What steps do I need to take to re-record or update a joint survivorship deed after co-owners died (Iowa)
FAQ: How do I re-record or update a joint survivorship deed after co-owners died in Iowa? Not legal advice: This article explains general Iowa law and common steps. Consult a licensed Iowa attorney for advice about your situation. Detailed Answer — How title usually passes and the steps to update the public record When one […]
Read article →What can I do if the personal representative sends me a payment without explaining how he calculated my share of the estate? — IA
What to do when a personal representative sends a payment without explaining how they calculated your share It is common for beneficiaries or heirs to receive a distribution check from a personal representative (executor or administrator) without detail about how that amount was calculated. Under Iowa law, a personal representative has fiduciary duties to the […]
Read article →What documentation is required to prove I'm the next of kin and qualify as administrator in a reopened estate in IA
Detailed Answer — What documents prove next of kin and qualify you as an administrator when reopening an Iowa estate Reopening a closed probate estate in Iowa and asking the court to appoint you as administrator requires two linked showings: (1) proof of the decedent’s death and the historical probate file; and (2) proof that […]
Read article →What steps do I need to take when the original estate administrator has died before completing the probate — Iowa (IA)
What to do if the original estate administrator dies before probate is finished in Iowa Quick answer: If the court-appointed administrator of an Iowa estate dies before closing the estate, you should promptly notify the probate court, file the administrator’s death certificate, and ask the court to appoint a successor (either a permanent successor administrator […]
Read article →How can I reopen my father's closed estate in Iowa so I can be appointed as administrator?
Reopening a Closed Estate in Iowa so You Can Be Appointed Administrator Not legal advice. This article explains general Iowa procedures only. Consult a licensed Iowa attorney or the probate court for advice about your situation. Detailed answer — how reopening an estate and appointment work in Iowa If your father’s estate was previously opened […]
Read article →What happens if the survey shows the property was conveyed out of my mother’s estate decades ago and I have no interest? (IA)
What happens if a survey shows the property was conveyed out of my mother’s estate decades ago? Short answer: If a recorded deed shows the property left your mother’s estate decades ago, you most likely no longer have a legal ownership interest. But the full answer depends on the documents, whether the conveyance was valid, […]
Read article →How do I get the probate court’s permission to sell the property when the clerk won’t explain the filing requirements? (IA)
Getting Court Authorization to Sell Estate Property in Iowa When a decedent’s real property sits in probate, a personal representative (executor or administrator) usually needs the court’s permission to sell it. Clerks can point you to forms and filing fees but cannot give legal advice. This guide explains the practical steps to obtain court approval […]
Read article →What steps do I need to follow as executor to sell real property to pay estate debts in Iowa?
Detailed Answer — Selling Estate Real Property in Iowa to Pay Debts Short answer: As executor (personal representative) in Iowa you must confirm your authority to sell, follow probate steps (appointment, inventory, creditor notice), get either authority in the will or a court order to sell, market and sell the property, use sale proceeds to […]
Read article →Can I recover personal items that heirs removed from the house before I took possession and enforce the court’s order? — IA
Can I recover personal items heirs removed from the house before I took possession and enforce the court’s order? Detailed Answer — What Iowa law allows and what to do next Short answer: Maybe. Under Iowa procedures you can often compel return of personal property taken in violation of a court order or obtain money […]
Read article →Can heirs of a deceased sibling be included in a partition action in IA?
Can heirs of a deceased sibling be included in a partition action in Iowa? Short answer: Yes — if your deceased sibling owned an interest in the property at issue, their heirs or the personal representative of their estate generally must be included in a partition action. You add them by identifying the proper legal […]
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