Iowa Probate Cost Calculator, Free & Fast

Q: Is the fee based on the estate after debts?

No. The 6/4/2% schedule uses the gross probate inventory - debts are not deducted. A $250,000 home with a $200,000 mortgage still counts as $250,000 for the fee. Only non-probate assets (joint property, POD/TOD, life insurance to a named beneficiary) are excluded, because they never enter the probate inventory.

How probate costs work in Iowa

Iowa runs probate as a docket within the District Court under Chapter 633 — Polk (Des Moines), Linn (Cedar Rapids), Scott, Johnson and the rest. Iowa is one of the few states that sets a statutory percentage schedule for fees, and it applies that schedule to both the executor and the attorney. It also has no death tax after repealing its inheritance tax in 2025.

1. Executor fee — statutory schedule (a ceiling)

Iowa Code § 633.197: a reasonable fee not exceeding 6% of the first $1,000, 4% of the next $4,000, and 2% of everything over $5,000 of the gross probate inventory. That's $220 on the first $5,000, then 2% above. Life insurance and other non-probate assets are excluded; debts are not deducted.

It's a maximum — the court can allow less, and must still find the amount reasonable. A $500,000 estate caps at $10,120. Family executors often waive the fee, since it's taxable income while an inheritance is not.

2. Attorney fee — the same schedule, stacked

Iowa Code § 633.198: the attorney for the personal representative gets a reasonable fee not exceeding the same 6/4/2% schedule. This is separate from the executor fee — an estate can pay both at the schedule, so the ordinary fee is roughly double the schedule (about $20,240 on a $500,000 estate). Extraordinary services can earn more under § 633.199.

3. Court cost — 0.2% of the probate estate

Iowa Code § 633.31: the clerk collects a court cost of 0.2% (two-tenths of one percent) of the value of the probate assets in the report and inventory, plus small clerk fees. It's not charged on non-probate assets (joint tenancy, POD/TOD, life insurance to beneficiaries, out-of-state real estate). On a $500,000 probate estate that's $1,000.

4. No Iowa death tax

No inheritance or estate tax: Iowa repealed its inheritance tax for deaths on or after January 1, 2025 (phased out 2021–2024), and abolished its estate tax in 2005. So a 2025-or-later death owes no Iowa death tax. Only the federal estate tax can apply, above the federal exemption (currently around $15 million, indexed for inflation).

5. When probate can be simplified in Iowa

Small estate affidavit (Iowa Code § 633.356) — personal property of $100,000 or less (raised from $50,000, effective July 1, 2026), no real property, 40 days after death.
Small estate administration (Chapter 635) — a simplified process for estates up to $200,000.
Joint tenancy, POD/TOD, living trust — bypass probate entirely.

Cost component	Iowa figure	Source
Executor fee	6/4/2% schedule (ceiling)	§ 633.197
Attorney fee	Same 6/4/2% schedule (separate)	§ 633.198
Court cost	0.2% of probate assets	§ 633.31
Small estate affidavit	$100,000 personal property	§ 633.356
Inheritance / estate tax	None (repealed 2025 / 2005)	Iowa Dept. of Revenue

Iowa probate cost — frequently asked questions

How much does probate cost in Des Moines / Cedar Rapids?

The fee schedule, the 0.2% court cost and the no-death-tax rule are statewide; only the county District Court differs. In Polk (Des Moines), Linn (Cedar Rapids), Scott or Johnson, a $500,000 estate caps at $10,120 executor + $10,120 attorney + $1,000 court cost + publication, roughly $21,500 total — though family executors often waive their fee, cutting it substantially.

Is the fee based on the estate after debts?

No. The 6/4/2% schedule uses the gross probate inventory — debts are not deducted. A $250,000 home with a $200,000 mortgage still counts as $250,000 for the fee. Only non-probate assets (joint property, POD/TOD, life insurance to a named beneficiary) are excluded, because they never enter the probate inventory.

Why do the executor and attorney fees stack?

Iowa treats them as two separate costs of administration. Section 633.197 caps the executor's ordinary fee at the 6/4/2% schedule, and 633.198 caps the attorney's ordinary fee at the same schedule. Both can be allowed, so the combined ordinary fee is about double the schedule — one reason Iowa probate can feel expensive on paper, before any waiver.

Does Iowa still have an inheritance tax?

No. Iowa fully repealed its inheritance tax for deaths on or after January 1, 2025, after phasing it down from 2021 to 2024, and it has had no estate tax since 2005. Deaths before that phase-out completed may still owe tax at the historical phased rate, but any death after the repeal owes no Iowa death tax.

How long does probate take in Iowa?

A simple estate often takes 6–9 months; the average is 9–15 months, driven by the 4-month creditor claim period and the required income-tax acquittance before closing.

This calculator provides an estimate for general guidance only and is not legal, tax, or financial advice. Iowa sets a statutory fee schedule (Iowa Code § 633.197: 6% of the first $1,000, 4% of the next $4,000, 2% over $5,000 of the gross probate inventory) as a ceiling for the executor, and § 633.198 applies the same ceiling to the attorney — both are court-approved and can be less. The court cost is 0.2% of probate assets (§ 633.31). The small estate affidavit limit is $100,000 of personal property (§ 633.356, effective July 1, 2026). Iowa has no inheritance tax (repealed for deaths on or after January 1, 2025) and no estate tax. Confirm current figures with the District Court or a licensed Iowa attorney before acting.