Regaining Control of a Deceased Parent’s Bank and Credit Accounts in Iowa
How to Regain Control of a Deceased Parent's Bank and Credit Card Accounts in Iowa Detailed answer — what to do right now and what the law says When a person dies, their financial accounts do not automatically transfer to others unless there is a named surviving owner, a payable‑on‑death (POD) or transfer‑on‑death (TOD) designation, […]
Read article →Iowa — Securing and Inventorying a Deceased Relative's Home Before Appointment as Administrator
Detailed Answer This section explains practical, legal, and procedural steps you can take in Iowa to secure a decedent's house and inventory belongings while you wait for formal appointment as the estate's administrator. This is a general guide based on Iowa probate law and common practice. It is not legal advice. Immediate legal background (very […]
Read article →What Happens After the 90‑Day Waiting Period for an Unclaimed Property Claim in Iowa
Understanding the Next Steps After the 90‑Day Waiting Period for an Iowa Unclaimed Property Claim This FAQ explains what typically happens after the Treasurer’s office completes a 90‑day review period for an unclaimed property claim in Iowa, what outcomes you can expect, and what to do next. This is educational information only—not legal advice. Detailed […]
Read article →Iowa — How to Get Appointed Administrator of a Parent’s Estate When There Is No Will
Detailed answer — How the appointment process works in Iowa when someone dies without a will Short overview: If your father died intestate (without a valid will), the Iowa district court in the county where he lived will appoint a personal representative (called an “administrator”) to manage the estate, pay debts, and distribute assets under […]
Read article →Iowa: How Children Inherit Without a Will — Order of Succession Explained
How Iowa Law Determines Children's Shares When Someone Dies Without a Will Detailed answer — how succession among children works in Iowa When a person dies intestate (without a valid will) in Iowa, the Iowa Code governs who inherits the estate and in what proportions. The core rule is simple: children are primary heirs, and […]
Read article →How to Get Court Approval to Sell a House and Pay Off the Mortgage in Iowa
Detailed Answer Disclaimer: This is general information and not legal advice. Laws change and every case is different. Consult a licensed Iowa attorney for advice about your specific situation. Overview — When a court must approve selling real estate in Iowa In Iowa, you usually need court approval to sell a decedent’s real property or […]
Read article →Iowa: Can Payable-on-Death (POD) Accounts Be Used to Pay Estate Creditors?
Detailed Answer — How Payable-on-Death (POD) Accounts Work and Creditor Claims under Iowa Law Short answer: In Iowa, payable-on-death (POD) accounts generally pass directly to the named beneficiary outside of probate, so they are not automatically part of the probate estate that a personal representative uses to pay creditor claims. That said, there are important […]
Read article →Iowa — How to Open an Estate Bank Account Using the Estate EIN
How to Open an Iowa Estate Bank Account Using the Estate’s EIN This FAQ-style guide explains, step by step, how a personal representative can obtain and use an IRS Employer Identification Number (EIN) to open an estate bank account in Iowa. This is educational information only and is not legal advice. Detailed answer: steps to […]
Read article →Iowa — How Late Creditor Claims (After the 90‑Day Notice) Are Handled
Detailed Answer When a decedent’s estate gives the required notice to creditors in Iowa, most unsecured creditors must present their claims to the personal representative (executor or administrator) within the published or mailed notice period. If a creditor waits until after the 90-day notice period has passed, the claim is commonly treated as "barred" unless […]
Read article →Claiming Your Share of a Parent's Estate in Iowa When There Is No Will
What to do to claim your share of a parent’s estate in Iowa when there is no will Short answer: If your mother died without a will in Iowa, her estate will be distributed under Iowa's intestacy laws. To claim your share you generally must identify the assets, determine whether probate or a small‑estate transfer […]
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