connection with the delivery of such property.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.354]

     
633.355  Delivery of specific devise after twelve months.
  Unless the court, for cause shown, determines that the possession of the personal representative shall continue for a longer period, the personal representative shall deliver all specifically devised property to the devisees entitled thereto after the expiration of twelve months from the date of appointment of the personal representative. This section shall not preclude the court from directing that such delivery be made before such period has expired, nor shall the personal representative be prevented from delivering such property at an earlier time.
[C51, §1381 – 1383; R60, §2413 – 2415; C73, §2429 – 2431; C97, §3355 – 3357; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §11978 – 11980; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §635.73 – 635.75; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.355]
2012 Acts, ch 1123, §8

  
     
633.356  Distribution of property by affidavit — very small estates.
  1.  When the gross value of the decedent’s personal property that would otherwise be distributed by will or intestate succession is or has been, at any time since the decedent’s death, fifty thousand dollars or less and there is no real property or the real property passes to persons exempt from inheritance tax as joint tenants with full rights of survivorship, and if forty days have elapsed since the death of the decedent, a successor as defined in subsection 2 may, by furnishing an affidavit prepared pursuant to subsection 3 or 8, and without procuring letters of appointment, do any of the following with respect to one or more items of such personal property:
  a.  Receive any item of tangible personal property of the decedent.
  b.  Have any evidence of a debt, obligation, interest, right, security, or chose in action belonging to the decedent transferred.
  c.  Collect the proceeds from any life insurance policy or any other item of property for which a beneficiary has not been designated.
  2.  “Successor” means:
  a.  If the decedent died testate, the reasonably ascertainable beneficiary or beneficiaries who succeeded to the item of property under the decedent’s will. For the purposes of this subsection, the trustee of a trust created during the decedent’s lifetime is a beneficiary under the decedent’s will if the trust succeeds to the property under the decedent’s will.
  b.  If the decedent died intestate, the reasonably ascertainable person or persons who succeeded to the property under the laws of intestate succession of this state.
  c.  If the decedent received medical assistance benefits from the state, the Iowa Medicaid agency that provided the benefits is a successor pursuant to subsection 8.
  3.  a.  To collect money, receive tangible personal property, or have evidences of intangible personal property transferred under this section, a successor shall furnish to the holder of the decedent’s property an affidavit under penalty of perjury stating all of the following:
  (1)  The decedent’s name, social security number, and date and place of death.
  (2)  That at least forty days have elapsed since the death of the decedent, as shown by an attached certified copy of the death certificate of the decedent.
  (3)  That the gross value of the decedent’s personal property that would otherwise be distributed by will or intestate succession is, or has been at any time since the decedent’s death, fifty thousand dollars or less and there is no real property or the real property passes to persons exempt from inheritance tax as joint tenants with full rights of survivorship.
  (4)  A general description of the property of the decedent that is to be paid, transferred, or delivered to or for the benefit of each successor.
  (5)  The name, address, tax identification number and relationship to the decedent of each successor, and whether any successor is under a legal disability.
  (6)  If applicable pursuant to subsection 2, paragraph “a”, that the attached copy of the decedent’s will is the last will of the decedent and has been delivered to the office of a clerk of the district court in accordance with Iowa law.
  (7)  That no persons other than the successors listed in the affidavit have a right to the interest of the decedent in the described property.
  (8)  That the affiant requests that the described property be paid, delivered, or transferred to or for the benefit of each successor.
  (9)  That no debt is owed to the department of human services for reimbursement of Medicaid benefits; or if debt is owed, that the debt will be paid to the extent of funds received pursuant to the affidavit.
  (10)  That no inheritance or other taxes are owed to the department of revenue, or if taxes are owed, that the taxes will be paid to the extent of funds received pursuant to the affidavit.
  (11)  That creditors, if any, will be paid to the extent of funds received pursuant to the affidavit.
  (12)  That the affiant affirms under penalty of perjury that the affidavit is true and correct.
  b.  If there are two or more successors, any of the successors may execute an affidavit under this subsection.
  4.  a.  If the decedent had evidence of ownership of the property described in the affidavit and the holder of the property would have the right to require presentation of the evidence of ownership before the duty of the holder to pay, deliver, or transfer the property to the decedent would have arisen, the evidence of the ownership, if available, shall be presented with the affidavit to the holder of the decedent’s property.
  b.  If the evidence of ownership is not presented to the holder of the property, the holder may require, as a condition for the payment, delivery, or transfer of the property, that the affiant provide the holder with a bond in a reasonable amount determined by the holder to be sufficient to indemnify the holder against all liability, claims, demands, loss, damages, costs, and expenses that the holder may incur or suffer by reason of the payment, delivery, or transfer of the property. This subsection does not preclude the holder and the affiant from dispensing with the requirement that a bond be provided, and instead entering into an agreement satisfactory to the holder concerning the duty of the affiant to indemnify the holder.
  c.  Judgments rendered by any court in this state and mortgages belonging to a decedent whose personal property is being distributed pursuant to this section may, without prior order of court, be released, discharged, or assigned, in whole or in part, as to any property, and deeds may be executed in performance of real estate contracts entered into by the decedent, where an affidavit made pursuant to subsection 3 or 8 is filed in the office of the county recorder of the county wherein any judgment, mortgage, or real estate contract appears of record.
  5.  Reasonable proof of the identity of each successor seeking distribution by virtue of the affidavit shall be provided to the satisfaction of the holder of the decedent’s property.
  6.  a.  If the requirements of this section are satisfied:
  (1)  The property described in the affidavit shall be paid, delivered, or transferred to or for the benefit of each successor.
  (2)  A transfer agent of a security described in the affidavit shall change registered ownership on the books of the corporation from the decedent to or for the benefit of each successor.
  (3)  The holder of the property may return the attached certified copy of the decedent’s death certificate to the affiant.
  b.  If the holder of the decedent’s property refuses to pay, deliver, or transfer any property or evidence thereof to or for the benefit of the successor within a reasonable time, a successor may recover the property or compel its payment, delivery, or transfer in an action brought for that purpose against the holder of the property. If an action is brought against the holder under this subsection, the court shall award attorney fees to the person bringing the action if the court finds that the holder of the decedent’s property acted unreasonably in refusing to pay, deliver, or transfer the property to or for the benefit of the successor as required by this subsection.
  7.  a.  If the requirements of this section are satisfied, receipt by the holder of the decedent’s property of the affidavit under subsection 3 or 8 constitutes sufficient acquittance for the payment of money, delivery of property, or transferring the registered ownership of property pursuant to this section and discharges the holder from any further liability with respect to the money or property. The holder may rely in good faith on the statements in the affidavit and has no duty to inquire into the truth of any statement in the affidavit.
  b.  If the requirements of this section are satisfied, the holder is not liable for any debt owed by the decedent by reason of paying money, delivering property, or transferring registered ownership of property pursuant to this section. If an action is brought against the holder under this section, the court shall award attorney fees to the holder if the court finds that the holder acted reasonably in paying, delivering, or transferring the property as required by this section.
  8.  a.  If an affidavit, executed under this section for a deceased distributee of an estate being administered in this state, is filed with the clerk of the district court in which the estate is being administered, the court shall direct the personal representative to pay the money or deliver the property to or for the benefit of each successor to the extent the court determines that the deceased distributee would have been entitled to money or property of the estate.
  b.  When the department of human services is entitled to money or property of a decedent pursuant to section 249A.53, subsection 2, and no affidavit has been presented by a successor as defined in subsection 2, paragraph “a” or “b”, within ninety days of the date of the decedent’s death, the funds in the account or other property, up to the amount of the claim of the department, shall be paid to the department upon presentation by the department or an entity designated by the department of an affidavit to the holder of the decedent’s property. Such affidavit shall include the information specified in subsection 3, except that the department may submit proof of payment of funeral expenses as verification of the decedent’s death instead of a certified copy of the decedent’s death certificate. The amount of the department’s claim shall also be included in the affidavit, which shall entitle the department to receive the funds as a successor. The department shall issue a refund within sixty days to any claimant with a superior priority pursuant to section 633.425, if notice of such claim is given to the department, or to the entity designated by the department to receive notice, within one year of the department’s receipt of funds. This paragraph shall apply to funds or property of the decedent transferred to the custody of the treasurer of state as unclaimed property pursuant to chapter 556.
  9.  Upon receipt of an affidavit under subsection 3 and reasonable proof under subsection 5 of the identity of each successor seeking distribution by virtue of the affidavit, the holder of the property shall disclose to the affiant whether the value of the property held by the holder is, or has been at any time since the decedent’s death, fifty thousand dollars or less. An affidavit furnished for the purpose of determining whether the value of the property is, or has been at any time since the decedent’s death, fifty thousand dollars or less need not contain the language required under subsection 3, paragraph “a”, subparagraph (3), but shall state that the affiant reasonably believes that the gross value of the decedent’s personal property that would otherwise be distributed by will or intestate succession is, or has been at any time since the decedent’s death, fifty thousand dollars or less and there is no real property or the real property passes to persons exempt from inheritance tax as joint tenants with full rights of survivorship.
  10.  The procedure provided by this section may be used only if no administration of the decedent’s estate is pending.
91 Acts, ch 36, §6; 2001 Acts, ch 140, §3 – 5; 2004 Acts, ch 1015, §2 – 6; 2006 Acts, ch 1104, §3; 2010 Acts, ch 1137, §6; 2013 Acts, ch 30, §261; 2013 Acts, ch 33, §5; 2014 Acts, ch 1021, §2; 2014 Acts, ch 1026, §128; 2018 Acts, ch 1035, §1, 2; 2019 Acts, ch 24, §87
Referred to in §249A.53, 421.59, 611.22, 638.7, 638.8, 638.15

     
633.357  Custodial independent retirement accounts.
  1.  As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires:
  a.  “Custodial independent retirement account” means an individual retirement account in accordance with section 408(a) of the Internal Revenue Code or a Roth individual retirement account in accordance with section 408A of the Internal Revenue Code, the assets of which are not held in trust.
  b.  “Designator” means a person entitled to designate the beneficiary or beneficiaries of a custodial independent retirement account.
  2.  The assets of a custodial independent retirement account shall pass on or after the death of the designator of the custodial independent retirement account to the beneficiary or beneficiaries specified in the custodial independent retirement account agreement signed by the designator or designated by the designator in writing pursuant to the custodial independent retirement account agreement. Assets that pass to a beneficiary pursuant to this section shall not be considered part of the designator’s probate estate except to the extent that the designator’s estate is a beneficiary. The designation of a beneficiary shall not be considered testamentary and does not have to be witnessed.
  3.  This section applies to a custodial independent retirement account established and a beneficiary designation made prior to, on, or after July 1, 1999. This section shall be considered to be declarative of the law as the law existed immediately prior to July 1, 1999.
  4.  This section shall not be construed to imply that assets or benefits that are payable upon the death of a person to a beneficiary or beneficiaries designated in or pursuant to a written arrangement not described in this section, other than a will, are part of the person’s probate estate or that the arrangement is testamentary.
99 Acts, ch 56, §4
633.358 through 633.360Reserved.
PART 4
INVENTORY

  
     
633.361  Report and inventory.
  Within ninety days after qualification by the personal representative, unless a longer time is granted by the court, the personal representative shall file with the clerk a report and inventory of the property of the decedent, so far as the same has come to the knowledge of the personal representative. The report and inventory shall be verified or affirmed under penalty of perjury. It shall include the following information:
  1.  Name, age, and residence of decedent.
  2.  Date of death.
  3.  Whether decedent died testate or intestate.
  4.  Name and post office address of the personal representative.
  5.  Name and post office address of the surviving spouse, if any.
  6.  Name, relationship, and post office address of each beneficiary under the will if the decedent died testate or of each heir if the decedent died intestate. If any persons take by representation, the personal representative shall list the deceased person through whom those persons take and shall also list the persons taking under that deceased person.
  7.  If the decedent died testate, the name and address of each child, if any, born to or adopted by decedent after execution of the will.
  8.  Legal descriptions and estimated values of all the real estate of the decedent in the state of Iowa.
  9.  Legal descriptions and estimated values of all real estate of the decedent outside of the state of Iowa.
  10.  Personal property regarded as exempt from execution, with estimated values.
  11.  All other personal property of the decedent, with estimated values.
  12.  A listing of all other items, with estimated values, which are subject to Iowa inheritance tax or federal estate tax.
  13.  A report concerning any reductions in the amount of unified credit available for federal estate tax purposes.
[C51, §1328; R60, §2360; C73, §2370; C97, §3310; S13, §1481-a26; C24, §7319, 11913; C27, 31, 35, 39, §11913; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §635.1; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.361]
83 Acts, ch 177, §36, 38; 84 Acts, ch 1092, §1; 2014 Acts, ch 1026, §129
Referred to in §450.22, 635.7

     
633.362  Filing mandatory.
  Such inventory must be filed in all cases, notwithstanding the provisions of any will or the action of any heirs or devisees waiving the filing thereof, and no administration shall be closed until the same has been filed.
[C97, §3310; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §11915; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §635.4; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.362]

     
633.363  Reporting failure to court.
  The failure of the personal representative promptly to make said inventory and report shall be forthwith reported by the clerk to the court for such order as may be necessary to enforce the making and filing of the same.
[C27, 31, 35, §11913-b1; C39, §11913.1; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §635.2; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.363]

     
633.364  Supplementary inventory.
  Whenever any additional information or property not mentioned in the inventory comes to the knowledge of a personal representative, the personal representative shall make a supplementary inventory thereof, such supplementary inventory to be filed within thirty days after such discovery.
[C51, §1333; R60, §2365; C73, §2376; C97, §3310; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §11914; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §635.3; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.364]

     
633.365  Appraisement.
  Property belonging to the estate need not be appraised unless required for inheritance tax purposes, under the provisions of this probate code, or by order of court.
[C51, §1331, 1332; R60, §2363, 2364; C73, §2373, 2374, 2378; C97, §3311; S13, §3311; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §11916, 11917; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §635.5, 635.6; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.365]
2005 Acts, ch 38, §51

     
633.366  Debts of executor.
  The naming of any person as executor in a will shall not operate as a discharge or bequest of any right of action owned by the testator against such persons, if it is a right that otherwise survives against such person. Every such right of action shall be included among the assets of the decedent in the inventory.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.366]

     
633.367  Inventory and appraisement as evidence.
  Inventories and appraisements may be given in evidence in all proceedings, but shall not be conclusive, and other evidence may be introduced to vary the effect thereof.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.367]

     
633.368  Property for payment of creditor’s claims.
  The property liable for the payment of debts and charges against a decedent’s estate shall include all property transferred by the decedent with intent to defraud the decedent’s creditors or any of them, or transferred by any other means which is in law void or voidable as against the creditors or any of them; and the right to recover such property, so far as necessary for the payment of the debts and charges against the estate of the decedent, shall be exclusively in the personal representative, who shall take such steps as may be necessary to recover the same. Such property shall constitute general assets for the payment of all creditors.
[C73, §2381; C97, §3317; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §11927; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §635.16; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.368]
633.369 through 633.373Reserved.
PART 5
ALLOWANCE FOR SURVIVING SPOUSE

AND MINOR CHILDREN

     
633.374  Allowance to surviving spouse.
  1.  The personal representative of the estate shall mail to the surviving spouse pursuant to section 633.40, subsection 5, a written notice regarding the right to request a spousal allowance. The notice shall inform the surviving spouse of the surviving spouse’s right to submit an application to the court within four months of service of the notice, for support for a period of twelve months following the death of the decedent, and for support of the decedent’s dependents who reside with the spouse for the same period of time.
  2.  The court shall, upon application, set off and order paid to the surviving spouse, as part of the costs of administration, sufficient of the decedent’s property including assets held in a revocable trust of which the decedent is the settlor to the extent that estate assets are not sufficient as it deems reasonable for the proper support of the surviving spouse for the period of twelve months following the death of the decedent. Notice of hearing upon the application shall be given to the surviving spouse, personal representative if the application is not made by the personal representative, trustee of any revocable trust of which the decedent is the settlor, and all other interested persons. The court shall take into consideration the station in life of the surviving spouse, the assets and condition of the estate and any revocable trust of which the decedent is the settlor, the nonprobate assets received by the surviving spouse by reason of the death of the decedent, and the income and other resources of the surviving spouse. If the trustee of a revocable trust of which the decedent was a settlor has previously made payments under section 633A.3114 to the spouse, the court shall reduce the award by the amount of such payments. The allowance shall also include such additional amount as the court deems reasonable for the proper support, during such period, of dependents of the decedent who reside with the surviving spouse. Such allowance to the surviving spouse shall not abate upon the death or remarriage of such spouse. If an application for support has not been filed within four months following service of the notice by or on behalf of the surviving spouse and the dependents of the decedent who reside with the surviving spouse, the surviving spouse and the dependents of the decedent shall be deemed to have waived the right to apply for support during the administration of the estate.
  3.  A surviving spouse who qualifies for a support allowance under this section may waive the right to such allowance for the surviving spouse and for the dependents of the decedent who reside with the surviving spouse by filing an affidavit acknowledging receipt of notice and irrevocably waiving the right to support under this section.
[C51, §1338; R60, §2370; C73, §2375, 2377; C97, §3314; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §11923, 11924; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §635.12, 635.13; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.374]
2008 Acts, ch 1119, §18, 39; 2012 Acts, ch 1123, §9, 32
Referred to in §633.376

     
633.375  Review of allowance to surviving spouse.
  The court may, upon the petition of any interested person, and after hearing pursuant to notice to all interested parties, review the allowance and increase or decrease the amount and make such other orders as it may deem proper.
[C51, §1338; R60, §2370; C73, §2375, 2377; C97, §3314; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §11923; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §635.12; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.375]
2012 Acts, ch 1123, §10, 32

     
633.376  Allowance to children who do not reside with surviving spouse.
  1.  The court may also make an allowance under the same terms and conditions as provided in section 633.374 of an amount the court deems reasonable in light of the assets and condition of the estate, to provide for proper support during the period of twelve months following the decedent’s death to a child of the decedent who does not reside with the surviving spouse and is any of the following:
  a.  Less than eighteen years of age.
  b.  Between the ages of eighteen and twenty-two years who is any of the following:
  (1)  Regularly attending an accredited school in pursuance of a course of study leading to a high school diploma or its equivalent.
  (2)  Regularly attending a course of career and technical training either as a part of a regular school program or under special arrangements adapted to the individual person’s needs.
  (3)  Is, in good faith, a full-time student in a college, university, or community college.
  (4)  Has been accepted for admission to a college, university, or community college and the next regular term has not yet begun.
  c.  Is a child of any age who is dependent because of physical or mental disability.
  2.  The estate’s personal representative shall mail pursuant to section 633.40, subsection 5, to the legal guardian of each child qualified under subsection 1 and to each child or the guardian ad litem for such child if necessary, who has no legal guardian, a written notice regarding the right to request an allowance. The notice shall inform the child and the child’s guardian or guardian ad litem, if applicable, of the right to submit an application to the court, within four months after service of the notice, for support for a period of twelve months following the decedent’s death. If an application for support has not been filed within four months after service of the notice by or on behalf of the child qualifying for support under subsection 1, the child shall be deemed to have waived the right to support under this section. A child who qualifies for support under this section or the child’s guardian or guardian ad litem may waive the child’s right to such support by filing an affidavit acknowledging receipt of notice and irrevocably waiving the child’s right to support under this section.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.376]
83 Acts, ch 101, §127; 86 Acts, ch 1245, §1497; 90 Acts, ch 1253, §120; 2009 Acts, ch 52, §7, 14; 2012 Acts, ch 1123, §11, 32; 2013 Acts, ch 90, §177; 2016 Acts, ch 1108, §71

     
633.377  Review of allowance to minor children.
  The court may, upon the petition of any interested person, and after hearing pursuant to notice to all interested parties, review the allowance made to the minor children who do not reside with the surviving spouse and may increase or decrease the amount and make such other orders as it may deem proper.
[C51, §1338; R60, §2370; C73, §2375, 2377; C97, §3314; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §11923; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §635.12; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.377]
2012 Acts, ch 1123, §12, 32
633.378 through 633.382Reserved.
PART 6
SALE OF PROPERTY
Referred to in §633.642

     
633.383  When power given in will.
  When power to sell, mortgage, lease, pledge or exchange property of the estate has been given to any personal representative under the terms of any will, the statutory requirements with reference to procedure for such purposes shall not apply.
[C51, §1297; R60, §2329; C73, §2353; C97, §3295, 3296; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §11879 – 11882; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §633.35 – 633.38; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.383]

     
633.384  Equitable conversion and power of sale.
  A testamentary direction to sell real property, and the exercise of a testamentary power of sale of real property, shall constitute an equitable conversion of real estate into personal property, but shall not affect distribution of the estate under the provisions of the will.
[C51, §1297; R60, §2329; C73, §2353; C97, §3295, 3296; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §11879 – 11882; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §633.35 – 633.38; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.384]

     
633.385  Conversion.
  1.  When realty treated as personalty.  Real property acquired by the personal representative by the completion of foreclosure proceedings, or by the forfeiture of real estate contracts, after the death of the decedent shall be deemed to be personal property for the purpose of administration and distribution of the estate.
  2.  When personalty treated as realty.  In all cases of sale of real property by a personal representative under order of court, the surplus of the proceeds of such sale remaining after the payment of debts and charges shall be deemed to be real property and disposed of in the same proportions as the real property would have been if it had not been sold.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.385]

     
633.386  Sale, mortgage, pledge, lease or exchange of property — purposes.
  1.  Any real or personal property belonging to the decedent, except exempt personal property and the homestead, may be sold, mortgaged, pledged, leased or exchanged by the personal representative for any of the following purposes:
  a.  The payment of debts and charges against the estate;
  b.  The distribution of the estate or any part thereof;
  c.  Any other purpose in the best interests of the estate.
  2.  Exempt personal property under such provisions as the court may direct, if not set off to the surviving spouse, may be sold, mortgaged, pledged, leased, or exchanged, provided that the surviving spouse consents thereto.
  3.  The homestead, under such provisions as the court may direct, if not set off to the surviving spouse and if the surviving spouse has not elected to occupy the homestead, may be sold, mortgaged, pledged, leased or exchanged.
  4.  The proceeds from the sale of any exempt personal property or from the sale of the homestead shall be held by the personal representative subject to the rights of the surviving spouse or issue, unless such surviving spouse or issue has expressly waived the rights to such proceeds.
[C51, §1341 – 1343; R60, §2373 – 2375; C73, §2386 – 2388; C97, §3322, 3323; C24, 27, 31, §11932, 11933; C35, §11932, 11933, 11951-g2; C39, §11932, 11933, 11951.2; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §635.21 – 635.23, 635.42; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.386]

     
633.387  Sale of personal property without order of court.
  Personal property of a perishable nature and personal property for which there is a regularly established market may be sold by the personal representative without order of court.
[C51, §1341; R60, §2373; C73, §2386; C97, §3322; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §11932; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §635.21; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.387]
Referred to in §450.7

     
633.388  Petition to sell, mortgage, exchange, pledge or lease property.
  A petition to sell, mortgage, exchange, pledge or lease any real or personal property shall set forth the reasons for the application and describe the property involved. It may apply for different authority as to separate parts of the property; or it may apply in the alternative for authority to sell, mortgage, exchange, pledge or lease. Whenever it is for the best interests of the estate, real and personal property of the estate may be sold, mortgaged, exchanged, pledged or leased as a unit.
[C51, §1342, 1343; R60, §2374, 2375; C73, §2387, 2388; C97, §3323; C24, 27, §11933; C35, §11933, 11951-g4; C39, §11933, 11951.4; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §635.23, 635.44; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.388]
Referred to in §633.391, 633.400

  
     
633.389  Notice on sale, mortgage, exchange, pledge, or lease of property.
  Upon the filing of the petition, unless notice is waived in writing or unless all interested persons are also personal representatives and have signed the petition, notice in accordance with section 633.40, shall be served on all persons interested in the property, provided that as to personal property and as to the lease of real property not specifically devised, for a period not to exceed one year, the court may hear the petition without notice. When notice is required, the notice shall state briefly the nature of the application. Upon satisfactory proof, the court may order the sale, mortgage, exchange, pledge, or lease of the property described, or any part of the property, at a price and upon terms and conditions as the court may authorize. For the purposes of this section, the term “all persons interested” includes only distributees in the estate and persons who have requested notice as provided by this probate code.
[C51, §1342 – 1344; R60, §2374 – 2376; C73, §2387 – 2389; C97, §3323, 3324; C24, §11933, 11934, 11935; C27, 31, §11933, 11935; C35, §11933, 11935, 11951-g5; C39, §11933, 11935, 11951.5; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §635.23 – 635.25, 635.45; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.389; 81 Acts, ch 193, §2]
2005 Acts, ch 38, §51; 2016 Acts, ch 1088, §1

     
633.390  Sale subject to mortgage.
  When a claim is secured by a mortgage on property, the court may, with the consent of the mortgagee, order the sale of the property subject to the mortgage, and such consent shall release the estate should a deficiency later appear.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.390]

     
633.391  Quieting adverse claims.
  A petition to determine questions of conflicting and controverted title, or to remove clouds from any title or interest of property involved, may be combined with the petition provided in section 633.388.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.391]

     
633.392  Terms of sale.
  In all sales of property, the court may authorize credit to be given by the personal representative on such terms as the court may prescribe. Credit for more than twelve months shall be extended only after hearing pursuant to notice to interested parties.
[C51, §1347, 1348, 1350; R60, §2379, 2380, 2382; C73, §2392, 2393, 2395; C97, §3326; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §11938; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §635.27; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.392]

     
633.393  Purchase by holder of lien.
  At any sale of real or personal property upon which there is a mortgage, pledge, or other lien, the holder of such lien may become the purchaser, and may apply the amount of the lien on the purchase price in the following manner. If no claim thereon has been filed or allowed, the court, at the hearing on the report of sale and for confirmation of the sale, may examine into the validity and enforceability of the lien or charge and the amount due thereunder and secured thereby, and may authorize the personal representative to accept the receipt of such purchaser for the amount due thereunder and secured thereby as payment pro tanto. If such mortgage, pledge, or other lien is a valid claim against the estate and has been allowed, the receipt of the purchaser for the amount due the purchaser from the proceeds of the sale is a payment pro tanto. If the amount for which the property is purchased, whether or not a claim for it has been filed or allowed, is insufficient to defray the expenses and discharge the mortgage, pledge, or other lien, the purchaser must pay an amount sufficient to pay the balance of such expenses. Nothing permitted under the terms of this section shall be deemed to be an allowance of a claim based upon such mortgage, pledge, or other lien.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.393]

     
633.394  Order to sell, mortgage, pledge, exchange or lease to be refused if bond given.
  1.  Bond to prevent sale.  Any person interested in the estate may prevent a sale, mortgage, pledge, exchange or lease of the whole or any part of the real estate or personal property for any purpose, by giving bond to the satisfaction of the court, conditioned that the person will pay such demands against the estate as the court shall require, not to exceed the value of the property thus kept from sale, mortgage, pledge, exchange, or lease, as soon as called upon by the court for that purpose.
  2.  Breach of bond — procedure.  If the conditions of such bond are broken, the property will be liable for the debts, unless it has passed into the hands of innocent purchasers, and the executor or administrator may take possession thereof and sell it under the direction of the court, or may prosecute the bond, or pursue both remedies at the same time, if the court so directs.
  3.  Effect of bond.  If the conditions of the bond are complied with, the property shall pass by devise, bequest, distribution, or descent in the same manner as though there had been no debts against the estate.
[C51, §1351 – 1353; R60, §2383 – 2385; C73, §2396 – 2398; C97, §3328, 3329; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §11941 – 11943; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §635.30 – 635.32; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.394]

     
633.395  Validity of proceedings.
  No proceedings for sale, mortgage, pledge, lease, exchange or conveyance by a personal representative of property belonging to the estate shall be subject to collateral attack on account of any irregularity in the proceedings which is not such as to deprive the court of jurisdiction.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.395]

     
633.396  Order for sale, mortgage, pledge, exchange or lease of real property.
  The order shall describe the property to be sold, mortgaged, pledged, exchanged or leased, and may designate the sequence in which the several parcels shall be sold, mortgaged, pledged, exchanged or leased. An order for sale may direct whether the property shall be sold at private sale or public auction, and, if the latter, the place or places of sale. The order of sale may prescribe the terms, conditions and manner of sale. The court may, in its discretion, provide for appraisal for its guidance as to value of the property, and determine whether or not additional bond shall be deposited by the personal representative. If real property is to be mortgaged, it may fix the maximum amount of principal, the earliest and latest dates of maturity, and the purposes for which the proceeds shall be used. An order for sale, mortgage, pledge, exchange or lease shall remain in force until terminated by the court.
[C51, §1345 – 1350; R60, §2377 – 2382; C73, §2390 – 2395; C97, §3325 – 3327; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §11937 – 11940; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §635.26 – 635.29; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.396]

     
633.397  Sale at public auction.
  In all sales of property at public auction, the personal representative shall give such notice, in such form and manner, and to such persons or parties, as the court may prescribe. If no provision for notice is made by the court, the notice shall be published once each week for two consecutive weeks in some newspaper of general circulation in the county where sale is to be held, the last publication to be not less than one day nor more than seven days before the day of sale. If the property to be sold is located in more than one county, the sale may be held and notice given in any one or more of said counties. Unless otherwise provided by order of the court, the notice shall state the time and place of the sale and describe the property to be sold. Proof of service of the notice required shall be filed before confirmation of the sale.
[C51, §1347, 1348, 1350; R60, §2379, 2380, 2382; C73, §2392, 2393, 2395; C97, §3326; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §11938; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §635.27; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.397]

     
633.398  Adjournment of sale at public auction.
  The personal representative may adjourn any sale from time to time when, in the personal representative’s discretion, it is deemed for the best interests of the estate to do so, but no adjournment shall be to a time more than three months from the date first fixed for the sale. Every adjournment shall be announced publicly at the time and place at which adjournment is made.
[C51, §1347, 1348, 1350; R60, §2379, 2380, 2382; C73, §2392, 2393, 2395; C97, §3326; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §11938; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §635.27; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.398]

     
633.399  Report for approval.
  After making any such sale, mortgage, exchange or lease of real property, the personal representative shall make a verified report thereof to the court. The court shall examine said report, and if satisfied that the sale, mortgage, exchange, or lease has been at a price and upon terms advantageous to the estate, and, in all respects, made in conformity with law, and that it ought to be confirmed, shall confirm the same and order the personal representative to deliver a deed, mortgage, lease or other proper instruments to the persons entitled thereto; provided, however, that in the event said real property has been sold at private sale without an appraisal for inheritance tax purposes or for purpose of such sale, or, if it has been so appraised and has been sold at private sale for less than the appraised value thereof, then, upon the filing of such report, the court may enter an order fixing a time and place for hearing thereon and prescribe a notice of such hearing to be served upon all interested persons, any one of whom, prior to the time fixed for such hearing, may file written objections to the entry of an order approving said sale. If not satisfied that the sale, mortgage, exchange, or lease has been made in conformity with law and that it is to the best interests of the estate, the court may reject the sale, mortgage, exchange, or lease, and enter such orders as the court may deem advisable.
[C51, §1354, 1355; R60, §2386, 2387; C73, §2399, 2400; C97, §3330, 3331; C24, 27, 31, §11944 – 11947; C35, §11944 – 11947, 11951-g6, -g7; C39, §11944 – 11947, 11951.6, 11951.7; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §635.33 – 635.36, 635.46, 635.47; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.399]
Referred to in §633.400

     
633.400  Joining report with petition.
  The report of any private sale, mortgage, exchange, or lease of real property, as provided in section 633.399, may be joined with the petition provided in section 633.388.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.400]

     
633.401  Record in foreign county.
  When real property so conveyed or encumbered is located in a county other than that in which such proceedings are had, a complete transcript of the record of all proceedings relating thereto shall be filed by the personal representative in the office of the clerk in such county.
[C97, §3331; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §11949; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §635.38; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.401]

  
     
633.402  Sale defined.
  For purposes of this part, sale of property includes but is not limited to the granting of an easement, the granting of an option, the granting of a right of refusal, and the granting or conveyance of any other interest, title, or right regarding property.
[81 Acts, ch 193, §3]
2018 Acts, ch 1041, §127; 2020 Acts, ch 1062, §65; 2021 Acts, ch 76, §145
633.403 through 633.409Reserved.
PART 7
CLAIMS AGAINST DECEDENT’S ESTATE, AND

TIME AND MANNER OF FILING CLAIMS

     
633.410  Limitation on filing claims against decedent’s estate.
  1.  All claims against a decedent’s estate, other than charges, whether due or to become due, absolute or contingent, liquidated or unliquidated, founded on contract or otherwise, are forever barred against the estate, the personal representative, and the distributees of the estate, unless filed with the clerk within the later to occur of four months after the date of the second publication of the notice to creditors or, as to each claimant whose identity is reasonably ascertainable, one month after service of notice by ordinary mail to the claimant’s last known address.
  2.  Notwithstanding subsection 1, claims for debts created under section 249A.53, subsection 2, relating to the recovery of medical assistance payments shall be barred under this section unless filed with the clerk within six months after sending notice by electronic transmission, on the form prescribed in section 633.231 for intestate estates or on the form prescribed in section 633.304A for testate estates, to the entity designated by the department of human services to receive notice.
  3.  Notice is not required to be given by mail to any creditor whose claim will be paid or otherwise satisfied during administration and the personal representative may waive the limitation on filing provided under this section. This section does not bar claims for which there is insurance coverage, to the extent of the coverage, or claimants entitled to equitable relief due to peculiar circumstances.
[C51, §1373; R60, §2405; C73, §2421; C97, §3349; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §11972; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §635.68; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.410]
84 Acts, ch 1080, §9; 85 Acts, ch 92, §1; 89 Acts, ch 35, §6; 95 Acts, ch 68, §7; 2001 Acts, ch 109, §3; 2007 Acts, ch 134, §14; 2010 Acts, ch 1137, §7
Referred to in §633.231, 633.304A, 633.413, 633.414, 633.415, 633.444

     
633.411  Pleading statute of limitations.
  It shall be within the discretion of the personal representative to determine whether or not the applicable statute of limitations shall be pleaded to bar a claim which the personal representative believes to be just, provided, however, that this section shall not apply where the personal representative was appointed upon the application of a creditor.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.411]

     
633.412  When claim not affected by statute of limitations.
  A claim shall not be barred by the statute of limitations if the claim was not barred at the time of the decedent’s death and is filed against the decedent’s estate within four months from the date of the decedent’s death.
[C51, §1373; R60, §2405; C73, §2421; C97, §3349; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §11972; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §635.68; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.412]
84 Acts, ch 1080, §10
Referred to in §633.414

     
633.413  Claims barred when no administration commenced.
  All claims barrable under the provisions of section 633.410 shall, in any event, be barred if administration of the estate, whether testate or intestate, original or ancillary is not commenced within five years after the death of the decedent.
[C51, §1325, 1356; R60, §2357, 2388; C73, §2367, 2401; C97, §3305, 3332; S13, §3305; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §11891, 11951; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §633.47, 635.40; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.413]
Referred to in §633.414

     
633.414  Liens not affected by failure to file claim.
  Nothing in sections 633.410, 633.412, and 633.413 shall affect or prevent any action or proceeding to enforce any mortgage, pledge, or other lien upon property of the estate.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.414]

  
     
633.415  Commencement or continuance of separate action.
  1.  Any action pending against the decedent at the time of the decedent’s death that survives, shall also be considered a claim filed against the estate if notice of substitution is served upon the personal representative as defendant within the time provided for filing claims in section 633.410; however, this provision shall not bar parties entitled to equitable relief due to peculiar circumstances. A copy of the proof of service of notice of such proceedings shall be filed in the probate proceedings but shall not be jurisdictional.
  2.  A separate action based on a debt or other liability of the decedent may be commenced against a personal representative of the decedent in lieu of filing a claim in the estate. Such an action shall be commenced by serving an original notice on the personal representative within the time provided for filing claims in section 633.410 and such action shall also be considered a claim filed against the estate. Such action may be commenced only in a county wherein the venue would have been proper had the decedent survived and the action been commenced against the decedent. A copy of the proof of service of notice shall be filed in the probate proceedings but shall not be jurisdictional.
  3.  A judgment or decree in favor of the plaintiff in any such action shall constitute an adjudication against the estate.
  4.  In all cases where by the death of the party to be charged, the bringing of the action against the estate shall have been delayed beyond the period provided by the statute of limitations, the action may be brought if the original notice is served on the personal representative as defendant, and proof of service of notice of such proceeding is filed in the probate proceedings within the time provided for filing claims in section 633.410.
[C51, §1373; R60, §2405; C73, §2421; C97, §3349; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §11972; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §635.68; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.415]
2016 Acts, ch 1011, §121
Referred to in §633.416, 633.417

  
     
633.416  Compulsory counterclaims — rules of civil procedure.
  In an action commenced by or against the fiduciary under the provisions of section 633.415, or in any action pending by or against the decedent that survives under the provisions of section 633.415, the rules of civil procedure as to compulsory counterclaims shall apply in such action.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.416]
See 
R.C.P. 1.241 et seq.

  
     
633.417  Separate action in lieu of proceeding on claims.
  The provisions of sections 633.438 through 633.448 are not applicable to actions continued or commenced under section 633.415.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.417]
2019 Acts, ch 59, §215

  
     
633.418  Form and verification of claims — general requirements.
  No claim shall be allowed against an estate on application of the claimant unless it shall be in writing, filed with the clerk, stating the claimant’s name and address and, if available, telephone number and electronic mail address, describing the nature and the amount thereof, if ascertainable, and accompanied by the affidavit of the claimant, or someone for the claimant, that the amount is justly due, or if not yet due, when it will or may become due, that no payments have been made thereon which are not credited, and that there are no offsets to the same, to the knowledge of the affiant, except as therein stated. If the claim is contingent, the nature of the contingency shall also be stated.
[C51, §1359; R60, §2391; C73, §2408; C97, §3338; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §11957, 11958; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §635.53, 635.54; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.418]
2018 Acts, ch 1027, §6, 10; 2018 Acts, ch 1172, §33, 43

     
633.419  Requirements when claim founded on written instrument.
  If a claim is founded on a written instrument, the original or a copy thereof with all endorsements must be attached to the claim. The original instrument must be exhibited to the personal representative or court, upon demand, unless it is lost or destroyed, in which case its loss or destruction must be stated in the claim.
[C51, §1359; R60, §2391; C73, §2408; C97, §3338; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §11957; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §635.53; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.419]

     
633.420  How claim entitled.
  All claims filed against the estate shall be entitled in the name of the claimant against the personal representative as such, naming the estate, and in all further proceedings thereon that title shall be preserved.
[C73, §2409; C97, §3339; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §11960; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §635.56; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.420]

     
633.421  Unsecured claims not yet due.
  Upon proof of an unsecured claim which will become due at some future time, the same may be paid if the claimant will consent to such discount as the court thinks reasonable; otherwise, the court shall direct the investment of an amount which will provide for the payment of the claim when it becomes due.
[C51, §1364, 1377; R60, §2396, 2409; C73, §2413, 2425; C97, §3342, 3352; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §11964, 11975; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §635.60, 635.70; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.421]

     
633.422  Secured claims not yet due.
  When a creditor holds any security for a claim not yet due, the creditor may file the claim as a claim not yet due with the right of withdrawing the claim if the compromise offer is not satisfactory, and, after such withdrawal, rely entirely on the creditor’s security, or the creditor may elect to rely entirely on the creditor’s security without the necessity of filing a claim.
[C51, §1364, 1377; R60, §2396, 2409; C73, §2413, 2425; C97, §3342, 3352; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §11964, 11975; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §635.60, 635.70; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.422]

  
     
633.423  Procedure for secured claims.
  When a creditor holds any security for the creditor’s claim, the security shall be described in the claim. If the claim is secured by a mortgage, pledge or other lien which has been recorded, it shall be sufficient to describe the lien by date, and refer to the volume, page and place of recording. The claim shall be allowed in the amount remaining unpaid at the time of its allowance, and the judgment allowing it shall describe the security. Payment of the claim shall be upon the basis of the full amount thereof if the creditor shall surrender the creditor’s security; otherwise payment shall be upon the basis of one of the following:
  1.  If the creditor shall exhaust the security before receiving payment, then upon the full amount of the claim allowed, less the amount realized upon exhausting the security.
  2.  If the creditor shall not have exhausted, or shall not have the right to exhaust, the security, then upon the full amount of the claim allowed, less the value of the security determined by agreement, or as the court may direct.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.423]
2020 Acts, ch 1063, §345

  
     
633.424  Contingent claims.
  Contingent claims which cannot be allowed as absolute debts shall, nevertheless, be filed in the court and proved. If allowed as a contingent claim, the order of allowance shall state the nature of the contingency. If such claim shall become absolute before distribution of the estate, it shall be paid in the same manner as absolute claims of the same class. In all other cases, the court may provide for the payment of contingent claims in any one of the following methods:
  1.  The creditor and personal representative may determine, by agreement, arbitration, or compromise, the value of the claim, according to its probable present worth, and upon approval thereof by the court, the contingent claim may be allowed and paid in the same manner as an absolute claim.
  2.  The court may order the personal representative to make distribution of the estate but to retain sufficient funds to pay the claim if and when the same becomes absolute. However, for this purpose, the estate shall not be kept open longer than two years after distribution of the remainder of the estate. If the contingent claim has not become absolute within that time, distribution shall be made to the distributees of the funds so retained, after paying any costs and expenses accruing during such period. The distributees shall be liable to the creditor to the extent of the estate received by them, if the contingent claim becomes absolute after distribution. When distribution is so made to distributees, the court may require the distributees to give bond for the satisfaction of their liability to the contingent creditor.
  3.  The court may order distribution of the estate as though the contingent claim did not exist, but the distributees shall be liable to the creditor to the extent of the estate received by them, if the contingent claim becomes absolute after distribution. The court may require the distributees to give bond for the performance of their liability to the contingent creditor.
  4.  Such other method as the court may order.
[C51, §1365; R60, §2397; C73, §2414; C97, §3343; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §11965; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §635.61; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.424]
2020 Acts, ch 1063, §346
CLASSIFICATION, ALLOWANCE, AND PAYMENT

OF DEBTS AND CHARGES

     
633.425  Classification of debts and charges.
  In any estate in which the assets are, or appear to be, insufficient to pay in full all debts and charges of the estate, the personal representative shall classify the debts and charges as follows:
  1.  Court costs.
  2.  Other costs of administration.
  3.  Reasonable funeral and burial expenses.
  4.  All debts and taxes having preference under the laws of the United States.
  5.  Reasonable and necessary medical and hospital expenses of the last illness of the decedent, including compensation of persons attending at the decedent’s last illness.
  6.  All taxes having preferences under the laws of this state.
  7.  Any debt for medical assistance paid pursuant to section 249A.53, subsection 2.
  8.  All debts owing to employees for labor performed during the ninety days next preceding the death of the decedent.
  9.  All unpaid support payments as defined in section 598.1, subsection 9, and all additional unpaid awards and judgments against the decedent in any dissolution, separate maintenance, uniform support, or paternity action to the extent that the support, awards, and judgments have accrued at the time of death of the decedent.
  10.  All other claims allowed.
[C51, §1370 – 1372, 1374, 1376, 1378, 1379; R60, §2402 – 2404, 2406, 2408, 2410, 2411; C73, §2418 – 2420, 2422, 2424, 2426, 2427; C97, §3347, 3348, 3350, 3353; S13, §3348; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §11969 – 11971, 11973, 11976; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §635.65 – 635.67, 635.69, 635.71; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.425; 82 Acts, ch 1197, §1]
94 Acts, ch 1120, §11
Referred to in §230.30, 249A.53, 252.13, 331.805, 602.8107, 633.356, 633.426, 633A.3104
Labor or wage claims preferred, §626.69, 680.7, 681.13 

     
633.426  Order of payment of debts and charges.
  Payment of debts and charges of the estate shall be made in the order provided in section 633.425, without preference of any claim over another of the same class. If the assets of the estate are insufficient to pay in full all of the claims of a class, then such claims shall be paid on a pro rata basis, without preference between claims then due and those of the same class not due.
[C51, §1378, 1379; R60, §2410, 2411; C73, §2426, 2427; C97, §3353; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §11976; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §635.71; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.426]
2008 Acts, ch 1032, §86
Referred to in §633A.3104

     
633.427  Payment of contingent claims by distributees — contribution.
  If a contingent claim has been filed and allowed against an estate and all the assets of the estate have been distributed, and the claim becomes absolute, the creditor has the right to recover on the claim against those distributees whose distributive shares have been increased because the amount of the claim as finally determined was not paid prior to final distribution, if an action for recovery is commenced within four months after the claim becomes absolute. Such distributees are jointly and severally liable, but a distributee is not liable for an amount exceeding the amount of the estate or fund so distributed to that distributee. If more than one distributee is liable to the creditor, the creditor shall make parties to the action all such distributees who can be reached by process. By its judgment, the court shall determine the amount of the liability of each of the distributees as between themselves, but if any distributee is insolvent or unable to pay that distributee’s proportion, or is beyond the reach of process, the others, to the extent of their respective liabilities, are nevertheless liable to the creditor for the whole amount of the creditor’s debt. If any person liable for the debt fails to pay that person’s just proportion to the creditors, the person is liable to indemnify all who, by reason of the failure, have paid more than their just proportion of the debt, the indemnity to be recovered in the same action or in separate actions.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.427]
84 Acts, ch 1080, §11

     
633.428  Allowance by personal representative.
  Where a claim has been filed and is admitted in writing by the personal representative, it shall stand allowed in the absence of fraud or collusion.
[C73, §2410; C97, §3340; S13, §3340; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §11961; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §635.57; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.428]

     
633.429  Compelling payment of claims.
  No claimant shall be entitled to compel payment unless the claimant’s claim has been duly filed and allowed.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.429]

     
633.430  Execution and levies prohibited.
  No execution shall issue upon, nor shall any levy be made against, any property of the estate under any judgment against a decedent or a personal representative, but the provisions of this section shall not be construed to prevent the enforcement of mortgages.
[C51, §1368; R60, §2400; C73, §2416; C97, §3345; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §11967; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §635.63; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.430]

     
633.431  Claims of personal representative.
  If the personal representative is a creditor of the decedent, the personal representative shall file the claim as other creditors, and the court shall appoint some competent person as temporary administrator to represent the estate in the matter of allowing or disallowing such claim. The same procedure shall be followed in the case of corepresentatives where all such representatives are creditors of the estate; but if one of the corepresentatives is not a creditor of the estate, such disinterested representative shall represent the estate in the matter of allowing or disallowing such claim against the estate by a corepresentative.
[C51, §1369; R60, §2401; C73, §2417; C97, §3346; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §11968; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §635.64; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.431]
Referred to in §633.432

  
     
633.432  Allowance or disallowance of claim of personal representative.
  1.  A temporary administrator appointed pursuant to section 633.431 shall, upon investigation, file a report with the court recommending the allowance or disallowance of a claim filed pursuant to section 633.431. The recommendation may, but need not, include information on the substantive merits of allowing or disallowing the claim. The recommendation shall include a statement that, upon investigation, a legitimate dispute either does or does not exist as to such a claim. 
  2.  Unless the court allows the claim, the claim shall be disposed of as a contested claim in accordance with the provisions of sections 633.439 through 633.448.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.432]
2014 Acts, ch 1021, §3; 2019 Acts, ch 59, §216

     
633.433  Payment of debts and charges before expiration of four-month period.
  As soon as the personal representative is possessed of sufficient means over and above the other costs of administration, the personal representative shall pay any allowance made by the court for the surviving spouse and children of the decedent, and may pay the expenses of funeral, burial, and last illness. Prior to the expiration of four months after the date of the second publication of notice to creditors, the personal representative shall pay other debts and charges against the estate as the court orders, and the court may require bond or other security to be given by the creditor to refund such part of the payment as may be necessary to make payment in accordance with this probate code. All payments made by the personal representative without order of court are at the personal representative’s own peril.
[C51, §1370, 1371, 1374, 1376, 1378, 1379; R60, §2402, 2403, 2406, 2408, 2410, 2411; C73, §2418, 2419, 2422, 2424, 2426, 2427; C97, §3347, 3350, 3353; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §11969, 11973, 11976; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §635.65, 635.69, 635.71; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.433]
84 Acts, ch 1080, §12; 2005 Acts, ch 38, §51

  
     
633.434  Payment of debts and charges after expiration of period following notice.
  1.  The personal representative shall, as soon as practicable following appointment, make reasonably diligent efforts to ascertain the names and addresses of all persons believed to own or possess claims against a decedent’s estate.
  2.  Upon the expiration of the later to occur of four months after the date of the second publication of notice to creditors or one month after the service of the notice by ordinary mail upon all claimants whose identities are reasonably ascertainable, at their last known addresses and whose claims will not or may not be paid or otherwise satisfied during administration, the personal representative shall pay the debts and charges against the estate in accordance with this probate code. If it appears at any time that the estate is or may be insolvent, that there are insufficient funds on hand, or that there is other good and sufficient cause, the personal representative may report that fact to the court and apply for any order that the personal representative deems necessary.
[C51, §1370, 1371, 1374, 1376, 1378, 1379; R60, §2402, 2403, 2406, 2408, 2410, 2411; C73, §2418, 2419, 2422, 2424, 2426, 2427; C97, §3347, 3350, 3353; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §11969, 11973, 11976; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §635.65, 635.69, 635.71; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.434]
84 Acts, ch 1080, §13; 89 Acts, ch 35, §7; 2005 Acts, ch 38, §27; 2019 Acts, ch 24, §104

     
633.435  Debts and charges not filed.
  The personal representative may pay any valid debts and charges against the estate even though no claim for such debts and charges has been filed, but all such payments made by the personal representative shall be at the personal representative’s own peril.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.435]

     
633.436  General order for abatement.
  1.  Except as provided in sections 633.211 and 633.212, shares of the distributees shall abate, for the payment of debts and charges, federal estate taxes, legacies, the shares of children born or adopted after the making of a will, or the share of the surviving spouse who elects to take against the will, without any preference or priority as between real and personal property, in the following order:
  a.  Property not disposed of by the will;
  b.  Property devised to the residuary devisee, except property devised to a surviving spouse who takes under the will;
  c.  Property disposed of by the will, but not specifically devised and not devised to the residuary devisee, except property devised to a surviving spouse who takes under the will;
  d.  Property specifically devised, except property devised to a surviving spouse who takes under the will;
  e.  Property devised to a surviving spouse who takes under the will.
  2.  A general devise charged on any specific property or fund shall, for purposes of abatement, be deemed property specifically devised to the extent of the value of the property on which it is charged. Upon the failure or insufficiency of the property on which it is charged, it shall be deemed property not specifically devised to the extent of such failure or insufficiency.
[C51, §1284, 1285; R60, §2316, 2317; C73, §2334, 2335; C97, §3279; S13, §3279, 3279-a; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §11858, 11859; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §633.13, 633.14; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.436]
85 Acts, ch 19, §3; 2008 Acts, ch 1119, §19; 2010 Acts, ch 1138, §58; 2014 Acts, ch 1076, §22
Referred to in §633.278, 633.437

     
633.437  Contrary provision as to abatement.
  1.  When provisions of the will, trust or other testamentary instrument of the decedent provide explicitly for an order of abatement contrary to the provisions of section 633.436, the provisions of the will or other testamentary instrument shall determine the order of abatement.
  2.  Except as provided in subsection 1 of this section, if the provisions of the will, the testamentary plan, or the express or the implied purpose of the devise would be defeated by the order of abatement as provided in section 633.436, then upon application to the court by a fiduciary or a distributee, and after notice to all interested parties, the court shall determine the order for abatement of the shares of distributees in such other manner as may be found necessary to give effect to the intention of the testator. In order to change the order of abatement as provided in section 633.436, it will be necessary for the court to find it clear and convincing that the provisions of the will, the testamentary plan, or the express or implied purpose of the devise would be defeated by the order of abatement stated in section 633.436.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.437]
DENIAL AND CONTEST OF CLAIMS

     
633.438  General denial of claims.
  Where a claim has been filed, but not admitted in writing by the personal representative before a request for hearing has been given as hereinafter provided, the claim shall be considered as generally denied by the personal representative without any pleading on behalf of the personal representative.
[C73, §2410; C97, §3340; S13, §3340; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §11961; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §635.57; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.438]
2021 Acts, ch 23, §1
Referred to in §633.417, 633.666

     
633.439  Disallowance by personal representative.
  At any time after the filing of a claim against an estate, the personal representative may give the claimant and the claimant’s attorney of record, if any, written notice of disallowance of claim. The notice shall be given by certified mail addressed to the claimant at the address stated in the claim and to the claimant’s attorney of record, if any.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.439; 81 Acts, ch 193, §4]
Referred to in §633.417, 633.432, 633.440, 633.666

  
     
633.440  Contents of notice of disallowance.
  A notice of disallowance under section 633.439 shall advise the claimant that the claim has been disallowed and will be forever barred unless the claimant shall within twenty days after the date of mailing the notice, file a request for hearing on the claim with the clerk.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.440]
99 Acts, ch 56, §5; 2021 Acts, ch 23, §2; 2022 Acts, ch 1021, §164
Referred to in §633.417, 633.432, 633.666
Section amended

     
633.441  Proof of service.
  Proof of service of the notice of disallowance shall be made by affidavit, shall show the date and place of mailing, and shall be filed with the clerk.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.441]
Referred to in §633.417, 633.432, 633.666

     
633.442  Claims barred after twenty days.
  Unless the claimant shall within twenty days after the date of mailing the notice of disallowance, file a request for hearing with the clerk, the claim shall be deemed disallowed, and shall be forever barred.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.442]
2021 Acts, ch 23, §3
Referred to in §633.417, 633.432, 633.443, 633.666

     
633.443  Request for hearing by claimant.
  At the time of the filing of a claim against an estate, or at any time thereafter prior to the time that the claim may be barred by the provisions of section 633.442, or the approval of the final report of the personal representative after notice to the claimant, the claimant may file a request for hearing with the clerk.
[C51, §1359, 1361; R60, §2391, 2393; C73, §2408; C97, §3338; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §11959; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §635.55; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.443]
2021 Acts, ch 23, §4
Referred to in §633.417, 633.432, 633.666

     
633.444  Applicability of rules of civil procedure.
  The personal representative shall file a pre-answer motion or answer to a claim within twenty days from the filing of the request for hearing on the claim in the same manner as though the claim were a petition filed in an ordinary action, and thereafter, all provisions of law and rules of civil procedure applicable to motions, pleadings and the trial of ordinary actions shall apply; provided, however, that a restatement of such claim shall not be barred by the provisions of section 633.410.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.444]
2021 Acts, ch 23, §5
Referred to in §633.417, 633.432, 633.666

     
633.445  Offsets and counterclaims.
  At the time of the filing of an answer to a claim, the personal representative shall plead all offsets against the claim, and shall plead all counterclaims against the claimant of which the personal representative has knowledge. An offset or counterclaim may or may not diminish or defeat the recovery sought by the opposing party. It may claim relief exceeding the amount, or different in kind, from that sought in the claim.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.445]
Referred to in §633.417, 633.432, 633.666

     
633.446  Burden of proof.
  The burden of proving that a claim is unpaid shall not be placed upon the party filing a claim against the estate; but the personal representative may on the trial of the cause, subject the claimant to an examination on the question of payment or consideration, and the estate shall not be concluded or bound thereby.
[C97, §3340; S13, §3340; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §11962; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §635.58; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.446]
Referred to in §633.417, 633.432, 633.666

  
     
633.447  Trial and hearing.
  The trial of a claim and the offsets or counterclaims, if any, shall be to the court without a jury. However, the court may, in its discretion, either on its own motion or upon the motion of any party, submit the matter to a jury. In the event that the amount of the claim or a counterclaim exceeds the sum stated in section 631.1, subsection 1, either party shall be entitled to a jury trial, if a written demand is made as provided in the rules of civil procedure in relation to the trial of ordinary actions.
[C51, §1360, 1362, 1366; R60, §2392, 2394, 2398; C73, §2411, 2415; C97, §3341, 3344; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §11963, 11966; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §635.59, 635.62; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.447]
2019 Acts, ch 59, §217; 2021 Acts, ch 23, §6
Referred to in §633.417, 633.432, 633.666
See 
R.C.P. 1.902

  
     
633.448  Allowance and judgment.
  Upon the trial of a claim, offsets, and counterclaims, the amount owing by or to the estate, if any, shall be determined. A claim against the estate shall be allowed for the net amount. Judgment shall be rendered for any amount found to be due the estate. If a judgment is rendered against a claimant for any net amount, execution may issue in the same manner as on judgments in civil cases. The judgment against any interested party may be deducted from any amounts the estate owes to the interested party.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.448]
2021 Acts, ch 23, §7; 2022 Acts, ch 1032, §101
Referred to in §633.417, 633.432, 633.666
Section amended

     
633.449  Payment of federal estate taxes.
  All federal estate taxes, distinguished from state inheritance taxes, owing by the estate of a decedent shall be paid from the property of the estate, unless the will of the decedent, or other trust instrument, provides expressly to the contrary.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.449]
2008 Acts, ch 1119, §20; 2010 Acts, ch 1138, §59; 2014 Acts, ch 1076, §23
633.450 through 633.468Reserved.
PART 8
ACCOUNTING, DISTRIBUTION, FINAL REPORT,

AND DISCHARGE

  
     
633.469  Interlocutory report.
  1.  The personal representative may at any time file an interlocutory accounting to the court showing the condition of the estate, the estate’s debts and property, the amount of money received, and the disposition made of any of the assets of the estate.
  2.  The court may on application of any interested party, or on its own motion, order an interlocutory accounting at any time. Such an accounting shall embrace all matters directed by the court. The court may order such further accountings from time to time as the court may determine to be to the best interests of the estate.
[C51, §1422, 1423; R60, §2447, 2448; C73, §2469; C97, §3394, 3420; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §12042, 12043, 12070; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §638.2, 638.3, 638.33; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.469]
2019 Acts, ch 59, §218

     
633.470  Waiver of accounting.
  The distributee, if under no legal disability, may waive the accounting.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.470]

  
     
633.471  Right of retainer.
  When a distributee of an estate is indebted to the estate, or if a distributee takes as an heir of a deceased devisee indebted to the estate, the amount of such indebtedness, if due, or the present worth of the indebtedness, if not due, shall be treated as a setoff and retained by the personal representative out of any testate or intestate property, real or personal, of the estate to which such distributee is entitled. In intestate estates, the personal representative shall have the same right of setoff and retainer against an heir whose ancestor was indebted to the estate. The right of setoff and retainer shall be prior and superior to the rights of judgment creditors, heirs or assigns of such distributee.
[C51, §1383 – 1386; R60, §2415 – 2418; C73, §2431 – 2434; C97, §3357 – 3360; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §11980 – 11983; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §635.75 – 635.78; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.471]
2012 Acts, ch 1123, §13, 32

     
633.472  Property distributed in kind.
  Property not otherwise disposed of by the personal representative may be distributed in kind.
[C51, §1384, 1385, 1392; R60, §2416, 2417, 2424; C73, §2432, 2433, 2438; C97, §3358, 3359, 3364; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §11981, 11982, 11988; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §635.76, 635.77, 636.3; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.472]

     
633.473  Final settlement — time limit.
  Final settlement shall be made within three years, after the second publication of the notice to creditors, unless otherwise ordered by the court after notice to all interested parties.
[C51, §1393; R60, §2425; C73, §2439, 2469; C97, §3365, 3394; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §11989, 12044; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §636.4, 638.4; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.473]
Referred to in §635.8

  
     
633.474  Reserved. 

     
633.475  Compromise of personal taxes.
  For the purpose of facilitating the speedy settlement and distribution of estates, the county treasurer of such county, by and with the consent of the board of supervisors may compromise and agree upon the amount of personal taxes at any time due or to become due the county from an estate, and payment in accordance with such compromise or agreement shall be for the satisfaction of all taxes in such estate matter. No compensation shall be allowed any person because of such compromise or agreement.
[C39, §12781.1, 12781.2; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §682.35, 682.36; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.475]

     
633.476  Action against distributees — costs — tender.
  In an action against the distributees, where the judgment is to be against them in proportion to the respective amounts received by them from the estate, costs awarded against them shall be in like proportion, and anyone may tender the amount due from that distributee to the plaintiff, which shall have the same effect, as far as the distributee is concerned, as though that distributee were the sole defendant.
[C51, §1440, 1441; R60, §2465, 2466; C73, §2485, 2486; C97, §3408; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §12060; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §638.20; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.476]

     
633.477  Final report.
  Each personal representative shall, in the personal representative’s final report, set forth:
  1.  An accurate description of all the real estate of which the decedent died seized, stating the nature and extent of the decedent’s interest therein, which has not been sold and conveyed by the personal representative.
  2.  Whether the deceased died testate or intestate.
  3.  The name and place of residence of the surviving spouse, or that none survived the deceased.
  4.  In intestate estates, the name and place of residence of each of the heirs and their relationship to the deceased.
  5.  In testate estates, the name and place of residence of each of the devisees and their relationship to the deceased, and the name and residence of after-born children, if any, as defined in section 633.267.
  6.  Whether any legacy or devise remains a charge on the real estate, and, if so, the nature and amount thereof.
  7.  Whether any distributee is under any legal disability.
  8.  The name of the conservator or trustee for any distributee, and the court from which the letters were issued.
  9.  An accounting of all property coming into the hands of the personal representative and a detailed accounting of all cash receipts and disbursements. The accounting may be omitted if waived by all interested parties.
  10.  A statement as to whether or not all statutory requirements pertaining to taxes have been complied with including whether the federal estate tax due has been paid, whether a lien continues to exist for any federal estate tax, and whether inheritance tax was paid or a return was filed in this state.
  11.  Upon the request of the personal representative, an itemization of services performed, time spent for such services, and responsibilities assumed by the personal representative’s attorney for all estates of decedents dying after January 1, 1981. If the itemization is not included, there shall be set forth a statement that the personal representative was informed of the provisions of this subsection and did not request the itemization.
  12.  A statement as to whether all statutory requirements pertaining to claims have been complied with and a statement as to whether all claims, including charges, have been paid and whether a lien continues to exist on any property as security for any claim.
  13.  A statement as to whether the decedent left any genetic material, and if the decedent left genetic material, if the personal representative has reserved sufficient estate assets to fund the distribution to which posthumous heirs, if any, would be entitled to receive; that the personal representative will wait until two years after the decedent’s date of death to make final distributions; and that the personal representative will submit a supplemental report after such final distributions have been made.
[C73, §2491; C97, §3412; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §12071; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §638.34; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.477]
87 Acts, ch 54, §1; 89 Acts, ch 35, §8; 2005 Acts, ch 38, §28; 2011 Acts, ch 18, §4
Referred to in §633.479

     
633.478  Notice of application for discharge.
  A personal representative shall not be discharged from further duty or responsibility upon final settlement until notice of the final report or of an application for discharge has been served upon all persons interested, in accordance with section 633.40, unless notice is waived. An order prescribing notice may be made before or after the filing of the final report.
[C97, §3422; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §12073; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §638.36; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.478; 81 Acts, ch 193, §5]
Referred to in §633.479

  
     
633.479  Discharge.
  1.  Upon final settlement of an estate, an order shall be entered discharging the personal representative from further duties and responsibilities. The order approving the final report shall constitute a waiver of the omission from the final report of any of the recitals required in section 633.477.
  2.  a.  An order approving the final report and discharging the personal representative shall not be required if all of the following apply:
  (1)  All distributees otherwise entitled to notice are adults and are under no legal disability.
  (2)  All distributees have signed waivers of notice as provided in section 633.478.
  (3)  All distributees have signed statements of consent agreeing that the prayer of the final report shall constitute an order approving the final report and discharging the personal representative.
  (4)  All of the statements of consent are dated not more than thirty days prior to the date of the final report.
  (5)  Compliance with sections 422.27 and 450.58 have been fulfilled .
  (6)  Any required receipts, sworn statements, and certificates are on file. 
  b.  If the requirements of paragraph “a” have been met, final order shall not be required and the prayer of the final report shall be considered as granted and shall have the same force and effect as an order of discharge of the personal representative and an order approving the final report.
[C51, §1434; R60, §2459; C73, §2476; C97, §3400; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §12052; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §638.12; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.479]
83 Acts, ch 44, §1; 2003 Acts, ch 151, §54; 2004 Acts, ch 1073, §50; 2019 Acts, ch 59, §219
Referred to in §633.480

     
633.480  Certificate to county recorder for tax purposes with administration.
  After discharge as provided in section 633.479, the personal representative shall deliver to the county recorder of the county in which the real estate is situated a certificate pertaining to each parcel of real estate described in the final report of the personal representative which has not been sold by the personal representative. The certificate shall include the name and complete mailing address, as shown on the final report, of the individual or entity in whose name each parcel of real estate is to be taxed. The county recorder shall deliver the certificate to the county auditor as provided in section 558.58.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.480; 82 Acts, ch 1054, §2, ch 1118, §1]
84 Acts, ch 1221, §7; 91 Acts, ch 116, §19; 2001 Acts, ch 45, §10; 2003 Acts, ch 151, §55
Referred to in §633.481, 635.7

     
633.481  Certificate to county recorder for tax purposes without administration.
  When an inventory or report is filed under section 450.22, without administration of the estate of the decedent, the heir or heir’s attorney shall prepare and deliver to the county recorder of the county in which the real estate is situated a certificate pertaining to each parcel of real estate described in the inventory or report. Any fees for certificates or recording fees required by this section or section 633.480 shall be assessed as costs of administration. The fees for recording and indexing the instrument shall be as provided in section 331.604. The county recorder shall deliver the certificates to the county auditor as provided in section 558.58.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.481; 82 Acts, ch 1054, §3]
84 Acts, ch 1221, §8; 86 Acts, ch 1079, §6; 90 Acts, ch 1081, §4; 2003 Acts, ch 151, §56; 2009 Acts, ch 27, §37
Referred to in §635.7
633.482 through 633.486Reserved.
PART 9
REOPENING

     
633.487  Limitation on rights.
  No person, having been served with notice of the hearing upon the final report and accounting of a personal representative or having waived such notice, shall, after the entry of the final order approving the same and discharging the said personal representative, have any right to contest, in any proceeding, other than by appeal, the correctness or the legality of the inventory, the accounting, distribution, or other acts of the personal representative, or the list of heirs set forth in the final report of the personal representative, provided, however, that nothing contained in this section shall prohibit any action against the personal representative and the personal representative’s surety under the provisions of section 633.186 on account of any fraud committed by the personal representative.
[C97, §3422; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §12073; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §638.36; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.487]

     
633.488  Reopening settlement.
  Whenever a final report has been approved and a final accounting has been settled in the absence of any person adversely affected and without notice to the person, the hearing on such report and accounting may be reopened at any time within five years from the entry of the order approving the same, upon the application of such person, and, upon a hearing, after such notice as the court may prescribe to be served upon the personal representative and the distributees, the court may require a new accounting, or a redistribution from the distributees. In no event, however, shall any distributee be liable to account for more than the property distributed to that distributee. If any property of the estate shall have passed into the hands of good faith purchasers for value, the rights of such purchasers shall not, in any way, be affected.
[C51, §1431; R60, §2456; C73, §2475; C97, §3399; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §12051; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §638.11; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.488]

     
633.489  Reopening administration.
  Upon the petition of any interested person, the court may, with such notice as it may prescribe, order an estate reopened if other property be discovered, if any necessary act remains unperformed, or for any other proper cause appearing to the court. It may reappoint the personal representative, or appoint another personal representative, to administer any additional property or to perform other such acts as may be deemed necessary. The provisions of law as to original administration shall apply, insofar as applicable, to accomplish the purpose for which the estate is reopened, but a claim which is already barred can, in no event, be asserted in the reopened administration.
[S13, §3305; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §11892; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §633.48; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.489]
633.490 through 633.494Reserved.

SUBCHAPTER VIII
FOREIGN WILLS AND ANCILLARY ADMINISTRATION
PART 1
FOREIGN WILLS

     
633.495  Admission of wills of nonresidents.
  A will of a nonresident of this state, not probated in any other state or county, may be admitted to probate in any county of this state where either real or personal property of the deceased nonresident is located.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.495]

     
633.496  Foreign probated wills.
  A will probated in any other state or country shall be admitted to probate in this state upon the production of a copy thereof and of the original record of probate, authenticated by the certificate of the clerk of the court in which such probation was made, or, if there be no clerk, then by the certificate of the judge of such court, and by the seal of office of such officer if the officer or office has a seal.
[C51, §1296; R60, §2328; C73, §2351; C97, §3294; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §11877; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §633.33; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.496]

     
633.497  Foreign wills as a muniment of title.
  After the expiration of the five-year period from the date of the death of the decedent, an exemplified copy of a will which has not been denied probate in Iowa, and of the order admitting it to probate in a foreign state or country, may be recorded in the office of the county recorder of any county where real estate owned by the testator is located. The record of such a will and of the order admitting the will to probate shall operate to dispose of said property as though said will had been admitted to probate in this state. Nothing contained in this section shall operate to defeat the rights, acquired prior to such record, of purchasers for value whose rights are shown of record.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.497]

     
633.498  Foreign wills — procedure.
  All provisions of law relating to the carrying of domestic wills into effect after their probate shall apply, so far as applicable, to foreign wills admitted to probate in this state.
[C73, §2352; C97, §3295; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §11878; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §633.34; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.498]

633.499  Reserved.
PART 2
ANCILLARY ADMINISTRATION

     
633.500  Appointment of foreign administrator.
  Notwithstanding any other provision of this probate code, if administration of the estate of a deceased intestate nonresident has been granted in accordance with the law of the state where the nonresident resided, the duly qualified administrator of the estate of the nonresident may upon application be appointed administrator in this state, unless another has already been appointed and provided that a resident administrator be appointed to serve with the nonresident administrator; provided further, however, that for good cause shown, the court may appoint the nonresident administrator to act alone without the appointment of a resident administrator.
[C51, §1309; R60, §2341; C73, §2368; C97, §3306; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §11894; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §633.50; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.500]
2005 Acts, ch 38, §51
Referred to in §633.501

     
633.501  Application for appointment of foreign administrator.
  The application for any such appointment under section 633.500 shall contain the name and address of the foreign administrator and of the resident administrator, if any, to be appointed, and shall be accompanied by a certificate of the clerk of the court of original jurisdiction certifying that such estate is under administration, and a certification of the original letters or other authority authorizing the nonresident administrator to act in that estate.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.501]

     
633.502  Appointment of foreign fiduciary.
  Notwithstanding any other provision of this probate code, the duly qualified fiduciary under a will admitted to probate in another state, may upon application be appointed fiduciary in this state, after said will has been admitted to probate in this state, provided that a resident fiduciary be appointed to serve with the nonresident fiduciary; provided further, however, that, for good cause shown, the court may appoint, the nonresident fiduciary to act alone without the appointment of a resident fiduciary.
[C51, §1310; R60, §2342; C73, §2369; C97, §3306; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §11895; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §633.51; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.502]
2005 Acts, ch 38, §51

     
633.503  Application for appointment of foreign executor or trustee.
  The application for appointment of a nonresident executor or trustee shall include the name and address of the nonresident executor or trustee, and the name and address of the resident executor or trustee, if any, to be appointed. It shall be accompanied by a certificate of the clerk of the foreign court granting the original letters or other authority conferring the power upon the nonresident executor or trustee to act as such. The application shall also state the cause for the appointment of the nonresident executor or trustee to act as the sole executor or trustee, if such appointment is desired. When the will has not been admitted to probate in any other state, the application shall include the name and address of the executor or trustee, if any, named in the will of the nonresident, and of the resident executor or trustee to be appointed.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.503]

     
633.504  Removal of property — payment of claims.
  In all estates of nonresidents, being administered in this state, the court may require payment of all claims filed and allowed belonging to residents of this state, and all legacies or distributive shares payable to residents of this state, before allowing any of the property in the estate to be removed from the state.
[C97, §3306; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §11896; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §633.52; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.504]
633.505 through 633.509Reserved.

SUBCHAPTER IX
ESTATES OF ABSENTEES

     
633.510  Administration authorized — petition.
  Administration may be had upon the estate of an absentee. A petition therefor must be filed in the office of the clerk and must allege:
  1.  Whether the absentee was a resident or a nonresident of this state, and the absentee’s address at the absentee’s last known domicile; that the absentee has, without known cause, left the absentee’s usual place of residence, and concealed the absentee’s whereabouts from the absentee’s family, for a period of five years.
  2.  That the said absentee has property in this state, describing it with reasonable certainty, all or part of which is situated in the county in which the petition is filed.
  3.  The names of the persons, so far as known to the petitioner, who would be entitled to share in the estate of the absentee if the absentee were dead.
  4.  In the case of a nonresident, whether administration upon the estate has been granted in the state of last known domicile.
  5.  Facts showing that the petitioner is a party who would be entitled to administer the estate of the said absentee in case the absentee were known to be dead.
[C97, §3307; S13, §3307; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §11901; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §634.1; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.510]
2014 Acts, ch 1026, §130

     
633.511  Notice.
  Upon filing of such petition, the court shall, by a proper order, prescribe the notice and the return day therein, which shall be addressed to and served upon such absentee and the alleged distributees of the absentee’s estate.
[C97, §3307; S13, §3307; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §11902; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §634.2; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.511]

     
633.512  Service.
  Said notice shall in all cases be served:
  1.  By publication in the county in which the petition is filed, once each week for three consecutive weeks, in a newspaper designated by the court; and
  2.  Upon all the alleged distributees of the estate of said absentee by ordinary mail addressed to them at their last known address.
[C97, §3307; S13, §3307; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §11903; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §634.3; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.512]

     
633.513  Proof of service — filing.
  Proof of the publication and service of such notice shall be filed with the clerk aforesaid on or before the day set for hearing.
[C97, §3307; S13, §3307; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §11904; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §634.4; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.513]

     
633.514  Hearing — continuance — orders.
  If, on the day set for hearing, the absentee fails to appear, the court shall appoint some disinterested person as guardian ad litem to appear for the absentee and all distributees not appearing, and said cause shall thereupon stand continued for twenty days. The guardian ad litem shall be a practicing attorney. The court shall have authority to make further continuance upon proper showing. The guardian ad litem shall investigate the matter and things alleged in the petition. Upon the further hearing, the court shall hear the proofs, and, if satisfied of the truth of the allegations of the petition, shall enter an order establishing the death of the absentee as a matter of law.
[C97, §3307; S13, §3307; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §11905; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §634.5; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.514]
90 Acts, ch 1271, §1514
Referred to in §633.515

     
633.515  Administration.
  Upon the entry of such further order under section 633.514, administration of the estate of such absentee, whether testate or intestate, shall proceed as provided herein for the administration of the estates of other decedents, notwithstanding the provisions of section 633.330.
[S13, §3307, 3307-a; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §11906 – 11910; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §634.6 – 634.10; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.515]

     
633.516  Rights of absentee barred — sale by spouse.
  An order establishing the death of an absentee forever bars the rights of homestead and distributive share of the absentee, and the absentee’s interest in and to any real estate owned or held by the spouse of the absentee, and in which the spouse may have a legal or equitable interest. Conveyance of any such real estate by the spouse, after four months from date of publication of second notice of the appointment of a personal representative, is free and clear of any claim or right of homestead or distributive share on the part of the absentee.
[S13, §3307-b; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §11911; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §634.11; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.516]
84 Acts, ch 1080, §14

     
633.517  Missing soldiers or sailors — presumption of death.
  1.  A written finding of presumed death, made by the secretary of defense, or other officer or employee of the United States authorized to make such finding, pursuant to the federal Missing Persons Act, 56 Stat. 143, 1092, and  Pub. L. No. 408, Ch. 371, 2d Session 78th Congress codified at 10 U.S.C. §1501 et seq., as now or hereafter amended, or a duly certified copy of such a finding, shall be received in any court, office, or other place in this state, as evidence of the death of the person therein found to be dead, and of the date, circumstances, and place of the disappearance.
  2.  An official written report or record, or a duly certified copy thereof, that a person is missing, missing in action, interned in a neutral country, or beleaguered, besieged, or captured by an enemy, or is dead, or is alive, made by any officer or employee of the United States authorized by the Act referred to in subsection 1 of this section, or by any other law of the United States, to make such a report or record, shall be received in any court, office or other place in this state as evidence that such person is missing, missing in action, interned in a neutral country, or beleaguered, besieged, or captured by an enemy, or is dead, or is alive, as the case may be.
  3.  For the purposes of subsections 1 and 2 of this section, any finding, report, or record, or duly certified copy thereof, purporting to have been signed by such an officer or employee of the United States as is described in said subsections, shall prima facie be deemed to have been signed and issued by such an officer or employee pursuant to law, and the person signing the same shall prima facie be deemed to have acted within the scope of the person’s authority. If a copy purports to have been certified by a person authorized by law to certify the same, such certified copy shall be prima facie evidence of the person’s authority so to certify.
[C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §634.12; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.517]
2010 Acts, ch 1061, §77; 2015 Acts, ch 29, §108

     
633.518  Presumption of death — petition and inquiry.
  If a petition is presented by an interested person to a district judge or magistrate alleging that a designated person has disappeared and after a diligent search cannot be found, and if it appears to the satisfaction of the judge or magistrate that the circumstances surrounding the disappearance afford reasonable grounds for the belief that the person has suffered death from accidental or other violent means, the judge or magistrate shall summon and impanel a jury of six qualified persons to inquire into the facts surrounding and the presumption to be raised from the disappearance. If no one submits a petition within forty days of the reported disappearance, a judge or magistrate may submit the petition from personal knowledge of the case.
2002 Acts, ch 1108, §28

     
633.519  Presumption of death — verdict and entry of order.
  If a jury in an inquiry regarding the disappearance of an individual renders a unanimous verdict in writing that sufficient evidence has been presented to them from which it fairly may be presumed that the missing person has met death, and if the judge or magistrate concurs in the verdict, then, after a period of six months has elapsed, the person shall be presumed to be dead and the judge or magistrate shall enter an order to that effect. However, in cases where there is clear and convincing evidence of the presumed death, the judge or magistrate may enter the order prior to the elapsing of the six-month period.
2002 Acts, ch 1108, §29

     
633.520  Presumption of death — natural or man-made disaster.
  A written finding of presumed death of a person resulting from a natural or man-made disaster, made by a local, state, or federal officer or employee authorized to make such a finding, or a duly certified copy of such a finding, shall be received by a judge or magistrate as evidence of the death of the person therein found to be dead, and of the date, circumstances, and place of the disappearance. Upon receipt of such evidence the judge or magistrate may enter an order of presumption of death of the person. Upon presentation of a certified court order, a certificate of death shall be filed pursuant to section 144.26.
2002 Acts, ch 1108, §30
633.521 and 633.522Reserved.

SUBCHAPTER X
UNIFORM SIMULTANEOUS DEATH ACT

     
633.523  No sufficient evidence of survivorship.
  Where the title to property or the devolution thereof depends upon priority of death, and there is no sufficient evidence that the persons have died otherwise than simultaneously, the property of each person shall be disposed of as if the person had survived, except as provided otherwise in sections 633.524 through 633.527.
[C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §637.1; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.523]
2021 Acts, ch 80, §363
Referred to in §633.527, 633.528, 633A.4704

     
633.524  Beneficiaries of another person’s disposition of property.
  Where two or more beneficiaries are designated to take successively, by reason of survivorship, under another person’s disposition of property, and there is no sufficient evidence that these beneficiaries have died otherwise than simultaneously, the property thus disposed of shall be divided into as many equal portions as there are successive beneficiaries, and these portions shall be distributed respectively to those who would have taken in the event that each designated beneficiary had survived.
[C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §637.2; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.524]
Referred to in §633.523, 633.527, 633.528, 633A.4704

     
633.525  Joint tenants.
  Where there is no sufficient evidence that two joint tenants have died otherwise than simultaneously, the property so held shall be distributed one-half as if one had survived and one-half as if the other had survived. If there are more than two joint tenants and all of them have so died, the property thus distributed shall be in the proportion that one bears to the whole number of joint tenants.
[C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §637.3; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.525]
Referred to in §633.523, 633.528, 633A.4704

     
633.526  Insurance policies.
  Where the insured and the beneficiary in a policy of life or accident insurance have died, and there is no sufficient evidence that they have died otherwise than simultaneously, the proceeds of the policy shall be distributed as if the insured had survived the beneficiary.
[C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §637.4; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.526]
Referred to in §633.523, 633.527, 633.528, 633A.4704

     
633.527  Limitation of application.
  Sections 633.523, 633.524, and 633.526 shall not apply in the case of wills, living trusts, deeds, contracts of insurance, or other contracts wherein provision has been made for distribution of property different from the provisions of those sections.
[C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §637.6; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.527]
2003 Acts, ch 95, §5
Referred to in §633.523, 633.528, 633A.4704

  
     
633.528  Uniformity of interpretation.
  Sections 633.523 through 633.527 shall be so construed and interpreted as to effectuate their general purpose to make uniform the law relating to simultaneous death.
[C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §637.7; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.528]
2020 Acts, ch 1063, §347
Referred to in §633A.4704
633.529 through 633.534Reserved.

SUBCHAPTER XI
FELONIOUS DEATH

  
     
633.535  Person causing death or injury.
  1.  A person who intentionally and unjustifiably causes or procures the death of another shall not receive any property, benefit, or other interest by reason of the death as an heir, distributee, beneficiary, appointee, or in any other capacity whether the property, benefit, or other interest passed under any form of title registration, testamentary or nontestamentary instrument, intestacy, renunciation, or any other circumstance. The property, benefit, or other interest shall pass as if the person causing death died before the decedent.
  2.  A joint tenant who intentionally and unjustifiably causes or procures the death of another joint tenant which affects their interests so that the share of the decedent passes as the decedent’s property has no rights by survivorship. This provision applies to joint tenancies and tenancies by the entireties in real and personal property, joint and multiple-party accounts in banks, savings and loan associations, credit unions, and other institutions, and any other form of co-ownership with survivorship rights.
  3.  A named beneficiary of a bond, life insurance policy, or life insurance contract who intentionally and unjustifiably causes or procures the death of the principal obligee or person upon whose life the policy is issued or whose death generates the benefits under the bond or contract is not entitled to any benefit under the bond, policy, or contract, and the benefits become payable as though the person causing death had predeceased the decedent.
  4.  a.  A named beneficiary of a bond, life insurance policy, or life insurance contract convicted of a felony referenced in paragraph “d” that was perpetrated against the principal obligee or person upon whose life the policy is issued or whose death generates the benefits, in the six months immediately prior to the obligee’s or person’s death, is not entitled to any benefit under the bond, policy, or contract.
  b.  The procedure set out in section 633.536 applies and the benefits become payable as though the convicted obligee or person had predeceased the decedent.
  c.  However, a principal obligee or person upon whose life the policy is issued or whose death generates the benefits, in the six months immediately prior to the obligee’s or person’s death, may affirm by a signed, notarized affidavit that the beneficiary should receive any benefit under the bond, policy, or contract despite a felony conviction referenced in this subsection.
  d.  This subsection applies to a conviction for any of the following felonies:
  (1)  Any felony contained in chapter 707.
  (2)  Any felony contained in chapter 708.
  (3)  Any felony contained in chapter 709.
  (4)  Any felony contained in chapter 710.
  (5)  Any felony contained in chapter 710A.
[C97, §3386; S13, §3386; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §12032; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §636.47; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.535]
87 Acts, ch 9, §1; 88 Acts, ch 1134, §111; 2017 Acts, ch 123, §1, 2
Referred to in §633.536, 633.537

  
     
633.536  Procedure to deny benefits to a person causing death or injury.
  A determination under section 633.535 may be made by any court of competent jurisdiction by a preponderance of the evidence separate and apart from any criminal proceeding arising from the death. However, such a civil proceeding shall not proceed to trial, and the person causing death is not required to submit to discovery in such a civil proceeding until the criminal proceeding has been finally determined by the trial court, or in the event no criminal charge has been brought, until six months after the date of death. A person convicted of murder or voluntary manslaughter of the decedent is conclusively presumed to have intentionally and unjustifiably caused the death for purposes of this section and section 633.535.
[C97, §3386; S13, §3386; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §12033; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §636.48; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.536]
87 Acts, ch 9, §2
Referred to in §633.535

     
633.537  Third party nonliability.
  Any insurance company, bank, or other obligor making payment according to the terms of its policy or obligation is not liable by reason of section 633.535 unless prior to payment it has received at its home office or principal address written notice of the claimed applicability of section 633.535.
[C97, §3386; S13, §3386; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §12034; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §636.49; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.537]
87 Acts, ch 9, §3
633.538 through 633.542Reserved.

SUBCHAPTER XII
PROCEEDINGS FOR ESCHEAT

     
633.543  Proceedings for escheat.
  When the court has reason to believe that any property of the estate of a decedent within the county should by law escheat, the court must forthwith inform the attorney general of the state of Iowa thereof, and appoint some suitable person as personal representative to take charge of such property, unless a personal representative has already been appointed.
[C51, §1443; R60, §2468; C73, §2461; C97, §3388; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §12036; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §636.51; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.543]

     
633.544  Notice to persons interested.
  The personal representative must give such notice of the death of the deceased, and of the amount and kind of property left by the decedent within the state, as, in the opinion of the court appointing the personal representative shall be best calculated to notify those interested, or supposed to be interested, in the property.
[C51, §1444; R60, §2469; C73, §2462; C97, §3389; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §12037; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §636.52; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.544]

     
633.545  Sale — proceeds.
  If within six months from the giving of notice, a claimant does not appear, the property may be sold and the proceeds paid over by the personal representative to the department of administrative services for the benefit of the permanent school fund.
[C51, §1445; R60, §2470; C73, §2463; C97, §3390; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §12038; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §636.53; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.545]
83 Acts, ch 185, §56, 62; 88 Acts, ch 1134, §112; 2003 Acts, ch 145, §286

     
633.546  Payment to person entitled.
  The money or any portion of it shall be paid at any time within ten years after the sale of the property or the appropriation of the money, but not afterwards, to anyone showing entitlement thereto.
[C51, §1446; R60, §2471; C73, §2464; C97, §3391; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §12039; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §636.54; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.546]
633.547 through 633.550Reserved.

SUBCHAPTER XIII
OPENING GUARDIANSHIPS FOR ADULTS AND CONSERVATORSHIPS FOR ADULTS AND MINORS
PART 1
GENERAL PROVISIONS

  
     
633.551  General provisions.
  1.  The determination of incompetency of the adult respondent to a petition for guardianship or conservatorship or an adult subject to guardianship or conservatorship shall be supported by clear and convincing evidence.
  2.  The burden of persuasion is on the petitioner in an initial proceeding to appoint a guardian or conservator. In a proceeding to modify or terminate a guardianship or conservatorship, if the guardian or conservator is the petitioner, the burden of persuasion remains with the guardian or conservator. In a proceeding to terminate a guardianship or conservatorship, if the protected person is the petitioner, the protected person shall make a prima facie showing of some decision-making capacity. Once a prima facie showing is made, the burden of persuasion is on the guardian or conservator to show by clear and convincing evidence that the protected person is incompetent.
  3.  In determining whether a guardianship or conservatorship is to be established, modified, or terminated, the district court shall consider if a limited guardianship or conservatorship pursuant to section 633.635 or 633.637 is appropriate. In making the determination, the court shall make findings of fact to support the powers conferred on the guardian or conservator.
  4.  In proceedings to establish, modify, or terminate a guardianship or conservatorship, in determining if the respondent or protected person is incompetent as defined in section 633.3, the court shall consider credible evidence as to whether there are other less restrictive alternatives, including third-party assistance, that would meet the needs of the respondent or the protected person. However, neither party to the action shall have the burden to produce such evidence relating to other less restrictive alternatives, including but not limited to third-party assistance.
  5.  Except as otherwise provided in sections 633.672 and 633.673, in proceedings to establish a guardianship or conservatorship, the costs, including attorney fees, court visitor fees, and expert witness fees, shall be assessed against the respondent or the respondent’s estate unless the proceeding is dismissed either voluntarily or involuntarily, in which case fees and costs may be assessed against the petitioner for good cause shown.
  6.  Except as otherwise provided in this subchapter, the Iowa rules of civil procedure shall govern proceedings to establish, modify, or terminate a guardianship or conservatorship.
97 Acts, ch 178, §4; 2007 Acts, ch 134, §15, 28; 2019 Acts, ch 57, §9, 43, 44; 2020 Acts, ch 1062, §66
Referred to in §633.552, 633.553, 633.635, 633.675, 633.717
2019 amendment takes effect January 1, 2020, and applies to guardianships and guardianship proceedings for adults and conservatorships and conservatorship proceedings for adults and minors established or pending before, on, or after that date; 2019 Acts, ch 57, §43, 44
PART 2
APPOINTMENT OF GUARDIANS AND CONSERVATORS — MEDIATION IN GUARDIANSHIPS AND CONSERVATORSHIP ACTIONS

  
     
633.552  Basis for appointment of guardian for an adult.
  1.  On petition and after notice and hearing, the court may appoint a guardian for an adult if the court finds by clear and convincing evidence that all of the following are true:
  a.  The decision-making capacity of the respondent is so impaired that the respondent is unable to care for the respondent’s safety, or to provide for necessities such as food, shelter, clothing, or medical care without which physical injury or illness may occur.
  b.  The appointment of a guardian is in the best interest of the respondent.
  2.  Section 633.551 applies to the appointment of a guardian under subsection 1.
  3.  If the court appoints a guardian based upon the mental incapacity of the protected person because the protected person has an intellectual disability, as defined in section 4.1, the court shall make a separate determination as to the protected person’s competency to vote. The court shall find a protected person incompetent to vote only upon determining that the person lacks sufficient mental capacity to comprehend and exercise the right to vote.
2019 Acts, ch 57, §10, 43, 44
Referred to in §48A.2, 229.27, 235B.18, 622.10, 633.567, 633.569, 633.635, 633.675, 633B.102
Former §633.552 repealed effective January 1, 2020, by 2019 Acts, ch 57, §41, 43
Section takes effect January 1, 2020, and applies to guardianships and guardianship proceedings for adults and conservatorships and conservatorship proceedings for adults and minors established or pending before, on, or after that date; 2019 Acts, ch 57, §43, 44

  
     
633.553  Basis for appointment of conservator for an adult.
  1.  On petition and after notice and hearing, the court may appoint a conservator for an adult if the court finds by clear and convincing evidence that both of the following are true:
  a.  The decision-making capacity of the respondent is so impaired that the respondent is unable to make, communicate, or carry out important decisions concerning the respondent’s financial affairs.
  b.  The appointment of a conservator is in the best interest of the respondent.
  2.  Section 633.551 applies to the appointment of a conservatorship under subsection 1.
2019 Acts, ch 57, §11, 43, 44
Referred to in §633.567, 633.569, 633.675, 633B.102
Section takes effect January 1, 2020, and applies to guardianships and guardianship proceedings for adults and conservatorships and conservatorship proceedings for adults and minors established or pending before, on, or after that date; 2019 Acts, ch 57, §43, 44

  
     
633.554  Basis for appointment of conservator for a minor.
  On petition and after notice, the court may appoint a conservator for a minor if the court finds by a preponderance of the evidence that the appointment is in the best interest of the minor and any of the following is true:
  1.  The minor has funds or other property requiring management or protection that otherwise cannot be provided.
  2.  The minor has or may have financial affairs that may be put at unreasonable risk or hindered because of the minor’s age.
  3.  A conservator is needed to obtain or provide funds or other property.
2019 Acts, ch 57, §12, 43, 44
Referred to in §633.569, 633.675, 633B.102
Former §633.554 repealed effective January 1, 2020, by 2019 Acts, ch 57, §41, 43
Section takes effect January 1, 2020, and applies to guardianships and guardianship proceedings for adults and conservatorships and conservatorship proceedings for adults and minors established or pending before, on, or after that date; 2019 Acts, ch 57, §43, 44

  
     
633.555  Procedure in lieu of conservatorship for a minor.
  If a conservator has not been appointed for a minor, money due a minor or other property to which a minor is entitled, not exceeding in the aggregate twenty-five thousand dollars in value, shall be paid or delivered to a custodian under any uniform transfers to minors Act. The written receipt of the custodian constitutes an acquittance of the person making the payment of money or delivery of property.
[C51, §1493, 1494; R60, §2545, 2546; C73, §2243; C97, §3194; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §12575; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §668.3; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.574; 82 Acts, ch 1052, §2]
84 Acts, ch 1067, §48; 95 Acts, ch 63, §6; 2005 Acts, ch 38, §29; 2019 Acts, ch 57, §28, 42 – 44
C2020, §633.555
See also chapter 565B, §633.108, 633.681
Former §633.555 repealed effective January 1, 2020, by 
2019 Acts, ch 57, §41, 43
Section transferred from §633.574 in Code 2020 pursuant to directive in 
2019 Acts, ch 57, §42
2019 amendments are effective January 1, 2020, and apply to guardianships and guardianship proceedings for adults and conservatorships and conservatorship proceedings for adults and minors established or pending before, on, or after that date; 2019 Acts, ch 57, §43, 44

  
     
633.556  Petition for appointment of guardian or conservator for an adult.
  1.  A formal judicial proceeding to determine whether to appoint a guardian or conservator for an adult shall be initiated by the filing of a verified petition by a person with an interest in the welfare of the adult, which may include the adult who is the subject of the petition.
  2.  The petition shall contain a concise statement of the factual basis for the petition.
  3.  The petition shall contain a concise statement of why there is no less restrictive alternative to the appointment of a guardian or a conservator.
  4.  The petition shall list the name and address of the petitioner and the petitioner’s relationship to the respondent.
  5.  The petition shall list the name and address, to the extent known, of the following:
  a.  The name and address of the proposed guardian and the reason the proposed guardian should be selected.
  b.  Any spouse of the respondent.
  c.  Any adult children of the respondent.
  d.  Any parents of the respondent.
  e.  Any adult, who has had the primary care of the respondent or with whom the respondent has lived for at least six months prior to the filing of the petition, or any institution or facility where the respondent has resided for at least six months prior to the filing of the petition.
  f.  Any legal representative or representative payee of the respondent.
  g.  Any person designated as an attorney in fact in a durable power of attorney for health care which is valid under chapter 144B, or any person designated as an agent in a durable power of attorney which is valid under chapter 633B.
  6.  Any additional persons who may have an interest in the proceeding may be listed in an affidavit attached to the petition.
  7.  If the petition requests the appointment of a conservator, the petition shall state the estimated present value of the real estate owned or to be owned by the respondent, the estimated value of the personal property owned or to be owned by the respondent, and the estimated gross annual income of the respondent.
  8.  The petition shall provide a brief description of the respondent’s alleged functional limitations that make the respondent unable to communicate or carry out important decisions concerning the respondent’s financial affairs.
  9.  Any additional information relevant to the proceeding may be included in an affidavit attached to the petition.
2019 Acts, ch 57, §13, 43, 44
Referred to in §229.27, 232D.311, 235B.18, 235B.19, 633.558, 633.634, 633.717
Former §633.556 repealed effective January 1, 2020, by 2019 Acts, ch 57, §41, 43
Section takes effect January 1, 2020, and applies to guardianships and guardianship proceedings for adults and conservatorships and conservatorship proceedings for adults and minors established or pending before, on, or after that date; 2019 Acts, ch 57, §43, 44

  
     
633.557  Petition for appointment of a conservator for a minor.
  1.  A formal judicial proceeding to determine whether to appoint a conservator for a minor shall be initiated by the filing of a verified petition by a person with an interest in the welfare of the minor.
  2.  The petition shall contain a concise statement of the factual basis for the petition.
  3.  The petition shall state the following to the extent known:
  a.  The name, age, and address of the minor.
  b.  The name and address of the petitioner and the petitioner’s relationship to the minor.
  c.  The name and address of the proposed conservator and the reason the proposed conservator should be selected.
  d.  If the petitioner, or the proposed conservator, is not the parent or parents having legal custody of the minor, the name and address, to the extent known, of the following:
  (1)  The parent or parents having legal custody of the minor.
  (2)  Any adult who has had the primary care of the minor or with whom the minor has lived for at least six months prior to the filing of the petition, or any institution or facility where the minor has resided for at least six months prior to the filing of the petition.
2019 Acts, ch 57, §14, 43, 44
Referred to in §232D.105, 633.559, 633.634
Former §633.557 repealed effective January 1, 2020, by 2019 Acts, ch 57, §41, 43
Section takes effect January 1, 2020, and applies to guardianships and guardianship proceedings for adults and conservatorships and conservatorship proceedings for adults and minors established or pending before, on, or after that date; 2019 Acts, ch 57, §43, 44

  
     
633.558  Notice to adult respondent.
  1.  The filing of a petition filed pursuant to section 633.556 shall be served upon the adult respondent in the manner of an original notice in accordance with the Iowa rules of civil procedure governing such notice. Notice to the attorney representing the respondent, if any, is notice to the respondent.
  2.  Notice shall be served upon other known persons listed in the petition in the manner prescribed by the court, which may be notice by mail in accordance with the Iowa rules of civil procedure. Failure of such persons to receive actual notice does not constitute a jurisdictional defect precluding the appointment of a guardian or conservator by the court.
  3.  Notice of the filing of a petition given to persons under subsection 2  shall include a statement that such persons may register to receive notice of the hearing on the petition and other proceedings and the manner of such registration.
2019 Acts, ch 57, §15, 43, 44; 2020 Acts, ch 1062, §67
Referred to in §229.27, 235B.18, 633.570
Service of original notice, 
R.C.P. 1.302 – 1.315
Former §633.558 repealed effective January 1, 2020, by 2019 Acts, ch 57, §41, 43
Section takes effect January 1, 2020, and applies to guardianships and guardianship proceedings for adults and conservatorships and conservatorship proceedings for adults and minors established or pending before, on, or after that date; 2019 Acts, ch 57, §43, 44

  
     
633.559  Notice to minor respondent.
  1.  The filing of a petition pursuant to section 633.557 shall be served upon a minor respondent in the manner of an original notice in accordance with the Iowa rules of civil procedure governing such notice. Notice to the attorney representing the minor, if any, is notice to the minor.
  2.  Notice shall also be served upon the known parent or parents listed in the petition in accordance with the Iowa rules of civil procedure.
  3.  Notice shall be served upon other known persons listed in the petition in the manner prescribed by the court, which may be notice by mail in accordance with the Iowa rules of civil procedure. Failure of such persons to receive actual notice does not constitute a jurisdictional defect precluding the appointment of a conservator by the court.
  4.  Notice of the filing of a petition given to persons under subsections 2 and 3 shall include a statement that the recipient of the notice may register to receive notice of the hearing on the petition and other proceedings and the manner of such registration.
2019 Acts, ch 57, §16, 43, 44
Referred to in §633.570
Service of original notice, 
R.C.P. 1.302 – 1.315
Former §633.559 repealed effective January 1, 2020, by 2019 Acts, ch 56, §43, 44 and 2019 Acts, ch 57, §41, 43
Section takes effect January 1, 2020, and applies to guardianships and guardianship proceedings for adults and conservatorships and conservatorship proceedings for adults and minors established or pending before, on, or after that date; 2019 Acts, ch 57, §43, 44

  
     
633.560  Hearing.
  1.  The court shall fix the time and place of hearing on a petition and shall prescribe a time not less than twenty days after the date the notice is served unless the court finds there is good cause shown to shorten the time period to less than twenty days pursuant to section 633.40. The court shall also prescribe the manner of service of the notice of such hearing pursuant to section 633.40.
  2.  The respondent shall be entitled to attend the hearing on the petition and all other proceedings. The court shall make reasonable accommodations to enable the respondent to attend the hearing and all other proceedings. The court may waive the respondent’s attendance for good cause shown. The court shall make a record of the reason for a respondent’s nonattendance.
  3.  The court shall require the proposed guardian or conservator to attend the hearing on the petition but the court may excuse the proposed guardian’s attendance for good cause shown.
  4.  The court shall require the court visitor as described in section 633.562, if any, to attend the hearing but the court may excuse the court visitor’s attendance for good cause shown.
  5.  Any person with an interest in the welfare of the respondent may submit a written application to the court requesting permission to participate in the hearing on the petition and other proceedings. The court may grant the request if the court finds that the person’s participation is in the best interest of the respondent. The court may impose appropriate conditions on the person’s participation.
  6.  A complete record of the hearing shall be made.
2019 Acts, ch 57, §17, 43, 44
Referred to in §229.27, 235B.18
Former §633.560 transferred to §633.568; 
2019 Acts, ch 57, §42
Section takes effect January 1, 2020, and applies to guardianships and guardianship proceedings for adults and conservatorships and conservatorship proceedings for adults and minors established or pending before, on, or after that date; 2019 Acts, ch 57, §43, 44

  
     
633.560A  Mediation.
  1.  The district court may, on its own motion or on the motion of any party, order the parties to participate in mediation in any guardianship or conservatorship action. Mediation performed under this section shall comply with the provisions of chapter 679C. The court shall, upon application of a party, grant a waiver from any court-ordered mediation under this section if the party demonstrates that a history of domestic abuse exists similarly as considered in section 598.41, subsection 3, paragraph “j”. The court may, upon application of a party, grant a waiver from any court-ordered mediation if the action involves elder abuse pursuant to chapter 235F.
  2.  Mediation shall comply with all of the following standards:
  a.  The parties must participate in good faith. Participation in mediation shall include attendance at a mediation session with the mediator and the parties to the action, listening to the mediator’s explanation of the mediation process, presentation of one party’s view of the case, and listening to the response of the other party. Participation in mediation does not require that the parties reach an agreement.
  b.  Unless the parties agree upon a mediator, the court shall appoint a mediator. Any mediator appointed by the court shall meet the qualifications established in this section. 
  c.  Parties to the mediation shall have the right to representation by an attorney at all times.
  d.  The parties to the mediation shall present any agreement reached through the mediation to their attorneys, if any. A mediation agreement reached by the parties shall not be enforceable until approved by the court.
  e.  The costs of mediation shall be borne by the parties, as agreed to by the parties, or as ordered by the court, and may be taxed as court costs. 
  3.  A mediator appointed by the court acting pursuant to this section shall have the following qualifications:
  a.  Completed a one-hour internet seminar or live session regarding the external resources available to a respondent with particular focus on resources for older persons.
  b.  A minimum of twenty-five hours of general mediation training.
  c.  Either of the following:
  (1)  Fifteen hours of probate-specific or elder-specific mediation training.
  (2)  Ten continuous years of practice in Iowa as a licensed attorney with the greater of four hundred hours or forty percent of the total hours of law practice per year being devoted to matters concerning wills, trusts, and estate work for each of the ten continuous years.
2019 Acts, ch 57, §19, 43, 44; 2020 Acts, ch 1063, §348
Section takes effect January 1, 2020, and applies to guardianships and guardianship proceedings for adults and conservatorships and conservatorship proceedings for adults and minors established or pending before, on, or after that date; 2019 Acts, ch 57, §43, 44

  
     
633.561  Appointment and role of attorney for respondent.
  1.  In a proceeding for the appointment of a guardian or conservator for an adult or a conservator for a minor:
  a.  If the respondent is an adult and is not the petitioner, the respondent is entitled to representation by an attorney. Upon the filing of the petition, the court shall appoint an attorney to represent the respondent, set a hearing on the petition, and provide for notice of the appointment of counsel and the date for hearing.
  b.  If the respondent is an adult under a standby petition, the court shall determine whether, under the circumstances of the case, the respondent is entitled to representation. The determination regarding representation may be made with or without notice to the respondent, as the court deems necessary. If the court determines that the respondent is entitled to representation, the court shall appoint an attorney to represent the respondent. After making the determination regarding representation, the court shall set a hearing on the petition, and provide for notice on the determination regarding representation and the date for hearing.
  c.  The court may take action under paragraph “a” or “b” prior to the service of the original notice upon the respondent.
  d.  The court may reconsider the determination regarding representation upon application by any interested person.
  e.  The court may discharge the attorney appointed by the court if it appears upon the application of the respondent or any other interested person that the respondent has privately retained an attorney who has filed an appearance on behalf of the respondent.
  2.  The court shall ensure that all respondents entitled to representation have been provided notice of the right to representation and right to be personally present at all proceedings and shall make findings of fact in any order of disposition setting out the manner in which notification was provided.
  3.  If the respondent is entitled to representation and is indigent or incapable of requesting counsel, the court shall appoint an attorney to represent the respondent. The cost of court appointed counsel for indigents shall be assessed against the county in which the proceedings are pending. For the purposes of this subsection, the court shall find a person is indigent if the person’s income and resources do not exceed one hundred fifty percent of the federal poverty level or the person would be unable to pay such costs without prejudicing the person’s financial ability to provide economic necessities for the person or the person’s dependents.
  4.  An attorney appointed pursuant to this section shall:
  a.  Ensure that the respondent has been properly advised of the nature and purpose of the proceeding.
  b.  Advocate for the wishes of the respondent to the extent those wishes are reasonably ascertainable. If the respondent’s wishes are not reasonably ascertainable, the attorney shall advocate for the least restrictive alternative consistent with the respondent’s best interests.
  c.  Ensure that the respondent has been properly advised of the respondent’s rights in a guardianship or conservatorship proceeding.
  d.  Personally interview the respondent.
  e.  File a written report stating whether there is a return on file showing that proper service on the respondent has been made and also stating that specific compliance with paragraphs “a” through “d” has been made or stating the inability to comply by reason of the respondent’s condition.
  f.  Ensure that the guardianship or conservatorship procedures conform to the statutory and due process requirements of Iowa law.
  5.  In the event that an order of appointment is entered, the attorney appointed pursuant to this section, to the extent possible, shall:
  a.  Inform the respondent of the effects of the order entered for appointment of guardian or conservator.
  b.  Advise the respondent of the respondent’s rights to petition for modification or termination of the guardianship or conservatorship.
  c.  Advise the respondent of the rights retained by the respondent.
  6.  If the court determines that it would be in the respondent’s best interest to have legal representation with respect to any proceedings in a guardianship or conservatorship, the court may appoint an attorney to represent the respondent at the expense of the respondent or the respondent’s estate, or if the respondent is indigent the cost of the court appointed attorney shall be assessed against the county in which the proceedings are pending.
  7.  If the court determines upon application that it is appropriate or necessary, the court may order that the attorney appointed pursuant to this section be given copies of and access to the respondent’s health information by describing with reasonable specificity the health information to be disclosed or accessed, for the purpose of fulfilling the attorney’s responsibilities pursuant to this section.
84 Acts, ch 1299, §12; 85 Acts, ch 29, §3; 85 Acts, ch 148, §7; 89 Acts, ch 178, §10; 2000 Acts, ch 1036, §2; 2012 Acts, ch 1123, §14, 32; 2019 Acts, ch 56, §40, 44, 45; 2019 Acts, ch 57, §20, 43, 44; 2020 Acts, ch 1063, §349, 350
Referred to in §633.563
2019 amendments take effect January 1, 2020, and apply to guardianships and guardianship proceedings for adults and conservatorships and conservatorship proceedings for adults and minors established or pending before, on, or after that date; 
2019 Acts, ch 56, §44, 45
; 2019 Acts, ch 57, §43, 44

  
     
633.562  Appointment and role of court visitor.
  1.  If the court determines that the appointment of a court visitor would be in the best interest of the respondent, the court shall appoint a court visitor at the expense of the respondent or the respondent’s estate, or, if the respondent is indigent, the cost of the court visitor shall be assessed against the county in which the proceedings are pending. The court may appoint any qualified person as a court visitor in a guardianship or conservatorship proceeding.
  2.  The same person shall not serve both as the attorney representing the respondent and as court visitor.
  3.  Unless otherwise enlarged or circumscribed by the court, the duties of a court visitor with respect to the respondent shall include all of the following:
  a.  Conducting an initial in-person interview with the respondent.
  b.  Explaining to the respondent the substance of the petition, the purpose and effect of the guardianship or conservatorship proceeding, the rights of the respondent at the hearing, and the general powers and duties of a guardian or conservator.
  c.  Determining the views of the respondent regarding the proposed guardian or conservator, the proposed guardian’s or conservator’s powers and duties, and the scope and duration of the proposed guardianship or conservatorship.
  4.  In addition, if directed by the court, the court visitor shall:
  a.  Interview the petitioner, and if the petitioner is not the proposed guardian or conservator, interview the proposed guardian or conservator.
  b.  Visit, to the extent feasible, the residence where it is reasonably believed that the respondent will live if the appointment of a guardian or conservator is made.
  c.  Make any other investigation the court directs including but not limited to interviewing any persons providing medical, mental health, educational, social, and other services to the respondent.
  5.  The court visitor shall submit a written report to the court that shall contain all of the following:
  a.  A recommendation regarding the appropriateness of a limited guardianship or conservatorship for the respondent, including whether less restrictive alternatives are available.
  b.  A statement of the qualifications of the guardian or conservator together with a statement of whether the respondent has expressed agreement with the appointment of the proposed guardian or conservator.
  c.  Any other matters the court visitor deems relevant to the petition for guardianship or conservatorship and the best interests of the respondent.
  d.  Any other matters the court directs.
  6.  The report of the court visitor shall be made part of the court record unless otherwise ordered by the court.
2019 Acts, ch 57, §21, 43, 44; 2020 Acts, ch 1063, §351
Referred to in §633.560, 633.563
Former §633.562 repealed effective January 1, 2020, by 2019 Acts, ch 57, §41, 43
Section takes effect January 1, 2020, and applies to guardianships and guardianship proceedings for adults and conservatorships and conservatorship proceedings for adults and minors established or pending before, on, or after that date; 2019 Acts, ch 57, §43, 44

  
     
633.563  Court-ordered professional evaluation.
  1.  At or before a hearing on a petition for the appointment of a guardian or conservator or the modification or termination of a guardianship or conservatorship, the court shall order a professional evaluation of the respondent unless one of the following criteria is met:
  a.  The court finds it has sufficient information to determine whether the criteria for a guardianship or conservatorship are met.
  b.  The petitioner or respondent has filed a professional evaluation.
  2.  Notwithstanding subsection 1, if the respondent has filed a professional evaluation and the court determines an additional professional evaluation will assist the court in understanding the decision-making capacity and functional abilities and limitations of the respondent, the court may order a professional evaluation of the respondent.
  3.  If the court orders an evaluation, the evaluation shall be conducted by a licensed physician, psychologist, social worker, or other individual who is qualified to conduct an evaluation appropriate for the respondent being assessed.
  4.  Unless otherwise directed by the court, the report must contain all of the following:
  a.  A description of the nature, type, and extent of the respondent’s cognitive and functional abilities and limitation.
  b.  An evaluation of the respondent’s mental and physical condition and, if appropriate, educational potential, adaptive behavior, and social skills.
  c.  A prognosis for improvement and recommendation for the appropriate treatment, support, or habilitation plan.
  d.  The evaluator’s qualifications to evaluate the respondent’s cognitive and functional abilities limitations and lack of conflict of interest.
  e.  The date of examination on which the report is based.
  5.  The cost of the professional evaluation shall be paid by the respondent unless the respondent is indigent as defined in section 633.561, subsection 3, in which case the costs shall be paid by the county in which the proceedings are pending or unless the court orders otherwise.
  6.  At the request of the respondent, the court shall seal the record of the results of the evaluation ordered by the court subject to the exceptions in subsection 7.
  7.  The results of the evaluation ordered by the court shall be filed with the court and made available to the following:
  a.  The respondent and the respondent’s attorney.
  b.  The petitioner and the petitioner’s attorney.
  c.  A court visitor as described in section 633.562.
  d.  Other persons for good cause shown for such purposes as the court may order.
2019 Acts, ch 57, §22, 43, 44; 2020 Acts, ch 1062, §68; 2020 Acts, ch 1063, §352; 2021 Acts, ch 76, §146
Section takes effect January 1, 2020, and applies to guardianships and guardianship proceedings for adults and conservatorships and conservatorship proceedings for adults and minors established or pending before, on, or after that date; 2019 Acts, ch 57, §43, 44

  
     
633.564  Background check of proposed guardian or conservator.
  1.  The court shall request criminal record checks and checks of the child abuse, dependent adult abuse, and sexual offender registries in this state for all proposed guardians and conservators, other than financial institutions with Iowa trust powers.
  2.  The court shall review the results of background checks in determining the suitability of a proposed guardian or conservator for appointment.
  3.  The judicial branch, in conjunction with the department of public safety, the department of human services, and the state chief information officer, shall establish procedures for electronic access to the single contact repository established pursuant to section 135C.33 necessary to conduct background checks requested under subsection 1.
  4.  The person who files a petition for appointment of guardian or conservator shall be responsible for paying the fee for the background check conducted through the single contact repository established pursuant to section 135C.33.
2019 Acts, ch 57, §23, 43, 44
Section takes effect January 1, 2020, and applies to guardianships and guardianship proceedings for adults and conservatorships and conservatorship proceedings for adults and minors established or pending before, on, or after that date; 2019 Acts, ch 57, §43, 44

  
     
633.565  Qualifications and selection of guardian or conservator for an adult.
  The court shall appoint as guardian or conservator for an adult any qualified and suitable person who is willing to serve as guardian or conservator.
2019 Acts, ch 57, §24, 43, 44; 2020 Acts, ch 1063, §353
Section takes effect January 1, 2020, and applies to guardianships and guardianship proceedings for adults and conservatorships and conservatorship proceedings for adults and minors established or pending before, on, or after that date; 2019 Acts, ch 57, §43, 44

  
     
633.566  Preference as to appointment of conservator.
  The parents of a minor, or either of them, if qualified and suitable, shall be preferred over all others for appointment as conservator. Preference shall then be given to any person, if qualified and suitable, nominated as conservator for a minor child by a will executed by the parent having custody of a minor child, and any qualified and suitable person requested by a minor fourteen years of age or older, or by standby petition executed by a person having physical and legal custody of a minor. Subject to these preferences, the court shall appoint as conservator a qualified and suitable person who is willing to serve in that capacity.
[C51, §1491, 1492, 1495, 1498; R60, §2543, 2544, 2547, 2550; C73, §2241, 2242, 2244, 2249; C97, §3192, 3193, 3195; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §12573, 12574, 12576; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §668.1, 668.2, 668.4; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.571]
94 Acts, ch 1153, §10; 2019 Acts, ch 57, §42 – 44
C2020, §633.566
Former §633.566 repealed by 
2019 Acts, ch 57, §41
Section transferred from §633.571 in Code 2020 pursuant to directive in 2019 Acts, ch 57, §42
2019 amendments take effect January 1, 2020, and apply to guardianships and guardianship proceedings for adults and conservatorships and conservatorship proceedings for adults and minors established or pending before, on, or after that date; 
2019 Acts, ch 57, §43, 44

  
     
633.567  Appointment of guardian or conservator on a standby basis for minor approaching majority.
  Any adult with an interest in the welfare of a minor who is at least seventeen years and six months of age may file a verified petition pursuant to section 633.552 or section 633.553 to initiate a proceeding to appoint a guardian or conservator for the minor to take effect on the minor’s eighteenth birthday.
2019 Acts, ch 57, §25, 43, 44
Referred to in §633B.102
Section takes effect January 1, 2020, and applies to guardianships and guardianship proceedings for adults and conservatorships and conservatorship proceedings for adults and minors established or pending before, on, or after that date; 2019 Acts, ch 57, §43, 44

  
     
633.568  Appointment of guardian for an adult on a standby basis.
  A petition for the appointment of a guardian for an adult on a standby basis may be filed by any person under the same procedure and requirements as provided in sections 633.591 through 633.597, for appointment of standby conservator, insofar as applicable. In all proceedings to appoint a guardian, the court shall consider whether a limited guardianship, as authorized in section 633.635, is appropriate.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.560]
97 Acts, ch 178, §8; 2019 Acts, ch 57, §18, 42 – 44
C2020, §633.568
2020 Acts, ch 1063, §354
Referred to in §633B.102, 633B.108
Former §633.568 repealed effective January 1, 2020, by 2019 Acts, ch 57, §41, 43
Section transferred from §633.560 in Code 2020 pursuant to directive in 2019 Acts, ch 57, §42
2019 amendments are effective January 1, 2020, and apply to guardianships and guardianship proceedings for adults and conservatorships and conservatorship proceedings for adults and minors established or pending before, on, or after that date; 2019 Acts, ch 57, §43, 44

  
     
633.569  Emergency appointment of temporary guardian or conservator.
  1.  A person authorized to file a petition under section 633.552, 633.553, or 633.554 may file an application for the emergency appointment of a temporary guardian or conservator.
  2.  Such application shall state all of the following:
  a.  The name and address of the respondent.
  b.  The name and address of the proposed guardian or conservator and the reason the proposed guardian or conservator should be selected.
  c.  The reason the emergency appointment of a temporary guardian or conservator is sought.
  3.  The court may enter an ex parte order appointing a temporary guardian or conservator on an emergency basis under this section if the court finds that all of the following conditions are met:
  a.  There is not sufficient time to file a petition and hold a hearing pursuant to section 633.552, 633.553, or 633.554.
  b.  The appointment of a temporary guardian or conservator is necessary to avoid immediate or irreparable harm to the respondent.
  c.  There is reason to believe that the basis for appointment of guardian or conservator exists under section 633.552, 633.553, or 633.554.
  4.  Notice of a petition for the appointment of a temporary guardian or conservator and the issuance of an ex parte order appointing a temporary guardian or conservator shall be provided to the respondent, the respondent’s attorney, and any other person the court determines should receive notice.
  5.  Upon the issuance of an ex parte order, if the respondent is an adult, the respondent may file a request for a hearing. If the respondent is a minor, the respondent, a parent having legal custody of the respondent, or any other person having legal custody of the respondent may file a written request for a hearing. Such hearing shall be held no later than seven days after the filing of a written request.
  6.  The powers of the temporary guardian or conservator set forth in the order of the court shall be limited to those necessary to address the emergency situation requiring the appointment of a temporary guardian or conservator.
  7.  The temporary guardianship or conservatorship shall terminate within thirty days after the order is issued.
2019 Acts, ch 57, §26, 43, 44; 2020 Acts, ch 1063, §355, 356
Referred to in §235B.19
Former §633.569 repealed effective January 1, 2020, by 2019 Acts, ch 57, §41, 43
Section takes effect January 1, 2020, and applies to guardianships and guardianship proceedings for adults and conservatorships and conservatorship proceedings for adults and minors established or pending before, on, or after that date; 2019 Acts, ch 57, §43, 44

  
     
633.570  Notification of guardianship and conservatorship powers.
  1.  In a proceeding for the appointment of a guardian, the respondent shall be given written notice which advises the respondent of the powers that a guardian may exercise without court approval pursuant to section 633.635, subsection 2, and the powers that the guardian may exercise only with court approval pursuant to section 633.635, subsection 3.
  2.  In a proceeding for the appointment of a conservator, the respondent shall be given written notice which advises the respondent of the powers that a conservator may exercise without court approval pursuant to section 633.646* and the powers that the conservator may exercise only with court approval pursuant to section 633.647.
  3.  If the respondent is an adult, the notice shall clearly advise the respondent of the respondent’s rights to representation by an attorney and the potential deprivation of the respondent’s civil rights. The notice shall also state that the respondent may be represented by the respondent’s own attorney rather than an attorney appointed by the court. If the respondent is an adult, notice shall be served upon the respondent with the notice of the filing of the petition as provided in section 633.558. If the respondent is a minor, notice shall be served upon the respondent with the notice of the filing of a petition as provided in section 633.559.
2019 Acts, ch 57, §27, 43, 44; 2022 Acts, ch 1021, §165
Referred to in §633.591
Former §633.570 repealed effective January 1, 2020, by 2019 Acts, ch 57, §41, 43
Section takes effect January 1, 2020, and applies to guardianships and guardianship proceedings for adults and conservatorships and conservatorship proceedings for adults and minors established or pending before, on, or after that date; 2019 Acts, ch 57, §43, 44
*Section 633.646 is repealed by 
2019 Acts, ch 57, §41, 43, 44
; corrective legislation is pending
Subsection 2 amended

  
     
633.571  Preference as to appointment of conservator.  Transferred to §633.566; 
2019 Acts, ch 57, §42 – 44
.

  
     
633.572  Appointment of conservator on voluntary petition.  Repealed by 2019 Acts, ch 57, §41, 43, 44.
2019 repeal applies to guardianships and guardianship proceedings for adults and conservatorships and conservatorship proceedings for adults and minors established or pending before, on, or after January 1, 2020; 2019 Acts, ch 57, §43, 44

  
     
633.573  Appointment of temporary conservator.  Repealed by 2019 Acts, ch 57, §41, 43, 44. See §633.569.
2019 repeal takes effect January 1, 2020, and applies to guardianships and guardianship proceedings for adults and conservatorships and conservatorship proceedings for adults and minors established or pending before, on, or after that date; 2019 Acts, ch 57, §43, 44

  
     
633.574  Procedure in lieu of conservatorship for a minor.  Transferred to §633.555; 
2019 Acts, ch 57, §42 – 44
.

  
     
633.575  Representation.  Repealed by 2019 Acts, ch 57, §41, 43, 44. See §633.561.
2019 repeal takes effect January 1, 2020, and applies to guardianships and guardianship proceedings for adults and conservatorships and conservatorship proceedings for adults and minors established or pending before, on, or after that date; 2019 Acts, ch 57, §43, 44

  
     
633.576  Notification of conservatorship powers.  Repealed by 2019 Acts, ch 57, §41, 43, 44. See §633.570.
2019 repeal takes effect January 1, 2020, applies to guardianships and guardianship proceedings for adults and conservatorships and conservatorship proceedings for adults and minors established or pending before, on, or after that date; 2019 Acts, ch 57, §43, 44
633.577 through 633.579Reserved.
PART 3
CONSERVATORSHIPS FOR ABSENTEES

     
633.580  Petition for appointment of conservator for absentee.
  When a person owns property located in the state of Iowa, the person’s whereabouts are unknown, and no provision for the care, control, and supervision of such property has been made, with the result that such property is likely to be lost or damaged, or that the dependents of such owner are likely to be deprived of means of support because of such absence, it shall be proper for any person to file with the clerk a petition for the appointment of a conservator of such property of the absentee. The petition shall state the following information, so far as known to the petitioner:
  1.  The name, age, and last known post office address of the proposed ward.
  2.  The facts concerning the disappearance of the absentee.
  3.  The name and post office address of the proposed conservator, and that the proposed conservator is qualified to serve in that capacity.
  4.  A general description of the property of the proposed ward within this state and of the proposed ward’s right to receive property; also, the estimated present value of the real estate, the estimated value of the personal property, and the estimated gross annual income of the estate. If any money is payable, or to become payable, to the proposed ward by the United States through the United States department of veterans affairs, the petition shall so state.
  5.  That the property of the absentee is likely to be lost or damaged, or that the absentee’s dependents are likely to be deprived of means of support, because of the absence, and that no proper provision has been made for the care, control, and supervision over such property.
[S13, §3228-a; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §12632; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §671.1; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.580]
2009 Acts, ch 26, §19

     
633.581  Original notice governed by rules of civil procedure.
  Notice of the filing of such a petition and of the hearing thereon shall be served upon the absentee by publication in the manner of an original notice and the rules of civil procedure governing original notices by publication shall also govern such a notice as to content.
[S13, §3228-a; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §12633; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §671.2; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.581]

     
633.582  Notice on county attorney.
  Such notice shall also be served on the county attorney of the county in which the petition is filed and on the spouse and children of the absentee as provided by the rules of civil procedure. If there is no spouse or children, such notice shall be served on such persons and in such manner as the court may prescribe.
[S13, §3228-a; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §12634; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §671.3; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.582]

     
633.583  Pleadings and trial — rules of civil procedure.
  All other pleadings and the trial of the cause shall be governed by the rules of civil procedure.
[S13, §3228-a; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §12635; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §671.4; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.583]

     
633.584  Appointment of conservator.
  In the event that the absentee does not appear at said hearing, the court shall hear the petition and the proof offered. All evidence shall be made a part of a transcript to be filed in such proceedings. If the allegations of the petition are proved, the court may appoint a conservator.
[S13, §3228-b, -c; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §12636, 12637, 12639; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §671.5, 671.6, 671.8; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.584]

     
633.585  Appointment of temporary conservator.
  A temporary conservator may be appointed, but only after a hearing on such notice, and subject to such conditions as the court shall prescribe.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.585]
633.586 through 633.590Reserved.
PART 4
STANDBY CONSERVATORSHIPS

  
     
633.591  Voluntary petition for appointment of conservator — standby basis.
  Any person of full age and sound mind may execute a verified petition for the voluntary appointment of a conservator of the person’s property upon the express condition that such petition shall be acted upon by the court only upon the occurrence of an event specified or the existence of a described condition of the mental or physical health of the petitioner, the occurrence of which event, or the existence of which condition, shall be established in the manner directed in the petition. The petition, if executed on or after January 1, 1991, shall advise the respondent of a conservator’s powers as provided in section 633.570.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.591]
89 Acts, ch 178, §15; 90 Acts, ch 1036, §2; 91 Acts, ch 36, §7; 2019 Acts, ch 57, §29, 43, 44
Referred to in §633.568, 633.634, 633B.108
2019 amendment takes effect January 1, 2020, and applies to guardianships and guardianship proceedings for adults and conservatorships and conservatorship proceedings for adults and minors established or pending before, on, or after that date; 2019 Acts, ch 57, §43, 44

     
633.591A  Voluntary petition for appointment of conservator for a minor — standby basis.
  A person having physical and legal custody of a minor may execute a verified petition for the appointment of a standby conservator of the proposed ward’s property, upon the express condition that the petition shall be acted upon by the court only upon the occurrence of an event specified or the existence of a described condition of the mental or physical health of the petitioner, the occurrence of which event, or the existence of which condition, shall be established in the manner directed in the petition.
94 Acts, ch 1153, §11
Referred to in §633.568

     
633.592  Petition may nominate conservator.
  Such petition may nominate a person for appointment to serve as such conservator, and may request that the appointment be made without bond, or with bond of a certain stated sum. The court in appointing the conservator shall give due regard to such nomination and other requests and recommendations contained in the petition.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.592]
Referred to in §633.568

     
633.593  Deposit of petition.
  Such petition may be deposited with the clerk of the county in which the party resides, or with any person, firm, bank or trust company selected by the petitioner.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.593]
Referred to in §633.568, 633.595

     
633.594  Revocation of petition.
  Such petition may be revoked by the petitioner at any time before appointment of a conservator by the court, provided that the petitioner is of sound mind. Revocation shall be accomplished by the destruction of the petition by the petitioner, or by the execution of an acknowledged instrument of revocation. If the petition has been deposited with the clerk, the revocation may likewise be deposited there.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.594]
Referred to in §633.568

     
633.595  Filing petition upon occurrence of condition.
  At any time after the deposit of the petition with the clerk, and before its revocation, it may be brought on for hearing by the filing of a verified statement to the effect that the occurrence of the event or the condition provided for in the petition has come to pass. If the petition has not been deposited with the clerk under the provisions of section 633.593, then it may be brought on for hearing at any time by the filing of it and such a verified statement with the clerk of the county in which the person who executed the petition then resides.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.595]
Referred to in §633.568

     
633.596  Considerations — appointment of conservator.
  At the time a standby petition is filed under this part, the court shall consider whether a limited conservatorship, as authorized in section 633.637, is appropriate.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.596]
97 Acts, ch 178, §12
Referred to in §633.568

     
633.597  Conservator shall have same powers and duties.
  The powers and duties of such a conservator shall be the same as those of a conservator appointed in response to any of the other petitions authorized in this probate code.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.597]
2005 Acts, ch 38, §51
Referred to in §633.568
633.598 through 633.602Reserved.
PART 5
FOREIGN CONSERVATORS

     
633.603  Appointment of foreign conservators.
  When there is no conservatorship, nor any application therefor pending, in this state, the duly qualified foreign conservator or guardian of a nonresident ward may, upon application, be appointed conservator of the property of such person in this state; provided that a resident conservator is appointed to serve with the foreign conservator; and provided further, that for good cause shown, the court may appoint the foreign conservator to act alone without the appointment of a resident conservator.
[C51, §1512; R60, §2564; C73, §2266; C97, §3213; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §12606; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §669.1; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.603]

     
633.604  Application.
  The application for appointment of a foreign conservator or guardian as conservator in this state shall include the name and address of the nonresident ward, and of the nonresident conservator or guardian, and the name and address of the resident conservator to be appointed. It shall be accompanied by a certified copy of the original letters or other authority conferring the power upon the foreign conservator or guardian to act as such. The application shall also state the cause for the appointment of the foreign conservator to act as sole conservator, if such be the case.
[C51, §1513; R60, §2565; C73, §2267; C97, §3214; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §12607; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §669.2; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.604]

     
633.605  Personal property.
  A foreign conservator or guardian of a nonresident may be authorized by the court of the county wherein such ward has personal property to receive the same upon compliance with the provisions of sections 633.606, 633.607 and 633.608.
[C73, §2269; C97, §3216; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §12609; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §669.4; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.605]

     
633.606  Copy of bond.
  Such foreign conservator or guardian shall file in the office of the clerk in the county where the property is situated, a certified copy of the conservator’s or guardian’s official bond, duly authenticated by the court granting the letters, and shall also execute a receipt for the property received by the conservator or guardian.
[C51, §1514; R60, §2566; C73, §2268, 2270; C97, §3215, 3217; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §12608, 12610; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §669.3, 669.5; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.606]
Referred to in §633.605

     
633.607  Order for delivery.
  Upon the filing of the bond as above provided, and the court being satisfied with the amount thereof, it shall order the personal property of the ward delivered to such conservator or guardian.
[C73, §2271; C97, §3218; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §12611; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §669.6; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.607]
Referred to in §633.605

     
633.608  Recording of bond — notice to court.
  The clerk shall record the bonds and the receipt, and notify by mail the court which granted the letters of conservatorship or guardianship of the amount of property delivered to the fiduciary and the date of delivery thereof.
[C73, §2271; C97, §3218; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §12612; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §669.7; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.608]
Referred to in §633.605
633.609 through 633.613Reserved.
PART 6
CONSERVATORSHIPS INVOLVING

VETERANS ADMINISTRATION

     
633.614  Application of other provisions to veterans’ conservatorships.
  Whenever moneys are paid or are payable pursuant to any law of the United States through the United States department of veterans affairs to a conservator or a guardian, the provisions of sections 633.615, 633.617, and 633.622 shall apply to the administration of said moneys. However, such provisions shall be construed to be supplementary to the other provisions for conservators, and shall not be exclusive of such provisions.
[C31, 35, §12644-c2; C39, §12644.02; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §672.2; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.614]
2009 Acts, ch 26, §20

     
633.615  Secretary of veterans affairs — party in interest.
  The secretary of veterans affairs of the United States, the secretary’s successor, or the designee of either, shall be a party in interest in any proceeding for the appointment or removal of a conservator, or for the termination of the conservatorship, and in any suit or other proceeding, including reports and accountings, affecting in any manner the administration of those assets that were derived in whole or in part from benefits paid by the United States department of veterans affairs. Not less than fifteen days prior to the time set for a hearing in any such matters, notice, in writing, of the time and place thereof shall be given by mail to the office of the United States department of veterans affairs having jurisdiction over the area in which such matter is pending.
[C31, 35, §12644-c4, -c11; C39, §12644.04, 12644.11; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §672.4, 672.11; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.615]
2009 Acts, ch 26, §21
Referred to in §633.614

  
     
633.616  Reserved. 

     
633.617  Ward rated incompetent by United States department of veterans affairs.
  Upon the trial of an issue arising upon a prayer for the appointment of either a temporary or a permanent conservator, a certificate of the secretary of the United States department of veterans affairs, or the secretary’s representative, setting forth the fact that the defendant veteran has been rated incompetent by the United States department of veterans affairs upon examination in accordance with the laws and regulations governing the United States department of veterans affairs, shall be prima facie evidence of the necessity for such appointment, and the court may appoint a conservator for the property of such person.
[C31, 35, §12644-c3, -c7; C39, §12644.03, 12644.07; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §672.3, 672.7; C66, 71, 73, 75, §633.616; C77, 79, 81, §633.617]
2009 Acts, ch 26, §22
Referred to in §633.614
633.618 through 633.621Reserved. 

     
633.622  Bond requirements.
  In administering moneys paid by the United States department of veterans affairs, the conservator, unless it is a bank or trust company qualified to act as a fiduciary in this state, shall execute and file with the clerk a bond by a recognized surety company equal to such moneys and the annual income therefrom, plus the expected annual United States department of veterans affairs benefit payments.
[C31, 35, §12644-c14, -c15; C39, §12644.14, 12644.15; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §672.14, 672.15; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.622]
2009 Acts, ch 26, §23
Referred to in §633.614
633.623 through 633.626Reserved.
PART 7
COMBINING PETITION FOR GUARDIAN

AND CONSERVATOR

     
633.627  Combining petitions.
  The petitions for the appointment of a guardian and a conservator may be combined and the cause tried in the same manner as a petition for the appointment of a conservator.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.627]
Referred to in §633.27A

     
633.628  Same person as guardian and conservator.
  The same person may be appointed to serve as both guardian and conservator.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.628]
633.629 through 633.632Reserved.

SUBCHAPTER XIV
ADMINISTRATION OF GUARDIANSHIPS AND CONSERVATORSHIPS
PART 1
APPOINTMENT AND LIABILITY

OF GUARDIANS AND CONSERVATORS

     
633.633  Provisions applicable to all fiduciaries shall govern.
  The provisions of this probate code applicable to all fiduciaries shall govern the appointment, qualification, oath and bond of guardians and conservators, except that a guardian shall not be required to give bond unless the court, for good cause, finds that the best interests of the ward require a bond. The court shall then fix the terms and conditions of such bond.
[C51, §1496; R60, §2548; C73, §2246; C97, §3197; S13, §3228-d; C24, 27, §12577 – 12579, 12640; C31, 35, §12577 – 12579, 12640, 12644-c9; C39, §12577 – 12579, 12640, 12644.09; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §668.5 – 668.7, 671.9, 672.9; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, §633.634; C81, §633.633]
2005 Acts, ch 38, §51

     
633.633A  Liability of guardians and conservators.
  Guardians and conservators shall not be held personally liable for actions or omissions taken or made in the official discharge of the guardian’s or conservator’s duties, except for any of the following:
  1.  A breach of fiduciary duty imposed by this probate code.
  2.  Willful or wanton misconduct in the official discharge of the guardian’s or conservator’s duties.
89 Acts, ch 178, §16; 2005 Acts, ch 38, §51
Referred to in §602.8102(105A)

     
633.633B  Tort liability of guardians and conservators.
  The fact that a person is a guardian or conservator shall not in itself make the person personally liable for damages for the acts of the ward.
89 Acts, ch 178, §17
Referred to in §602.8102(105A)

  
     
633.634  Combination of petitions.
  If, prior to the time of hearing on a petition for the appointment of a guardian or a conservator, a petition is filed under the provisions of section 633.556, 633.557, or 633.591, the court shall combine the hearings on the petitions and determine who shall be appointed guardian or conservator. The petitions shall be triable to the court.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, §633.635; C81, §633.634]
2019 Acts, ch 57, §30, 43, 44; 2020 Acts, ch 1062, §69
2019 amendment takes effect January 1, 2020, and applies to guardianships and guardianship proceedings for adults and conservatorships and conservatorship proceedings for adults and minors established or pending before, on, or after that date; 2019 Acts, ch 57, §43, 44
PART 2
DUTIES AND POWERS OF GUARDIAN

  
     
633.635  Responsibilities of guardian.
  1.  The order by the court appointing a guardian shall state the basis for the guardianship pursuant to section 633.552.
  2.  Based upon the evidence produced at the hearing, the court may grant a guardian the following powers and duties with respect to a protected person which may be exercised without prior court approval:
  a.  Making decisions regarding the care, maintenance, health, education, welfare, and safety of the protected person except as otherwise limited by the court.
  b.  Establishing the protected person’s permanent residence except as limited by subsection 3.
  c.  Taking reasonable care of the protected person’s clothing, furniture, vehicle, other personal effects, and companion animals, assistive animals, assistance animals, and service animals.
  d.  Assisting the protected person in developing maximum self-reliance and independence.
  e.  Consenting to and arranging for medical, dental, and other health care treatment and services for the protected person except as otherwise limited by subsection 3.
  f.  Consenting to and arranging for other needed professional services for the protected person.
  g.  Consenting to and arranging for appropriate training, educational, and vocational services for the protected person.
  h.  Maintaining contact, including through regular visitation with the protected person if the protected person does not reside with the guardian.
  i.  Making reasonable efforts to identify and facilitate supportive relationships and interactions of the protected person with family members and significant other persons. The guardian may place reasonable time, place, or manner restrictions on communication, visitation, or interaction between the adult protected person and another person except as otherwise limited by subsection 3.
  j.  Any other powers or duties the court may specify.
  3.  A guardian may be granted the following powers which may only be exercised upon court approval:
  a.  Changing, at the guardian’s request, the protected person’s permanent residence to a nursing home, other secure facility, or secure portion of a facility that restricts the protected person’s ability to leave or have visitors, unless advance notice of the change was included in the guardian’s initial care plan that was approved by the court. In an emergency situation, the court shall review the request for approval on an expedited basis.
  b.  Consenting to the following:
  (1)  The withholding or withdrawal of life-sustaining procedures from the protected person in accordance with chapter 144A or 144D.
  (2)  The performance of an abortion on the protected person.
  (3)  The sterilization of the protected person.
  c.  Denying all communication, visitation, or interaction by a protected person with a person with whom the protected person has expressed a desire to communicate, visit, or interact or with a person who seeks to communicate, visit, or interact with the protected person. A court shall approve the denial of all communication, visitation, or interaction with another person only upon a showing of good cause by the guardian.
  4.  The court may take into account all available information concerning the capabilities of the respondent or the protected person and any additional evaluation deemed necessary, including the availability of third-party assistance to meet the needs of the respondent or the protected person, and may direct that the guardian have only a specially limited responsibility for the protected person. In that event, the court shall state those areas of responsibility which shall be supervised by the guardian and all others shall be retained by the protected person. The court may make a finding that the protected person lacks the capacity to contract a valid marriage.
  5.  From time to time, upon a proper showing, the court may modify the respective responsibilities of the guardian and the protected person, after notice to the protected person and an opportunity to be heard. Any modification that would be more restrictive or burdensome for the protected person shall be based on clear and convincing evidence that the protected person continues to meet the basis for the appointment of a guardian pursuant to section 633.552, and that the facts justify a modification of the guardianship. Section 633.551 applies to the modification proceedings. Any modification that would be less restrictive for the protected person shall be based upon proof in accordance with the requirements of section 633.675.
[C81, §633.635]
84 Acts, ch 1299, §16; 85 Acts, ch 29, §7; 87 Acts, ch 100, §2; 91 Acts, ch 93, §4; 97 Acts, ch 178, §13, 14; 2000 Acts, ch 1063, §1 – 3; 2015 Acts, ch 59, §1, 2; 2019 Acts, ch 56, §41, 44, 45; 2019 Acts, ch 57, §31, 43, 44
Referred to in §144A.7, 144F.2, 144F.6, 633.551, 633.568, 633.570, 633.637A
2019 amendments by 2019 Acts, ch 562019 Acts, ch 56, and 2019 Acts, ch 572019 Acts, ch 57, are effective January 1, 2020, and apply to guardianships and guardianship proceedings and conservatorships and conservatorship proceedings for adults and minors established or pending before, on, or after that date; 
2019 Acts, ch 56, §44, 45
; 2019 Acts, ch 57, §43, 44
PART 3
RIGHTS AND TITLE OF WARD

     
633.636  Effect of appointment of guardian or conservator.
  The appointment of a guardian or conservator shall not constitute an adjudication that the ward is of unsound mind.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.636]

  
     
633.637  Powers of ward.
  1.  A ward for whom a conservator has been appointed shall not have the power to convey, encumber, or dispose of property in any manner, other than by will if the ward possesses the requisite testamentary capacity, unless the court determines that the ward has a limited ability to handle the ward’s own funds. If the court makes such a finding, the court shall specify to what extent the ward may possess and use the ward’s own funds.
  2.  Any modification of the powers of the ward that would be more restrictive of the ward’s control over the ward’s financial affairs shall be based upon clear and convincing evidence and the burden of persuasion is on the conservator. Any modification that would be less restrictive of the ward’s control over the ward’s financial affairs shall be based upon proof in accordance with the requirements of section 633.675.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.637]
97 Acts, ch 178, §15; 2019 Acts, ch 24, §88
Referred to in §633.551, 633.596, 633.638

  
     
633.637A  Rights of ward under guardianship.
  An adult ward under a guardianship has the right of communication, visitation, or interaction with other persons upon the consent of the adult ward, subject to section 633.635, subsection 2, paragraph “i”, and section 633.635, subsection 3, paragraph “c”. If an adult ward is unable to give express consent to such communication, visitation, or interaction with a person due to a physical or mental condition, consent of an adult ward may be presumed by a guardian or a court based on an adult ward’s prior relationship with such person.
2015 Acts, ch 59, §3

  
     
633.638  Presumption of fraud.
  If a conservator be appointed, all contracts, transfers and gifts made by the ward after the filing of the petition shall be presumed to be a fraud against the rights and interest of the ward except as otherwise directed by the court pursuant to section 633.637.
[C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §12622; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §670.10; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.638]

     
633.639  Title to ward’s property.
  The title to all property of the ward is in the ward and not the conservator subject, however, to the possession of the conservator and to the control of the court for the purposes of administration, sale or other disposition, under the provisions of the law. Any real property titled at any time in the name of a conservatorship shall be deemed to be titled in the ward’s name subject to the conservator’s right of possession.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.639]
2009 Acts, ch 52, §8, 14

     
633.640  Conservator’s right to possession.
  Every conservator shall have a right to, and shall take, possession of all of the real and personal property of the ward. The conservator shall pay the taxes and collect the income therefrom until the conservatorship is terminated. The conservator may maintain an action for the possession of the property, and to determine the title to the same.
[C73, §2245; C97, §3196; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §12584, 12585; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §668.11, 668.12; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.640]
PART 4
DUTIES AND POWERS OF CONSERVATOR

  
     
633.641  Duties of conservator.
  1.  A conservator is a fiduciary and has duties of prudence and loyalty to the protected person.
  2.  In investing and selecting specific property for distribution, a conservator shall consider any estate plan or other donative, nominative, or appointive instrument of the protected person, known to the conservator.
  3.  If a protected person has executed a valid power of attorney under chapter 633B, the conservator shall act in accordance with the applicable provisions of chapter 633B. 
  4.  The conservator shall report to the department of human services the protected person’s assets and income, if the protected person is receiving medical assistance under chapter 249A. Such reports shall be made upon establishment of a conservatorship for an individual applying for or receiving medical assistance, upon application for benefits on behalf of the protected person, upon annual or semiannual review of continued medical assistance eligibility, when any significant change in the protected person’s assets or income occurs, or as otherwise requested by the department of human services. Written reports shall be provided to the department of human services office for the county in which the protected person resides or the office in which the protected person’s medical assistance is administered.
[C51, §1499; R60, §2551; C73, §2250; C97, §3200; S13, §3228-d; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §12581, 12640; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §668.9, 671.9; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.641]
94 Acts, ch 1112, §2; 2019 Acts, ch 57, §32, 43, 44; 2019 Acts, ch 59, §220
2019 amendment by 2019 Acts, ch 572019 Acts, ch 57, is effective January 1, 2020, and applies to guardianships and guardianship proceedings for adults and conservatorships and conservatorship proceedings for adults and minors established or pending before, on, or after that date; 2019 Acts, ch 57, §43, 44

  
     
633.642  Responsibilities of conservator.
  Except as otherwise ordered by the court, a conservator must give notice to persons entitled to notice and receive specific prior authorization by the court before the conservator may take any other action on behalf of the protected person. These other powers requiring court approval include the authority of the conservator to:
  1.  Invest the protected person’s assets consistent with section 633.123.
  2.  Make gifts on the protected person’s behalf from conservatorship assets to persons or religious, educational, scientific, charitable, or other nonprofit organizations to whom or to which such gifts were regularly made prior to the conservator’s appointment; or on a showing that such gifts would benefit the protected person from the perspective of gift, estate, inheritance, or other taxes. No gift shall be allowed which would foreseeably prevent adequate provision for the protected person’s best interest.
  3.  Make payments consistent with the conservator’s plan described above directly to the protected person or to others for the protected person’s education and training needs.
  4.  Use the protected person’s income or assets to provide for any person that the protected person is legally obligated to support.
  5.  Compromise, adjust, arbitrate, or settle any claim by or against the protected person or the conservator.
  6.  Make elections for a protected person who is the surviving spouse as provided in sections 633.236 and 633.240.
  7.  Exercise the right to disclaim on behalf of the protected person as provided in section 633E.5.
  8.  Sell, mortgage, exchange, pledge, or lease the protected person’s real and personal property consistent with subchapter VII, part 6 of this chapter regarding sale of property from a decedent’s estate.
2019 Acts, ch 57, §33, 43, 44
Referred to in §633.648
Section takes effect January 1, 2020, and applies to guardianships and guardianship proceedings for adults and conservatorships and conservatorship proceedings for adults and minors established or pending before, on, or after that date; 2019 Acts, ch 57, §43, 44

     
633.643  Disposal of will by conservator.
  When an instrument purporting to be the will of the ward comes into the hands of a conservator, the conservator shall immediately deliver it to the court.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.643]
Referred to in §633.644, 633.645

     
633.644  Court order to preserve testamentary intent of ward.
  Upon receiving an instrument purporting to be the will of a living ward under the provisions of section 633.643, the court may open said will and read it. The court with or without notice, as it may determine, may enter such orders in the conservatorship as it deems advisable for the proper administration of the conservatorship in light of the expressed testamentary intent of the ward.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.644]

     
633.645  Court to deliver will to clerk.
  An instrument purporting to be the will of a ward coming into the hands of the court under the provisions of section 633.643, shall thereafter be resealed by the court and be deposited with the clerk to be held by said clerk as provided in sections 633.286 through 633.289.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.645]

  
     
633.646  Powers of the conservator without order of court.  Repealed by 2019 Acts, ch 57, §41, 43, 44.
2019 repeal takes effect January 1, 2020, and applies to guardianships and guardianship proceedings for adults and conservatorships and conservatorship proceedings for adults and minors established or pending before, on, or after that date; 2019 Acts, ch 57, §43, 44

  
     
633.647  Powers of conservator subject to the approval of the court.  Repealed by 2019 Acts, ch 57, §41, 43, 44. See §633.642.
2019 repeal takes effect January 1, 2020, and applies to guardianships and guardianship proceedings for adults and conservatorships and conservatorship proceedings for adults and minors established or pending before, on, or after that date; 2019 Acts, ch 57, §43, 44

  
     
633.648  Appointment of attorney in compromise of personal injury settlements.
  Notwithstanding the provisions of section 633.642, prior to authorizing a compromise of a claim for damages on account of personal injuries to the protected person, the court may order an independent investigation by an attorney other than by the attorney for the conservator. The cost of such investigation, including a reasonable attorney fee, shall be taxed as part of the cost of the conservatorship.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.648]
2019 Acts, ch 57, §34, 43, 44; 2019 Acts, ch 89, §19, 23, 26
2019 amendments by 2019 Acts, ch 572019 Acts, ch 57, and 2019 Acts, ch 892019 Acts, ch 89, take effect January 1, 2020, and apply to guardianships and guardianship proceedings for adults and conservatorships and conservatorship proceedings for adults and minors established or pending before, on, or after that date; 2019 Acts, ch 57, §43, 44; 
2019 Acts, ch 89, §23, 26

  
     
633.649  Powers of conservators — same as all fiduciaries.  Repealed by 2019 Acts, ch 57, §41, 43, 44.
2019 repeal takes effect January 1, 2020, and applies to guardianships and guardianship proceedings for adults and conservatorships and conservatorship proceedings for adults and minors established or pending before, on, or after that date; 2019 Acts, ch 57, §43, 44

  
     
633.650  Breach of contracts.  Repealed by 2019 Acts, ch 57, §41, 43, 44.
2019 repeal takes effect January 1, 2020, and applies to guardianships and guardianship proceedings for adults and conservatorships and conservatorship proceedings for adults and minors established or pending before, on, or after that date; 2019 Acts, ch 57, §43, 44

  
     
633.651  Reserved.
PART 5
TRANSFERRING, ENCUMBERING, AND

LEASING PROPERTY BY CONSERVATOR

  
     
633.652  Procedure applicable to personal representatives shall govern.  Repealed by 2019 Acts, ch 57, §41, 43, 44. See §633.642.
2019 repeal takes effect January 1, 2020, and applies to guardianships and guardianship proceedings for adults and conservatorships and conservatorship proceedings for adults and minors established or pending before, on, or after that date; 2019 Acts, ch 57, §43, 44
PART 6
CLAIMS

  
     
633.653  Claims against the ward, the conservatorship, or the conservator in that capacity.
  Claims accruing before or after the appointment of the conservator, and whether arising in contract or tort or otherwise, after being allowed or established as provided in sections 633.654 through 633.656, shall be paid by the conservator from the assets of the conservatorship.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.653]
2020 Acts, ch 1063, §357

     
633.653A  Claims for cost of medical care or services.
  The provision of medical care or services to a ward who is a recipient of medical assistance under chapter 249A creates a claim against the conservatorship for the amount owed to the provider under the medical assistance program for the care or services. The amount of the claim, after being allowed or established as provided in this part, shall be paid by the conservator from the assets of the conservatorship.
93 Acts, ch 106, §9

     
633.654  Form and verification of claims — general requirements.
  No claim shall be allowed against the estate of a ward upon application of the claimant unless it shall be in writing, filed in duplicate with the clerk, stating the claimant’s name and address, and describing the nature and the amount thereof, if ascertainable. It shall be accompanied by the affidavit of the claimant, or of someone for the claimant, that the amount is justly due, or if not due, when it will or may become due, that no payments have been made thereon which are not credited, and that there are no offsets to the same, to the knowledge of the affiant, except as therein stated. The duplicate of said claim shall be mailed by the clerk to the conservator or the conservator’s attorney of record; however, valid contract claims arising in the ordinary course of the conduct of the business or affairs of the ward by the conservator may be paid by the conservator without requiring affidavit or filing.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.654]
Referred to in §633.653, 633.664

     
633.655  Requirements when claim founded on written instrument.
  If a claim is founded upon a written instrument, the original of such instrument, or a copy thereof, with all endorsements, must be attached to the claim. The original instrument must be exhibited to the conservator or to the court, upon demand, unless it has been lost or destroyed, in which case, its loss or destruction must be stated in the claim.
[C51, §1359; R60, §2391; C73, §2408; C97, §3338; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §11957, 11958; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §635.53, 635.54; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.655]
Referred to in §633.653

     
633.656  How claim entitled.
  All claims filed against the estate of the ward shall be entitled in the name of the claimant against the conservator as such, naming the conservator, and in all further proceedings thereon, this title shall be preserved.
[C73, §2409; C97, §3339; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §11960; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §635.56; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.656]
Referred to in §633.653

     
633.657  Filing of claim required.
  The filing of a claim in the conservatorship tolls the statute of limitations applicable to such claim.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.657]

     
633.658  Compelling payment of claims.
  No claimant shall be entitled to compel payment until the claimant’s claim has been duly filed and allowed.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.658]
Referred to in §633.664

     
633.659  Allowance by conservator.
  When a claim has been filed and has been admitted in writing by the conservator, it shall stand allowed, in the absence of fraud or collusion.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.659]

     
633.660  Execution and levy prohibited.
  No execution shall issue upon, nor shall any levy be made against, any property of the estate of a ward under any judgment against the ward or a conservator, but the provisions of this section shall not be so construed as to prevent the enforcement of a mortgage, pledge, or other lien upon property in an appropriate proceeding.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.660]

     
633.661  Claims of conservators.
  If the conservator is a creditor of the ward, the conservator shall file the claim as other creditors, and the court shall appoint some competent person as temporary conservator to represent the ward at the hearing on the conservator’s claim. The same procedure shall be followed in the case of coconservators where all such conservators are creditors of the ward; but if one of the coconservators is not a creditor of the ward, such disinterested conservator shall represent the ward at the hearing on any claim against the ward by a coconservator.
[C51, §1369; R60, §2401; C73, §2417; C97, §3346; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §11968; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §635.64; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.661]

     
633.662  Claims not filed.
  The conservator may pay any valid claim against the estate of the ward even though such claim has not been filed, but all such payments made by the conservator shall be at the conservator’s own peril.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.662]

     
633.663  Waiver of statute of limitations by conservator.
  It shall be within the discretion of the conservator to determine whether or not the applicable statute of limitation shall be invoked to bar a claim which the conservator believes to be just, and the conservator’s decision as to the invoking of such statute shall be final.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.663]

     
633.664  Liens not affected by failure to file claim.
  Nothing in sections 633.654 and 633.658 shall affect or prevent an action or proceeding to enforce any mortgage, pledge, or other lien upon the property of the ward.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.664]

  
     
633.665  Separate actions and claims.
  1.  Any action pending against the ward at the time the conservator is appointed shall also be considered a claim filed in the conservatorship if notice of substitution is served on the conservator as defendant and a duplicate of the proof of service of notice of such proceeding is filed in the conservatorship proceeding.
  2.  A separate action based on a debt or other liability of the ward may be commenced against the conservator in lieu of filing a claim in the conservatorship. Such an action shall be commenced by serving an original notice on the conservator and filing a duplicate of the proof of service of notice of such proceeding in the conservatorship proceeding. Such an action shall also be considered a claim filed in the conservatorship. Such an action may be commenced only in a county where the venue would have been proper if there were no conservatorship and the action had been commenced against the ward.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.665]
2019 Acts, ch 24, §89
Referred to in §633.666

  
     
633.666  Denial and contest of claims.
  The provisions of sections 633.438 through 633.448 shall be applicable to the denial and contest of claims against conservatorships, but shall not be applicable to actions continued or commenced under section 633.665.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.666]
2019 Acts, ch 59, §221

     
633.667  Payment of claims in insolvent conservatorships.
  When it appears that the assets in a conservatorship are insufficient to pay in full all the claims against such conservatorship, the conservator shall report such matter to the court, and the court shall, upon hearing, with notice to all persons who have filed claims in the conservatorship, make an order for the pro rata payment of claims giving claimants the same priority, if any, as they would have if the ward were not under conservatorship.
[R60, §1455; C73, §2278; C97, §3227; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §12630; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §670.18; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.667]
PART 7
GIFTS

     
633.668  Conservator may make gifts.
  For good cause shown and under order of court, a conservator may make gifts on behalf of the ward out of the assets under a conservatorship to persons or religious, educational, scientific, charitable, or other nonprofit organizations to whom or to which such gifts were regularly made prior to the commencement of the conservatorship, or on a showing to the court that such gifts would benefit the ward or the ward’s estate from the standpoint of income, gift, estate or inheritance taxes. The making of gifts out of the assets must not foreseeably impair the ability to provide adequately for the best interests of the ward.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.668]
85 Acts, ch 29, §8
PART 8
GUARDIAN’S REPORTS

  
     
633.669  Reporting requirements — assistance by clerk.
  1.  A guardian appointed by the court under this chapter shall file with the court the following written verified reports which shall not be waived by the court:
  a.  An initial care plan filed within sixty days of appointment. The information in the initial care plan shall include but not be limited to the following information:
  (1)  The current residence of the protected person and the guardian’s plan for the protected person’s living arrangements.
  (2)  The guardian’s plan for payment of the protected person’s living expenses and other expenses.
  (3)  The protected person’s health status and health care needs, and the guardian’s plan for meeting the protected person’s needs for medical, dental, and other health care needs.
  (4)  If applicable, the guardian’s plan for other professional services needed by the protected person.
  (5)  If applicable, the guardian’s plan for meeting the educational, training, and vocational needs of the protected person.
  (6)  If applicable, the guardian’s plan for facilitating the participation of the protected person in social activities.
  (7)  The guardian’s plan for facilitating contacts between the protected person and the protected person’s family members and other significant persons.
  (8)  The guardian’s plan for contact with, and activities on behalf of, the protected person.
  b.  An annual report, filed within sixty days of the close of the reporting period, unless the court otherwise orders on good cause shown. The information in the annual report shall include but not be limited to the following information:
  (1)  The current living arrangements of the protected person.
  (2)  The sources of payment for the protected person’s living expenses and other expenses.
  (3)  A description, if applicable, of the following:
  (a)  The protected person’s physical and mental health status and the medical, dental, and other professional services provided to the protected person.
  (b)  If applicable, the protected person’s employment status and the educational, training, and vocational services provided to the protected person.
  (c)  The contact of the protected person with family members and other significant persons.
  (d)  The nature and extent of the guardian’s visits with, and activities on behalf of, the protected person.
  (4)  The guardian’s recommendation as to the need for continuation of the guardianship.
  (5)  The ability of the guardian to continue as guardian.
  (6)  The need of the guardian for assistance in providing or arranging for the provision of the care and protection of the protected person.
  c.  A final report within thirty days of the termination of the guardianship under section 633.675 unless that time is extended by the court.
  2.  The court shall develop a simplified uniform reporting form for use in filing the required reports.
  3.  The clerk of the court shall notify the guardian in writing of the reporting requirements and shall provide information and assistance to the guardian in filing the reports.
  4.  Reports of guardians shall be reviewed and approved by a district court judge or referee.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.669]
84 Acts, ch 1299, §17; 85 Acts, ch 29, §9; 2007 Acts, ch 134, §16, 28; 2016 Acts, ch 1108, §72; 2019 Acts, ch 57, §35, 43, 44
2019 amendment takes effect January 1, 2020, and applies to guardianships and guardianship proceedings for adults and conservatorships and conservatorship proceedings for adults and minors established or pending before, on, or after that date; 2019 Acts, ch 57, §43, 44
PART 9
CONSERVATOR’S REPORTS

  
     
633.670  Reports by conservators.
  1.  A conservator shall file an initial plan for protecting, managing, investing, expending, and distributing the assets of the conservatorship estate within ninety days after appointment. The plan must be based on the needs of the protected person and take into account the best interest of the protected person as well as the protected person’s preference, values, and prior directions to the extent known to, or reasonably ascertainable by, the conservator.
  a.  The initial plan shall include all of the following:
  (1)  A budget containing projected expenses and resources, including an estimate of the total amount of fees the conservator anticipates charging per year and a statement or list of the amount the conservator proposes to charge for each service the conservator anticipates providing to the protected person.
  (2)  A statement as to how the conservator will involve the protected person in decisions about management of the conservatorship estate.
  (3)  If ordered by the court, any step the conservator plans to take to develop or restore the ability of the protected person to manage the conservatorship estate.
  (4)  An estimate of the duration of the conservatorship.
  b.  Within two days after filing the initial plan, the conservator shall give notice of the filing of the initial plan with a copy of the plan to the protected person, the protected person’s attorney and court visitor, if any, and others as directed by the court. The notice must state that any person entitled to a copy of the plan must file any objections to the plan not later than fifteen days after it is filed.
  c.  At least twenty days after the plan has been filed, the court shall review and determine whether the plan should be approved or revised, after considering objections filed and whether the plan is consistent with the conservator’s powers and duties.
  d.  After approval by the court, the conservator shall provide a copy of the approved plan and order approving the plan to the protected person, the protected person’s attorney and court visitor, if any, and others as directed by the court.
  e.  The conservator shall file an amended plan when there has been a significant change in circumstances or the conservator seeks to deviate significantly from the plan. Before the amended plan is implemented, the provisions for court approval of the plan shall be followed as provided in paragraphs “b”, “c”, and “d”.
  2.  A conservator shall file an inventory of the protected person’s assets within ninety days after appointment which includes an oath or affirmation that the inventory is believed to be complete and accurate as far as information permits. Copies of the inventory shall be provided to the protected person, the protected person’s attorney and court visitor, if any, and others as directed by the court. When the conservator receives additional property of the protected person, or becomes aware of its existence, a description of the property shall be included in the conservator’s next annual report.
  3.  A conservator shall file a written and verified report for the period since the end of the preceding report period. The court shall not waive these reports.
  a.  These reports shall include all of the following:
  (1)  Balance of funds on hand at the beginning and end of the period.
  (2)  Disbursements made.
  (3)  Changes in the conservator’s plan.
  (4)  List of assets as of the end of the period.
  (5)  Bond amount and surety’s name.
  (6)  Residence and physical location of the protected person.
  (7)  General physical and mental condition of the protected person.
  (8)  Other information reflecting the condition of the conservatorship estate.
  b.  These reports shall be filed:
  (1)  On an annual basis within sixty days of the end of the reporting period unless the court orders an extension for good cause shown in accordance with the rules of probate procedure.
  (2)  Within thirty days following removal of the conservator.
  (3)  Upon the conservator’s filing of a resignation and before the resignation is accepted by the court.
  (4)  Within sixty days following the termination of the conservatorship.
  (5)  At other times as ordered by the court.
  c.  Reports required by this section shall be served on the protected person’s attorney and court visitor, if any, and the veterans administration if the protected person is receiving veterans benefits.
[R60, §2568, 2569; C73, §2254, 2255; C97, §3203, 3204, 3222; C24, 27, §12597, 12598, 12627; C31, 35, §12597, 12598, 12627, 12644-c11; C39, §12597, 12598, 12627, 12644.11; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §668.24, 668.25, 670.15, 672.11; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.670]
84 Acts, ch 1299, §18; 85 Acts, ch 29, §10; 2007 Acts, ch 134, §17, 28; 2019 Acts, ch 57, §36, 43, 44; 2020 Acts, ch 1063, §358 – 360
Referred to in §633.671
2019 amendment takes effect January 1, 2020, and applies to guardianships and guardianship proceedings for adults and conservatorships and conservatorship proceedings for adults and minors established or pending before, on, or after that date; 2019 Acts, ch 57, §43, 44

     
633.671  Requirements of report and accounting.
  The report and accounting required by section 633.670 shall account for all of the period since the close of the accounting contained in the next previous report, and shall include the following information as far as applicable:
  1.  The balance of funds on hand at the close of the last previous accounting, and all amounts received from whatever source during the period covered by the accounting.
  2.  All disbursements made during the period covered by the accounting.
  3.  Any changes in investments since the last previous report, including a list of all assets, and recommendations of the conservator for the retention or disposition of any property held by the conservator.
  4.  The amount of the bond and the name of the surety on it.
  5.  The residence or physical location of the ward.
  6.  The general physical and mental condition of the ward.
  7.  Such other information as shall be necessary to show the condition of the affairs of the conservatorship.
[R60, §2568, 2569; C73, §2254, 2255; C97, §3203, 3204; C24, 27, §12597, 12598; C31, 35, §12597, 12598, 12644-c11; C39, §12597, 12598, 12644.11; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §668.24, 668.25, 672.11; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.671]
PART 10
COSTS AND ACCOUNTS

     
633.672  Payment of court costs in conservatorships.
  No order shall be entered approving an annual report of a conservator until the court costs which have been docketed have been paid or provided for. The court may, upon application, enter an order waiving payment of the court costs in indigent cases. However, if the conservatorship subsequently becomes financially capable of paying any waived costs, the conservator shall immediately pay the costs.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.672]
89 Acts, ch 178, §18
Referred to in §633.551

     
633.673  Court costs in guardianships.
  The ward or the ward’s estate shall be charged with the court costs of a ward’s guardianship, including the guardian’s fees and the fees of the attorney for the guardian. The court may, upon application, enter an order waiving payment of the court costs in indigent cases. However, if the ward or ward’s estate becomes financially capable of paying any waived costs, the costs shall be paid immediately.
[C97, §3222; S13, §3228-f; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §12626, 12642; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §670.14, 671.11; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.673]
89 Acts, ch 178, §19
Referred to in §633.551

     
633.674  Settlement of accounts.
  The court shall settle each account filed by a conservator by allowing or disallowing it, either in whole or in part, or by surcharging the account against the conservator.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.674]
PART 11
TERMINATION OF GUARDIANSHIPS

AND CONSERVATORSHIPS

  
     
633.675  Cause for termination.
  1.  A guardianship or a conservatorship shall terminate upon the occurrence of any of the following circumstances:
  a.  If the protected person is a minor, when the protected person reaches full age.
  b.  The death of the protected person.
  c.  Upon determination by the court that the conservatorship or guardianship is no longer necessary for any other reason.
  2.  The court shall terminate a guardianship if it finds by clear and convincing evidence that the basis for appointing a guardian pursuant to section 633.552 has not been established.
  3.  The court shall terminate a conservatorship if the court finds by clear and convincing evidence that the basis for appointing a conservator pursuant to section 633.553 or 633.554 is not satisfied.
  4.  The court shall terminate a conservatorship if it finds by clear and convincing evidence all of the following:
  a.  The value of the protected person’s property is insufficient to justify the cost of administration.
  b.  That continued administration of the conservatorship is not in the best interest of the protected person.
  c.  That a reasonable alternative exists under section 633.678 for managing the protected person’s assets.
  5.  The standard of proof and the burden of proof to be applied in a termination proceeding shall be the same as set forth in section 633.551, subsection 2.
[S13, §3228-e; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §12641; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §671.10, 672.21; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.675]
97 Acts, ch 178, §16; 2010 Acts, ch 1143, §3; 2011 Acts, ch 25, §74; 2014 Acts, ch 1048, §2; 2019 Acts, ch 57, §37, 43, 44; 2020 Acts, ch 1063, §361, 362; 2021 Acts, ch 8, §25
Referred to in §633.635, 633.637, 633.669
2019 amendment takes effect January 1, 2020, and applies to guardianships and guardianship proceedings for adults and conservatorships and conservatorship proceedings for adults and minors established or pending before, on, or after that date; 2019 Acts, ch 57, §43, 44

     
633.676  Assets exhausted.
  At any time that the assets of the ward’s estate do not exceed the amount of the charges and claims against it, the court may direct the conservator to proceed to terminate the conservatorship.
[C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §668.33; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.676]

     
633.677  Accounting to ward — notice.
  Upon the termination of a conservatorship, the conservator shall pay the costs of administration and shall render a full and complete accounting to the ward or the ward’s personal representative and to the court. Notice of the final report of a conservator shall be served on the ward or the ward’s personal representative, in accordance with section 633.40, unless notice is waived. An order prescribing notice may be made before or after the filing of the final report.
[C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §672.21; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.677; 81 Acts, ch 193, §6]

     
633.678  Delivery of assets.
  1.  Upon the termination of a conservatorship, all assets of the conservatorship shall be delivered as ordered by the court to any of the following: 
  a.  To the person or persons entitled to them.
  b.  To a custodian under a uniform transfers to minor account established for the protected person pursuant to chapter 565B or the laws of any other state.
  c.  To a custodial trustee under a uniform custodial trust account established for the protected person pursuant to chapter 633F or the laws of any other state.
  d.  To an account owner or participant under a college savings plan account established for the protected person pursuant to Internal Revenue Code section 529 or chapter 12D or the laws of any other state.
  e.  To the account owner under an ABLE account established for the protected person with disabilities pursuant to Internal Revenue Code section 529A or chapter 12I or the laws of any other state.
  2.  Delivery of the assets of an adult protected person under subsection 1, paragraphs “b” through “e”, shall have the same force and effect as if delivery had been made directly to the person or persons entitled to them. Delivery of the assets of a minor protected person under subsection 1, paragraphs “b” through “e”, shall have the same force and effect as if delivery had been made to the protected person after attaining majority.
[C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §668.33; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.678]
2021 Acts, ch 8, §26
Referred to in §633.675

  
     
633.679  Petition to terminate — request for voting rights reinstatement.
  1.  At any time after the appointment of a guardian or conservator, the person under guardianship or conservatorship may apply to the court by petition, alleging that the person is no longer a proper subject thereof, and asking that the guardianship or conservatorship be terminated.
  2.  A person under an order appointing a guardian which order found the person incompetent to vote may include a request for reinstatement of the person’s voting rights in a petition to terminate the guardianship or by filing a separate petition for modification of this determination.
[C97, §3222; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §12623; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §670.11; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.679]
89 Acts, ch 178, §20; 98 Acts, ch 1185, §11; 2010 Acts, ch 1143, §4; 2014 Acts, ch 1048, §3; 2019 Acts, ch 56, §42, 44, 45; 2020 Acts, ch 1063, §363
2019 repeal of former subsection 2 is effective January 1, 2020, and applies to guardianships and guardianship proceedings of minors established or pending before, on, or after that date; 2019 Acts, ch 56, §44, 45

     
633.680  Limit on application to terminate.
  If any petition for terminating such guardianship or conservatorship shall be denied, no other petition shall be filed therefor until at least six months shall have elapsed since the denial of the former one.
[C97, §3222; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §12627; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §670.15; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.680]

     
633.681  Exhausted or minimal assets of minor protected person.
  1.  When the assets of a minor protected person’s conservatorship are exhausted or consist of personal property only of an aggregate value not in excess of fifty thousand dollars, the court, upon application or upon its own motion, may terminate the conservatorship. The order for termination shall direct the conservator to deliver any property remaining after the payment of allowed claims and expenses of administration to a fiduciary acting under one or more of the following accounts:
  a.  A uniform transfer to minor account established for the minor pursuant to chapter 565B or the laws of any other state.
  b.  A uniform custodial trust account established for the minor pursuant to chapter 633F or the laws of any other state.
  c.  A college savings plan account established for the minor pursuant to Internal Revenue Code section 529 or chapter 12D or the laws of any other state.
  d.  An ABLE account established for the minor with disabilities pursuant to Internal Revenue Code section 529A or chapter 12I or the laws of any other state.
  2.  Such delivery shall have the same force and effect as if delivery had been made to the protected person after attaining majority.
[C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §668.33; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.681; 82 Acts, ch 1052, §3]
98 Acts, ch 1118, §2; 2005 Acts, ch 38, §30; 2021 Acts, ch 8, §27

     
633.682  Discharge of conservator and release of bond.
  Upon settlement of the final accounting of a conservator, and upon determining that the property of the ward has been delivered to the person or persons lawfully entitled thereto, the court shall discharge the conservator and exonerate the surety on the conservator’s bond.
[S13, §3228-h; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §12644; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §671.13, 672.21; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.682]
633.683 through 633.698Reserved.

SUBCHAPTER XV
UNIFORM ADULT GUARDIANSHIP AND PROTECTIVE PROCEEDINGS JURISDICTION ACT
PART 1
GENERAL PROVISIONS

  
     
633.699  Reserved.

  
     
633.699A  Modification or termination of uneconomical testamentary trust.  Repealed by 
2005 Acts, ch 38, §50
.  See §633.751, 633A.2205, 633A.5103. 

  
     
633.700  Short title.
  This subchapter shall be known and may be cited as the “Iowa Uniform Adult Guardianship and Protective Proceedings Jurisdiction Act”.
2010 Acts, ch 1086, §1, 24, 25; 2018 Acts, ch 1041, §127

  
     
633.701  Definitions.
  As used in this subchapter, unless the context otherwise requires:
  1.  “Adult” means an individual who is eighteen years of age or older.
  2.  “Conservator” means a person appointed by the court to have the custody and control of the property of an adult under the provisions of this chapter.
  3.  “Court” means, when referring to a court of this state, the district court sitting in probate with jurisdiction of conservatorships and guardianships.
  4.  “Foreign judgment” means a judgment, decree, or order of a court of the United States or of any other court that meets any of the following requirements:
  a.  Is entitled to full faith and credit in this state.
  b.  Appoints a guardian or conservator in the issuing jurisdiction.
  5.  “Guardian” means a person appointed by the court to make decisions regarding the adult under the provisions of this chapter.
  6.  “Guardianship order” means an order appointing a guardian as defined in section 633.3.
  7.  “Guardianship proceeding” means a judicial proceeding in which an order for the appointment of a guardian is sought or has been issued.
  8.  “Incapacitated person” means an adult who has been adjudged by a court to meet one of the following conditions:
  a.  Has a decision-making capacity which is so impaired that the person is unable to care for the person’s personal safety or to attend to or provide for necessities for the person such as food, shelter, clothing, or medical care, without which physical injury or illness may occur.
  b.  Has a decision-making capacity which is so impaired that the person is unable to make, communicate, or carry out important decisions concerning the person’s financial affairs.
  9.  “Party” means the respondent, petitioner, guardian, conservator, or any other person allowed by the court to participate in a guardianship or protective proceeding.
  10.  “Person” means an individual, corporation, business trust, estate, trust, partnership, limited liability company, association, joint venture, public corporation, or government; governmental subdivision, agency, or instrumentality; or any other legal or commercial entity.
  11.  “Protected person” means an adult for whom a conservatorship has been issued.
  12.  “Protective order” means an order appointing a conservator as defined in section 633.3. “Protective order” does not include protective orders issued pursuant to chapter 664A or protective orders issued pursuant to sections 235B.18 and 235B.19.
  13.  “Protective proceeding” means a judicial proceeding in which a conservatorship is sought or has been granted.
  14.  “Record” means information that is inscribed on a tangible medium or that is stored in an electronic or other medium and is retrievable in perceivable form.
  15.  “Respondent” means an adult for whom a conservatorship or guardianship is sought.
  16.  “State” means a state of the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, a federally recognized Indian tribe, or any territory or insular possession subject to the jurisdiction of the United States.
2010 Acts, ch 1086, §2, 24, 25; 2018 Acts, ch 1041, §127
Referred to in §9E.2

  
     
633.702  International application.
  A court of this state shall treat a foreign country as if it were a state of the United States for the purpose of applying this part and parts 2, 3, and 5.
2010 Acts, ch 1086, §3, 24, 25

  
     
633.703  Communication between courts.
  1.  A court of this state may communicate with a court in another state concerning a proceeding arising under this subchapter. The court may allow the parties to participate in the communication. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 2, the court shall make a record of the communication. The record may be limited to the fact that the communication occurred.
  2.  Communication between courts concerning schedules, calendars, court records, and other administrative matters may occur without making a record.
2010 Acts, ch 1086, §4, 24, 25; 2018 Acts, ch 1041, §127

     
633.704  Cooperation between courts.
  1.  In a guardianship or protective proceeding in this state, a court of this state may request the appropriate court of another state to do any of the following:
  a.  Hold an evidentiary hearing.
  b.  Order a person in the other state to produce evidence or give testimony pursuant to procedures of that state.
  c.  Order that an evaluation or assessment be made of the respondent.
  d.  Order any appropriate investigation of a person involved in a proceeding.
  e.  Forward to the court of this state a certified copy of the transcript or other record of the hearing pursuant to paragraph “a” or any other proceeding, the evidence otherwise produced pursuant to paragraph “b”, and any evaluation or assessment prepared in compliance with an order pursuant to paragraph “c” or “d”.
  f.  Issue any order necessary to assure the appearance in the proceeding of a person whose presence is necessary for the court to make a determination, including the respondent.
  g.  Issue an order authorizing the release of medical, financial, criminal, or other relevant information in that state, including protected health information as defined in 
45 C.F.R. §164.504, as amended
.
  2.  If a court of another state in which a guardianship or protective proceeding is pending requests the assistance described in subsection 1, a court of this state has jurisdiction for the limited purpose of granting the request or making reasonable efforts to comply with the request.
2010 Acts, ch 1086, §5, 24, 25; 2013 Acts, ch 90, §178
PART 2
JURISDICTION
Referred to in §633.702

     
633.705  Taking testimony in another state.
  1.  In addition to other procedures that may be available in a guardianship or protective proceeding, the testimony of a witness who is located in another state may be offered by deposition or other means allowable in this state for testimony taken in another state. The court on its own motion may order that the testimony of a witness be taken in another state and may prescribe the manner in which and the terms upon which the testimony is to be taken.
  2.  In a guardianship or protective proceeding, a court in this state may permit a witness located in another state to be deposed or to testify by telephone, audiovisual means, or other electronic means. A court of this state shall cooperate with courts of other states in designating an appropriate location for the deposition or testimony.
  3.  Documentary evidence transmitted from another state to a court of this state by technological means that do not produce an original writing shall not be excluded from evidence on an objection based on the best evidence rule.
2010 Acts, ch 1086, §6, 24, 25

     
633.706  Definitions.
  As used in this part, unless the context otherwise requires:
  1.  “Emergency” means a circumstance that likely will result in substantial harm to a respondent’s health, safety, or welfare, and for which the appointment of a guardian is necessary because no other person has authority and is willing to act on the respondent’s behalf.
  2.  “Home state” means either of the following:
  a.  The state in which the respondent was physically present, including any period of temporary absence, for at least six consecutive months immediately before the filing of a petition for a protective order or the appointment of a guardian.
  b.  The state in which the respondent was physically present, including any period of temporary absence, for at least six consecutive months ending within the six months prior to the filing of a petition for a protective order or the appointment of a guardian.
  3.  “Significant-connection state” means a state, other than the home state, with which a respondent has a significant connection other than mere physical presence and in which substantial evidence concerning the respondent is available.
2010 Acts, ch 1086, §7, 24, 25

     
633.707  Significant connection factors.
  In determining whether a respondent has a significant connection with a particular state, the court shall consider all of the following:
  1.  The location of the respondent’s family and other persons required to be notified of the guardianship or protective proceeding.
  2.  The length of time the respondent at any time was physically present in the state and the duration of any absence.
  3.  The location of the respondent’s property.
  4.  The extent to which the respondent has ties to the state such as voter registration, state or local tax return filing, vehicle registration, driver’s license, social relationships, and receipt of services.
2010 Acts, ch 1086, §8, 24, 25; 2011 Acts, ch 25, §75
Referred to in §633.716

     
633.708  Exclusive basis.
  This part provides the exclusive jurisdictional basis for a court of this state to appoint a guardian or issue a protective order for an adult.
2010 Acts, ch 1086, §9, 24, 25

     
633.709  Jurisdiction.
  A court of this state has jurisdiction to appoint a guardian or issue a protective order for a respondent if any of the following apply:
  1.  This state is the respondent’s home state.
  2.  This state is a significant-connection state and, on the date the petition is filed, any of the following apply:
  a.  The respondent does not have a home state or a court of the respondent’s home state has declined to exercise jurisdiction because this state is a more appropriate forum.
  b.  The respondent has a home state, a petition for an appointment or order is not pending in a court of that state or another significant-connection state, and, before the court makes the appointment or issues the order, all of the following apply:
  (1)  A petition for an appointment or order is not filed in the respondent’s home state.
  (2)  An objection to the court’s jurisdiction is not filed by a person required to be notified of the proceeding.
  (3)  The court in this state concludes that it is an appropriate forum under the factors set forth in section 633.712.
  3.  Either of the following apply:
  a.  This state does not have jurisdiction under either subsection 1 or 2, the respondent’s home state and all significant-connection states have declined to exercise jurisdiction because this state is the more appropriate forum, and jurisdiction in this state is consistent with the Constitution of the State of Iowa and the Constitution of the United States.
  b.  The requirements for special jurisdiction under section 633.710 are met.
2010 Acts, ch 1086, §10, 24, 25
Referred to in §633.710, 633.712, 633.713, 633.715

     
633.710  Special jurisdiction.
  1.  A court of this state lacking jurisdiction under section 633.709 has special jurisdiction to do any of the following:
  a.  Appoint a guardian in an emergency for a period not to exceed ninety days for a respondent who is physically present in this state.
  b.  Issue a protective order with respect to real or tangible personal property located in this state.
  c.  Appoint a guardian or conservator for an incapacitated or protected person for whom a provisional order to transfer the proceeding from another state has been issued under procedures similar to section 633.716.
  2.  If a petition for the appointment of a guardian in an emergency is brought in this state and this state was not the respondent’s home state on the date the petition was filed, the court shall dismiss the proceeding at the request of the court of the home state, if any, whether dismissal is requested before or after the emergency appointment.
2010 Acts, ch 1086, §11, 24, 25
Referred to in §633.709, 633.711, 633.715

     
633.711  Exclusive and continuing jurisdiction.
  Except as otherwise provided in section 633.710, a court that has appointed a guardian or issued a protective order consistent with this chapter has exclusive and continuing jurisdiction over the proceeding until terminated by the court or the appointment or order expires by its own terms.
2010 Acts, ch 1086, §12, 24, 25

     
633.712  Appropriate forum.
  1.  A court of this state with jurisdiction under section 633.709 to appoint a guardian or issue a protective order may decline to exercise its jurisdiction if it determines at any time that a court of another state is a more appropriate forum.
  2.  If a court of this state declines to exercise its jurisdiction under subsection 1, the court shall either dismiss or stay the proceeding. The court may impose any condition the court considers just and proper, including the condition that a petition for the appointment of a guardian or issuance of a protective order be filed promptly in another state.
  3.  In determining whether it is an appropriate forum, the court shall consider all of the following:
  a.  Any expressed preference of the respondent.
  b.  Whether abuse, neglect, or exploitation of the respondent has occurred or is likely to occur and which state could best protect the respondent from the abuse, neglect, or exploitation.
  c.  The length of time the respondent was physically present in or was a legal resident of this state or another state.
  d.  The distance of the respondent from the court in each state.
  e.  The financial circumstances of the respondent’s estate.
  f.  The nature and location of the evidence.
  g.  The ability of the court in each state to decide the issue expeditiously and the procedures necessary to present evidence.
  h.  The familiarity of the court of each state with the facts and issues in the proceeding.
  i.  If an appointment were to be made, the court’s ability to monitor the conduct of the guardian or conservator.
2010 Acts, ch 1086, §13, 24, 25
Referred to in §633.709, 633.713

  
     
633.713  Jurisdiction declined by reason of conduct.
  If at any time a court of this state determines that the court acquired jurisdiction to appoint a guardian or issue a protective order because of unjustifiable conduct, the court may do any of the following:
  1.  Decline to exercise jurisdiction.
  2.  Exercise jurisdiction for the limited purpose of fashioning an appropriate remedy to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of the respondent or the protection of the respondent’s property or prevent a repetition of the unjustifiable conduct, including staying the proceeding until a petition for the appointment of a guardian or issuance of a protective order is filed in a court of another state having jurisdiction.
  3.  Continue to exercise jurisdiction after considering all of the following:
  a.  The extent to which the respondent and all persons required to be notified of the proceedings have acquiesced in the exercise of the court’s jurisdiction.
  b.  Whether it is a more appropriate forum than the court of any other state under the factors set forth in section 633.712.
  c.  Whether the court of any other state would have jurisdiction under factual circumstances in substantial conformity with the jurisdictional standards of section 633.709.
  4.  If a court of this state determines that the court acquired jurisdiction to appoint a guardian or issue a protective order because a party seeking to invoke its jurisdiction engaged in unjustifiable conduct, the court may assess necessary and reasonable expenses against that party, including attorney fees, investigative fees, court costs, communication expenses, witness fees and expenses, and travel expenses. The court shall not assess fees, costs, or expenses of any kind against this state or a governmental subdivision, agency, or instrumentality of this state unless authorized by law other than this subchapter.
2010 Acts, ch 1086, §14, 24, 25; 2018 Acts, ch 1041, §127

     
633.714  Notice of proceeding.
  If a petition for the appointment of a guardian or issuance of a protective order is brought in this state and this state was not the respondent’s home state on the date the petition was filed, in addition to complying with the notice requirements of this state, notice of the petition must be given to those persons who would be entitled to notice of the petition if a proceeding were brought in the respondent’s home state. The notice must be given in the same manner as notice is required to be given in this state.
2010 Acts, ch 1086, §15, 24, 25
PART 3
TRANSFER OF GUARDIANSHIP OR CONSERVATORSHIP
Referred to in §633.702

     
633.715  Proceedings in more than one state.
  Except for a petition for the appointment of a guardian in an emergency or issuance of a protective order limited to property located in this state under section 633.710, if a petition for the appointment of a guardian or issuance of a protective order is filed in this state and in another state and neither petition has been dismissed or withdrawn, the following rules apply:
  1.  If the court in this state has jurisdiction under section 633.709, it may proceed with the case unless a court in another state acquires jurisdiction under provisions similar to section 633.709 before the appointment or issuance of the order.
  2.  If the court in this state does not have jurisdiction under section 633.709, whether at the time the petition is filed or at any time before the appointment or issuance of the order, the court shall stay the proceeding and communicate with the court in the other state. If the court in the other state has jurisdiction, the court in this state shall dismiss the petition unless the court in the other state determines that the court in this state is a more appropriate forum.
2010 Acts, ch 1086, §16, 24, 25

     
633.716  Transfer of guardianship or conservatorship to another state.
  1.  A guardian or conservator appointed in this state may petition the court to transfer the guardianship or conservatorship to another state.
  2.  Notice of a petition under subsection 1 shall be given to the persons that would be entitled to notice of a petition in this state for the appointment of a guardian or conservator.
  3.  On the court’s own motion or on request of the guardian or conservator, the incapacitated or protected person, or other person required to be notified of the petition, the court shall hold a hearing on a petition filed pursuant to subsection 1.
  4.  The court shall issue an order provisionally granting a petition to transfer a guardianship and shall direct the guardian to petition for guardianship in the other state if the court is satisfied that the guardianship will be accepted by the court in the other state and the court finds all of the following:
  a.  The incapacitated person is physically present in or is reasonably expected to move permanently to the other state.
  b.  An objection to the transfer has not been made or, if an objection has been made, the objector has not established that the transfer would be contrary to the interests of the incapacitated person.
  c.  Plans for care and services for the incapacitated person in the other state are reasonable and sufficient.
  5.  The court shall issue a provisional order granting a petition to transfer a conservatorship and shall direct the conservator to petition for conservatorship in the other state if the court is satisfied that the conservatorship will be accepted by the court of the other state and the court finds all of the following:
  a.  The protected person is physically present in or is reasonably expected to move permanently to the other state, or the protected person has a significant connection to the other state considering the factors in section 633.707.
  b.  An objection to the transfer has not been made or, if an objection has been made, the objector has not established that the transfer would be contrary to the interests of the protected person.
  c.  Adequate arrangements will be made for management of the protected person’s property.
  6.  The court shall issue a final order confirming the transfer and terminating the guardianship or conservatorship upon its receipt of all of the following:
  a.  A provisional order accepting the proceeding from the court to which the proceeding is to be transferred which is issued under provisions similar to section 633.717.
  b.  The documents required to terminate a guardianship or conservatorship in this state.
2010 Acts, ch 1086, §17, 24, 25
Referred to in §633.710, 633.717
PART 4
REGISTRATION AND RECOGNITION OF ORDERS FROM OTHER STATES

  
     
633.717  Accepting guardianship or conservatorship transferred from another state.
  1.  To confirm transfer of a guardianship or conservatorship transferred to this state under provisions similar to section 633.716, the guardian or conservator must petition the court in this state to accept the guardianship or conservatorship. The petition must include a certified copy of the other state’s provisional order of transfer.
  2.  Notice of a petition under subsection 1 must be given to those persons that would be entitled to notice if the petition were to petition for the appointment of a guardian or issuance of a protective order in both the transferring state and this state. The notice must be given in the same manner as notice is required to be given in this state.
  3.  On the court’s own motion or on request of the guardian or conservator, the incapacitated or protected person, or other person required to be notified of the proceeding, the court shall hold a hearing on a petition filed pursuant to subsection 1.
  4.  The court shall issue an order provisionally granting a petition filed under subsection 1 unless any of the following applies:
  a.  An objection is made and the objector establishes that transfer of the proceeding would be contrary to the interests of the incapacitated or protected person.
  b.  The guardian or conservator is ineligible for appointment in this state.
  5.  The court shall issue a final order accepting the proceeding and appointing the guardian or conservator as guardian or conservator in this state upon its receipt from the court from which the proceeding is being transferred of a final order issued under provisions similar to section 633.716 transferring the proceeding to this state.
  6.  Not later than ninety days after issuance of a final order accepting transfer of a guardianship or conservatorship, the court shall determine whether the guardianship or conservatorship needs to be modified to conform to the laws of this state.
  7.  Subject to subsections 4 and 6, in granting a petition under this section, the court shall recognize a guardianship or conservatorship order from the other state, including the determination of the incapacitated or protected person’s incapacity and the appointment of the guardian or conservator.
  8.  The denial by a court of this state of a petition to accept a guardianship or conservatorship transferred from another state does not affect the ability of the guardian or conservator to seek appointment as guardian or conservator in this state under section 633.551 or 633.556, if the court has jurisdiction to make an appointment other than by reason of the provisional order of transfer.
2010 Acts, ch 1086, §18, 24, 25; 2011 Acts, ch 34, §140; 2019 Acts, ch 57, §38, 43, 44
Referred to in §633.716
2019 amendment to subsection 8 takes effect January 1, 2020, and applies to guardianships and guardianship proceedings for adults and conservatorships and conservatorship proceedings for adults and minors established or pending before, on, or after that date; 2019 Acts, ch 57, §43, 44

     
633.718  Registration of guardianship orders.
  If a guardian has been appointed in another state and a petition for the appointment of a guardian is not pending in this state, the guardian appointed in the other state, after giving notice to the appointing court of an intent to register, may register the guardianship order in this state by filing as a foreign judgment in a court, in any appropriate county of this state, certified copies of the order and letters of office.
2010 Acts, ch 1086, §19, 24, 25

     
633.719  Registration of protective orders.
  If a conservator has been appointed in another state and a petition for a protective order is not pending in this state, the conservator appointed in the other state, after giving notice to the appointing court of an intent to register, may register the protective order in this state by filing as a foreign judgment in a court of this state, in any county in which property belonging to the protected person is located, certified copies of the order and letters of office and of any bond.
2010 Acts, ch 1086, §20, 24, 25
PART 5
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
Referred to in §633.702

  
     
633.720  Effect of registration.
  1.  Upon registration of a guardianship or protective order from another state, the guardian or conservator may exercise in this state all powers authorized in the order of appointment except as prohibited under the laws of this state, including maintaining actions and proceedings in this state and, if the guardian or conservator is not a resident of this state, subject to any conditions imposed upon nonresident parties.
  2.  A court of this state may grant any relief available under this subchapter and other law of this state to enforce a registered order.
2010 Acts, ch 1086, §21, 24, 25; 2018 Acts, ch 1041, §127

     
633.721  Uniformity of application and construction.
  In applying and construing this uniform Act, consideration must be given to the need to promote uniformity of the law with respect to its subject matter among states that enact it.
2010 Acts, ch 1086, §22, 24, 25

  
     
633.722  Relation to Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act.
  This subchapter modifies, limits, and supersedes the federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, 15 U.S.C. §7001 et seq., but does not modify, limit, or supersede section 101(c) of that Act, 15 U.S.C. §7001(c), or authorize electronic delivery of any of the notices described in section 103(b) of that Act, 15 U.S.C. §7003(b).
2010 Acts, ch 1086, §23 – 25; 2018 Acts, ch 1041, §127
633.723 through 633.749Reserved.

SUBCHAPTER XVI
TRUSTS

     
633.750  Powers of trustees.
  Unless it is otherwise provided by the will creating a testamentary trust, the instrument creating an express trust, or by an order or decree duly entered by a court of competent jurisdiction, a trustee shall have all the powers granted a trustee under sections 633A.4401 and 633A.4402. Documents incorporating by reference powers granted a trustee under the probate code or under this section shall be interpreted accordingly, even if the execution or adoption of the instrument creating the trust occurred prior to July 1, 2005.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.699]
97 Acts, ch 158, §45; 2005 Acts, ch 38, §31, 55; 2010 Acts, ch 1086, §25
C2011, §633.750

  
     
633.751  Applicability of law.
  The terms of this subchapter, and all other terms of this probate code relating to trusts and trustees, shall apply only to trusts that remain under continuous court supervision pursuant to section 633.10 and to trusts that have not been released from such continuous supervision pursuant to section 633.10. Regarding all such trusts, the terms of this chapter shall supersede any inconsistent terms in the trust code, chapter 633A, and such trusts shall be governed by terms of the trust code, chapter 633A, that are not inconsistent with this probate code.
2005 Acts, ch 38, §32
CS2005, §633.699B
2006 Acts, ch 1010, §156; 2010 Acts, ch 1086, §25
C2011, §633.751
2018 Acts, ch 1041, §127

     
633.752  Intermediate report of trustees.
  Unless specifically relieved from so doing by the instrument creating the trust or by order of the court, the trustee shall make a written report under oath to the court once each year within ninety days of the close of the reporting period, and more often if required by the court. Such report shall state:
  1.  The period covered by the report.
  2.  All changes in beneficiaries since the last previous report.
  3.  Any changes in investments since the last previous report, including a list of all assets, and recommendations of the trustee for the retention or disposition of any property held by the trustee.
  4.  A detailed accounting for all cash receipts and disbursements, and for all property of the trust, unless such accounting shall be waived in writing by all beneficiaries.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.700]
2005 Acts, ch 3, §105; 2007 Acts, ch 134, §18, 28; 2008 Acts, ch 1032, §87; 2010 Acts, ch 1086, §25
C2011, §633.752
Referred to in §633.753

     
633.753  Final report of trustee.
  Upon the partial or total termination of a trust, or upon the transfer of the trusteeship due to resignation, removal, dissolution, or other disqualification of the trustee of any trust pending in court, the trustee shall make a final report to the court, showing for the period since the filing of the last report the facts required for an intermediate report; provided, however, that unless specifically required by the court to do so, the trustee shall not in any event, be required to report such facts for any period of time as to which the trustee has, under any of the provisions of section 633.752, been expressly relieved from reporting. In any event, the final report of the trustee shall include the following:
  1.  The name and last known address of each beneficiary.
  2.  A statement as to those beneficiaries who are known to be minors or under any other legal disability.
  3.  Distributions made or to be made to each beneficiary at the time of such termination.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.701]
2010 Acts, ch 1086, §25
C2011, §633.753
Referred to in §633.755

     
633.754  Notice of application for discharge.
  No final report of a trustee of a trust pending in court shall be approved, and no such trustee shall be discharged from further duty or responsibility upon final settlement, until notice of the trustee’s application for discharge shall have been served upon all persons interested, in accordance with section 633.40, unless notice is waived. An order prescribing notice may be made before or after the filing of the final report.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.702]
2010 Acts, ch 1086, §25
C2011, §633.754

     
633.755  Discharge.
  Upon final settlement of a trust, an order shall be entered discharging the trustee from further duties and responsibilities. The order approving the final report shall constitute a waiver of the omission from the final report of any of the recitals required in section 633.753.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §633.703]
2010 Acts, ch 1086, §25
C2011, §633.755
633.756 through 633.1100Reserved.

SUBCHAPTER XVII
IOWA TRUST CODE
633.1101 through 633.6308Reserved.

633.7101  Division prevails.  Repealed by 
2005 Acts, ch 38, §50
.  See §633A.1107.