An executor’s guide to probate in Iowa
Our new workbook explains probate for executors and administrators and offers a step-by-step rundown of the process.
Serving as an estate’s executor is a great responsibility. If you were nominated in your loved one’s will, it means they recognized your capability to manage their affairs. If your loved one died without a will, we can guide you through the process of becoming an administrator and closing the estate.
It’s common to feel anxious or bewildered about what being an executor entails. At first, the probate process can seem overwhelming — especially since you are grieving for your loved one or providing support to other grieving family members and friends. And that initial stress will only compound without someone to guide you through the process and give you a clear idea of what to expect.
That’s where Hope Wood, JD comes in. Our goal is to put your mind at ease, prepare you for your responsibilities, provide ongoing guidance, and handle all the legal details.
With Hope Wood, JD as your legal representative — and with our free Executor Workbook in your toolbox — you can feel confident that you’ll fulfill your loved one’s wishes and serve your family and the other beneficiaries with distinction.
What is probate?
Probate is a court-supervised procedure for transferring the assets of a deceased person if those assets don’t transfer by law or contract.
Under Iowa law, certain assets must go through probate. A few examples include:
A house with a single owner
Single ownership bank accounts with no payable-on-death certificate
Investment accounts with no named beneficiary
Learn more about what circumstances require probate in Iowa.
Due to the legal requirements, probate is a complex process of specific steps required by statutes, regardless of the size of the estate. There are also specific tax filings and notices to creditors that must be completed according to Iowa probate laws. Probate is rarely completed without an attorney, and some counties will require you to retain one.
What is an executor?
An executor is a person appointed by the court to administer the estate of a decedent who has a valid last will and testament (testate estate). The court will give preference to the executor named in the decedent’s will.
The term “administrator" is used for someone appointed by the court to administer the estate when there isn’t a last will and testament (intestate estate).
The term “personal representative” applies to both administrators and executors.
When you’re named the executor or administrator of an estate, you play a crucial role in the probate process. You serve as a representative for the deceased — ensuring that their intentions are fulfilled and that their beneficiaries and heirs receive their inheritance.
By staying organized and working closely with your attorney, you can help the estate close as fast as possible — reducing your workload and offering peace of mind to all the beneficiaries.
What is the Executor Workbook?
Hope Wood, JD created the Executor Workbook as a reference for Iowa Probate Administration to benefit our clients. This handy guide outlines the most common things an executor or administrator needs to know about the probate process.
When you hire Hope Wood, JD as your probate attorney, you’ll receive a coil-bound copy of our step-by-step guide in the mail, and as a downloadable PDF.
The workbook addresses common questions and walks you through the probate process in advance — outlining what not to do and what you can get started on right away.
What does the workbook cover?
The Executor Workbook outlines each step of the probate process — including what’s expected of you as executor/administrator and what our legal team will take care of.
You’ll learn about potential compensation for your role as executor/administrator and what you need to collect for the estate inventory.
The workbook also explains the estate’s tax filing obligations, which may include the deceased’s final personal income tax return and any Iowa Inheritance Tax implications.
Here’s a list of what our Executor Workbook covers:
Getting started
Rules for the executor or administrator
Opening an estate
The estate inventory
Administrator compensation
Filing taxes
Creditor claims
Accounting of estate assets
Final report
What is Hope Wood’s approach to probate?
Hope Wood, JD
With compassion and respect as our guiding values, our goal is to help grieving families in Iowa close their loved ones’ estate smoothly and affordably.
When you work with Hope Wood, JD and her team for probate administration, you can expect:
Reasonable fees, disclosed before you hire us
The estate to open as soon as possible
The estate to close as soon as all the statutory requirements have been completed
Comprehensive, customized guidance throughout the process
Easy-to-follow instructions that explain the legal jargon
Timely responses to emails and other communications
Access to your attorney and the ability to schedule calls (We don’t charge by the call or email)
You don’t have to take our word for it. Here’s what one of our clients had to say about his experience.
“Hope did a great job handling the estate for my father ... Her knowledge and expertise showed up in all aspects of the process, which made a very difficult situation simple and easy. She is a true professional who made a difference for me and my family.”
What should an executor expect during the probate process?
Michelle Christen, JD
If you hire Hope Wood, JD for your loved one’s estate, you’ll have an expert guide to help you navigate the probate process, answer your questions, provide an upfront fee estimate and timeline, and get the estate closed as soon as possible.
Here’s a brief overview of the probate process from an executor’s perspective:
Complete a 10-minute probate form.
Receive your free consultation with one of our attorneys, Hope or Michelle.
Sign the engagement letter from Hope Wood, JD, which lists the services to be provided and the associated fees.
Review the Executor Workbook, which will be mailed to your home.
Get appointed as executor/administrator by the court, using documents created by our legal team.
Provide the necessary information or work closely with our team to prepare the estate inventory.
View the final report prepared by our legal team.
Upon court approval, the estate will close.
How do I learn more?
Choosing a probate attorney is a big decision. We want you to make an informed choice, so we’ve got lots of resources for you to learn more about probate in general and our firm in particular.
Check out our Probate FAQs.
Learn what you might pay for probate. Hope Wood, JD is different from other firms because we charge a flat fee for our services. You’ll know in advance what the process will cost — before you hire us.
See what other executors had to say about working with us.
Check out more blog posts on probate topics:
Do I have to pay for a consultation?
No, we want you to meet us beforehand, so that you can make an informed decision on whether to hire our firm. Plus, we want to hear about your situation and any frustrations you’ve encountered so far.
Once you’re ready to speak to one of our attorneys, spend about 10 minutes completing an online intake form with information about the estate. Then we’ll contact you to set up our first conversation — no strings attached!
