Short answer

If a decedent’s will seems outdated, you must first confirm which will (if any) is legally effective under Iowa law, open probate or reopen the estate in the Iowa district court, and obtain formal appointment as the personal representative (letters testamentary or letters of administration). Those court documents give you the authority lenders, title companies, and buyers typically require to sell real estate. In some situations the estate or the court must specifically authorize a sale. If the will is ambiguous or contested, you should consult an attorney before selling.

Detailed answer — step‑by‑step under Iowa law

1) Determine whether the will is valid or has been superseded

Start by locating all known testamentary documents (wills and codicils). Under Iowa law a later valid will revokes an earlier will. If you have a later executed will or codicil, that later document usually controls. If you can’t find a later will, the earlier will may still be the operative instrument. If you suspect the will was destroyed, revoked, or that a later will exists, expect the court or interested persons (heirs and beneficiaries) to examine evidence and possibly litigate the issue.

2) Open probate or present the will to the district court

File the will with the clerk of the district court in the county where the decedent lived and file a petition to admit the will to probate and to appoint the personal representative. If the decedent died without a valid will, someone must file for administration under the intestacy rules. For Iowa’s statutory framework for probating wills and administration, see Iowa Code Chapter 633: Iowa Code Chapter 633 (Wills and Administration).

3) Obtain appointment and official proof of authority

After the court admits the will, it issues letters testamentary; if there is no will, the court issues letters of administration. These letters (often a certified copy) are the formal proof of your authority as personal representative. Provide those documents to the title company, closing agent, and any lender to show you can act for the estate.

4) Check whether you must get a court order to sell real estate

Personal representatives commonly have broad powers to manage estate property, but whether they can sell real estate without further court approval depends on several things:

• If the will expressly grants the personal representative power to sell real property, that grant may allow a sale without separate court order.
• If the estate needs to sell property to pay debts, taxes, or for proper administration, the personal representative may have statutory authority or may ask the court for an order approving the sale.
• If beneficiaries unanimously consent in writing and the title company accepts that consent along with letters, the sale may proceed without an additional court hearing in some cases.
• If the will is contested, if a surviving spouse claims homestead/exemption rights, or if the property is subject to distribution disputes, the court will likely need to authorize the sale.

Because the exact powers and procedural requirements are set by the Iowa probate statutes and local court practice, review the relevant probate code and court rules in Chapter 633 and consult local counsel when in doubt: Iowa Code Chapter 633.

5) Clear liens, handle homestead and family rights, and give required notices

Before closing a sale you must address mortgages, tax liens, and mechanic’s liens. Iowa law recognizes protections for surviving spouses and minor children (e.g., homestead and allowances). Give required notices to heirs and creditors and allow statutory time for claims. If a homestead or family allowance claim exists, the court may require resolution before a sale can be approved.

6) Use the right documents at closing

Typically a title company or closing agent will require a certified copy of the probate order and letters, an estate tax clearance if applicable, and either a court order authorizing sale or proof that the personal representative has the power to sell (from the will or statutes). If the buyer or lender requires additional comfort, the court can enter an order specifically approving the sale and directing the county recorder to accept the deed.

7) Alternatives in limited situations — small estate or heirship affidavits

If the estate is small or the property interest is limited, Iowa law offers simplified transfer procedures (small‑estate provisions or affidavits) that may avoid full probate. These mechanisms have strict limits and procedural requirements. See Iowa Code Chapter 635 for transfers without administration: Iowa Code Chapter 635. Do not rely on a small‑estate shortcut without confirming eligibility.

8) When heirs disagree or the will is ambiguous

If beneficiaries or heirs contest the will’s validity, interpretation, or the proposed sale, the personal representative should seek a court determination before attempting to sell. A sale completed while suit is pending may be set aside or expose the personal representative to liability.

9) Practical tip for buyers, lenders, and title companies

Most title companies will insist on seeing certified letters and one of the following: (a) a court order approving the sale, (b) clear statutory power in the will or probate code, or (c) proof that all necessary parties consent. Expect the title company to require an updated title search and to account for mortgage payoffs and liens at closing.

Helpful hints — checklist before attempting to sell estate property in Iowa

• Locate all wills and codicils. Confirm whether a later will exists that might revoke or change an earlier will.
• File the will and petition for probate in the district court where the decedent lived. Obtain certified letters testamentary or letters of administration.
• Provide certified letters and the court probate decree to the title company, buyer, and lender.
• Ask whether the will expressly grants the power to sell real estate. If not, be prepared to request court approval of the sale.
• Check for mortgages, tax liens, judgments and address them before closing.
• Confirm whether the estate qualifies for small‑estate transfer procedures (Chapter 635) and use them only when appropriate.
• If any party objects, or if the will or ownership is unclear, request a court order before selling to avoid later disputes and personal liability.
• Keep detailed inventories, accountings, and records of offers and communications. Courts look for documentation that the sale was fair and for the benefit of the estate.
• Consider consulting an Iowa probate attorney early—especially if the will is old or family relationships may lead to disputes.